Suburbs with best value proposition (Chicago, Aurora: home builder, high schools, universities)

[fusillirob1983]

Originally Posted by nana053

Yes, you are better off using the Niche ratings.

https://www.niche.com/k12/search/bes...ls/s/illinois/

I'm not too familiar with the niche rankings. I'd suggest looking at the Illinois Report Card website for the raw stats as others here had referred to me.

[damba]

Originally Posted by nana053

Yes, you are better off using the Niche ratings.

https://www.niche.com/k12/search/bes...ls/s/illinois/

The problem with niche is they appear to penalize based on lack of diversity. Silly.

[chicagocpa22]

Thanks for the discussion so far. As it relates to school ratings, I'm not sure why anyone would want to rely on "expert" ranking systems who use arbitrary criteria in their point system. I think everyone should develop their own criteria based on the needs and path of their children. I don't personally have kids yet, but these are the criteria I use when evaluating public schools: 1) breakdown of ACT scores, 2) colleges students attend (I specifically look at if the school is a good feeder into UIUC and if any kids whatsoever get into Ivy's. I don't particularly care for Ivy's - it's just more of a data point to get a sense of the student body), 3) Other less important factors (i.e. % of students in AP classes, level of instruction in computers, etc.)

My personal take is that there are good value areas where the high school's have average ACT scores of around ~25 or so. Once you get into areas where the ACT averages jump to ~28 or so, the house prices and taxes become pretty expensive, the level of competition in the schools spike, and the areas in general are known for trying to 'Keep up with the the Jones.' I personally went to a school where the average ACT was around 22-23; at this scoring level, approximately half of the students seemed disinterested in academics as they were planning on becoming fireman or other city workers (not that there is anything wrong with that path).

Before anyone criticizes the above, I'm well aware that there are limitations with my approach and it is extremely biased based on my experiences. I'm also aware there are exceptions to my sweeping generalizations.

[aga412]

Originally Posted by chet everett

Parts of West Chicago that are served by St. Charles have long been one of the "little secret" for folks who like the access to DuPage and Kane Counties Forest Preserves, easy commute to Fermi Lab and the more respected schools of St. Charles at a nice price of entry...

Welp, guess I let the cat out of the bag...

[Kmanshouse]

I would avoid Plainfield. The property taxes are exorbitant, and when you add them to the home prices, you might as well live in a middle-of-the-road Naperville neighborhood, where you have better schools and better access to everything.

Lisle was my instant reaction, and I see that is true of others.

While We-Go is improving (I mean it had one direction it could go), it is surrounded by so many other better towns that it will likely always have "that" reputation. The high school is woefully uncompetitive in athletics, to the point it's a joke when they are on the schedule. So if you do live there, aim for those areas feeding into other high schools if you can.

I hope Westmont gets there. Again bordered by a couple of nicer towns and a bit "rougher", but the location is excellent.

Roselle was a good suggestion, as is Bloomingdale, right next to it.

[RJA29]

Reading through this, it seems that every suburb from LG to Naperville (on the BNSF) is either desirable or underrated. Is that the consensus? Is it the same for other Metra lines?

[BIG CATS]

Originally Posted by Kmanshouse

While We-Go is improving (I mean it had one direction it could go), it is surrounded by so many other better towns that it will likely always have "that" reputation. The high school is woefully uncompetitive in athletics, to the point it's a joke when they are on the schedule. So if you do live there, aim for those areas feeding into other high schools if you can.

I was under the impression they had a decent swim and wrestling team?

[ABUV]

Originally Posted by Kmanshouse

I hope Westmont gets there. Again bordered by a couple of nicer towns and a bit "rougher", but the location is excellent.

Westmont is bordered by rougher towns? Darien? Please share. Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Downers Grove do not seem that rough to me, nor does Darien.

Forgot to add, Willowbrook - maybe that is the rougher location.

Edit Again - Oak Brook, La Grange, Western Springs - the dens of inequity.

[fusillirob1983]

Sounds like he is saying Westmont is a bit "rougher" than the towns that surround it, which is true. It's not really rough, but it may seem so by comparison to Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills and Oak Brook.

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by fusillirob1983

Sounds like he is saying Westmont is a bit "rougher" than the towns that surround it, which is true. It's not really rough, but it may seem so by comparison to Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills and Oak Brook.

The old timers that make me look like a kid remember that back when Prohibition was repealed Westmont was quick to openly embrace the sales of liquor and that earned it the nickname of "WET-mont"...

Several other towns hung on to various restrictions well into the 1980s or later, Hinsdale and other towns tried to ensure that all the places that served / sold even wine were primarily "eating establishments" but since wine is now a big high profile business there are several shops in town.

Willowbrook is not "rougher" by any stretch, if anything the pressure for home builders to construct larger homes is attracting folks priced out of Clarendon Hills and Hinsdale. Once upon a time Willowbrook was kind of a town that "time forgot" with a sad shuttered K-Mart across from a bowling alley that Ditka was a partner in prior to coming into fame as the Bear's Superbowl coach. There just not much else for decades. They've replaced that site with a shiny new Pete's Fresh Market and an entire complement of nicer quick service restaurants that attract crowds from all the nearby areas. While it is not a desirable as towns along the BNSF there are lots of pluses!