Looking for a safe southern suburb with good schools.

[My Kind Of Town]

[quote=drss01;38471707]

Originally Posted by My Kind Of Town

Done beating this dead horse with you dude. I have no issue with munster. I was raised there. I personally just don't like NWI from a aesthetic /feel point of view, a different topic entirely.

The taxes is not a frankfort unique phenomenon.

Here is Orland park, cook county, massive retail for prop tax base

5k on taxes for 200 grand.

Here's downers grove, near train station. 200k
4k prop tax

http://www.redfin.com/IL/Downers-Gro.../home/18016448

http://www.redfin.com/IL/Orland-Park.../home/13022381

Naperville, 200k prop tax ~$4500
http://www.redfin.com/IL/Naperville/.../home/18071745

Ok so you found a few examples with similar tax rates on individual homes throughout the Chicagoland area but it doesn't change my opinion that I still think it's insane to pay close to $5k on taxes for a house valued under $200k. I think with OP's stated budget, they can find much better value outside of Frankfort. Of course, it's their decision whether they are willing to forgo a traditional "walkable" core for a nicer home at a lower overall cost. Is this core worth an extra $250/month in property taxes and a less updated/home in greater need of repair? I'm sure these are the questions their realtor is asking and only they can answer since everyone holds different priorities.

[drss01]

[quote=My Kind Of Town;38473004]

Originally Posted by drss01

Ok so you found a few examples with similar tax rates on individual homes throughout the Chicagoland area but it doesn't change my opinion that I still think it's insane to pay close to $5k on taxes for a house valued under $200k. I think with OP's stated budget, they can find much better value outside of Frankfort. Of course, it's their decision whether they are willing to forgo a traditional "walkable" core for a nicer home at a lower overall cost. Is this core worth an extra $250/month in property taxes and a less updated/home in greater need of repair? I'm sure these are the questions their realtor is asking and only they can answer since everyone holds different priorities.

sure. Indiana is bottom line cheaper then IL. OP needs to decide on that. as far as her original question, I think she has a decent set of places recommended.. including Frankfort.

[My Kind Of Town]

It's right at the 30-min commute threshold but I would take a long look at Bourbonnais. Very affordable, good schools, growing community, neat downtown area centered around the university/Bears training camp, much cheaper property taxes...This of course would add time to any potential trips to downtown Chicago but if adding 30 minutes to the downtown commute isn't a big issue, I think it's a very good option.

[WildWestDude]

NW Indiana is a no brainer for you. As mentioned, Dyer is a good choice and the closest to what you want