Family-friendly suburbs 45 min or less commute to Wrigley area? (Chicago: house, middle school)

[MayaLucy]

We may move to the Chicago area. We have 4 children; good public schools are a must. Home price 450-ish for 4 bedroom. Does such a thing exist within a 45 minute commute to the Wrigley Field area?

Thanks!

[MSchemist80]

Perhaps Evanston/Wilmette. ~45 minute trip on the purple/red line CTA will get you there.

[4122]

You can't a 4 bed home that can fit a family your size in Evanston or Wilmette for $450k. You could look at Skokie. Schools aren't bad and it's right next to Evanston, so you're not far from the CTA if you wanted to take the train. Lincolnwood is more expensive than Skokie, but cheaper than Evanston/Wilmette. Schools in Lincolnwood are good and it's right next to Chicago.

[ninjamyst]

You can also consider Edgebrook if you want a suburb feel but still be close to the city. It's right next to the highway and there's a Metra station there too.

[MayaLucy]

Hello, revisiting this thread once again. We're really considering the Wilmette area. I'm seeing several homes listed 450k-500k that are 3 bedrooms (plus often finished basement, etc) in Wilmette/Winnetka/Northern Evanston areas. What am I missing? Are we out of price range if we are 500k or less for 3 bedrooms+? Are those homes listed most likely money pits or in bad areas?

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by MayaLucy

Hello, revisiting this thread once again. We're really considering the Wilmette area. I'm seeing several homes listed 450k-500k that are 3 bedrooms (plus often finished basement, etc) in Wilmette/Winnetka/Northern Evanston areas. What am I missing? Are we out of price range if we are 500k or less for 3 bedrooms+? Are those homes listed most likely money pits or in bad areas?

I suppose you could try to play-up the retro aspects of some of the funky split levels, or maybe decide to head to Ikea for flat-pack cabinets and modern appliance, but there are risks...

Take at look at this place: https://www.redfin.com/IL/Wilmette/4.../home/13776208


It is very likely safe, in terms of being "leak free" and reasonably close to current code. It probably won't see excessive "downward price pressure" as the land value is kind of a floor where a tear down can be slammed onto the lot and sold for something like double (unless the wheels come off the whole train due to Illinois budget crisis, which is more and more a real likelihood...) BUT the things that make further east parts of Wilmette far more desirable are NEVER going to be possible in that part of town. Being close to the Edens is not desirable in the way that being close to Metra or CTA is. You won't be close to the beaches. You won't be able to walk to spots "in town" for a coffee, or yoga, you won't bump into other young parents strolling around the walkable shopping districts... It is mostly a "car dependant" part of town.

Mind you, many of these things are NOT important to the families that value the high quality schools of Wilmette, especially the high achieving immigrants -- something to consider, but not a deal killer...

The are folks that do "take the plunge" and decide to trick out a tired split-level with "magazine quality" kitchens , baths, backyard, etc, but they do it either knowing FULL WELL that when do decide to list / move, they WILL NOT be able to recoup the same value they could if those same renovations were in a one of those perfectly laid out traditional homes where "vintage charm" is married to "modern convenience" OR they try to list it at a grossly unrealistic price in the hope that find some fool with more money than brains...

Fact is there are similar "bargains" in nearly every nice suburb, but it may mean having an expressway at the end of your driveway, or maybe being right on a major thoroughfare. It is all about priorities.

[MayaLucy]

Thanks for the feedback so far. I will also look at the other areas suggested.

Yes, our priorities are good schools. A non-charming home is ok with us...but perhaps not an expressway at the end of our driveway.

[ToriaT]

You might look at Skokie or Park Ridge as well. The house Chet posted above would take thousands upon thousands of dollars to update. Of course you could play up the retro and keep it as it is as some love the mid century vibe.

[MayaLucy]

Another aspect of our situation--my oldest will be entering high school next school year. So being zoned for a good high school is a must. I'm not just looking at the elementary and middle school level.

Thanks for all your help. :-)

[4122]

Originally Posted by MayaLucy

Hello, revisiting this thread once again. We're really considering the Wilmette area. I'm seeing several homes listed 450k-500k that are 3 bedrooms (plus often finished basement, etc) in Wilmette/Winnetka/Northern Evanston areas. What am I missing? Are we out of price range if we are 500k or less for 3 bedrooms+? Are those homes listed most likely money pits or in bad areas?

You can get a 3 bed house in Wilmette/Winnetka/Evanston, but they're typically no more than 2000 sq ft. There's no bad areas of Wilmette or Winnetka, but there are areas more affordable than others (away from the lake), Evanston does have some sketchy areas (by ETHS and bordering Chicago). I would also look at Northfield, Glencoe, Glenview, and Highland Park.

Northfield- most affordable in the NT district, yet still very pretty area like Winnetka, East Wilmette, North and East Evanston. The only sides is that there's not many parks and many of the streets don't have sidewalks, but it has good access to other towns unlike other North shore towns.

Glenview- Many beautiful areas especially East Glenview. Part of Glenview is in the NT district, but even if you're in the Glenbrook South boundaries, Glenbrook South is still an excellent school and although it's smaller than NT and ETHS, GBS offers around just as many class options as NT and ETHS

Glencoe- Similar to Winnetka but on a smaller scale, more affordable than Winnetka and is about as affordable as East Wilmette. Also, in the NT district.

HP- on the lake and very pretty and charming area with a great downtown. Not in the NT district, but HPHS is still and excellent school. It's also the most affordable out of al of the towns because it's further up north.