Place to live between Fermi (Batavia) and the Loop (Aurora: mortgage, home)

[MechE222]

Long overdue decision: I work at Fermi and my fiancé works in River North. Our mortgage for the last 7 years is for her place in Libertyville. She takes the Metra to work (a quick drive to the train station, an hour train ride, and then ~25 min walk to the office). She’s ok with this now… especially compared to my ~50 mile commute via car. In the snow I’ve had commutes that are more like 2-3hrs each way. I leave early ~6am (leave for home at 6pm) and my commute is at best 1 hour in great conditions. We’ve been debating on the best place to live between the loop and Batavia.

I’ve entertained the thought of taking the Metra from the west loop or Oak Park in to work. Even thought it’s still a long commute, the train would be much better than the stress of driving. Most likely I’ll keep driving from other towns between the city and west suburbs, and she will take the train and walk to the office. Places we’ve thought about: West Loop, Naperville, Oak Park, Glen Ellyn (any good location near the Metra line)?

We’re in our early 30s (no plans for kids), and have a budget of 500-650k and value location/entertainment over space. 1000 sqft in the city would be acceptable. We’re looking for an improvement over 1 hr 40min (train+walking) for her, and 1 hr (at best) driving for myself.

Does anyone else have a similar situation that would be able to provide some thoughts? What would you do in my situation? Where is a good place to purchase between the city and Batavia to help both commutes?

[aga412]

Are you dead set on a train to Ogilvie or would one to Union work as well? Here are my recommendations from best fit to least best (though still perfectly fine).

UP-W Burbs: Glen Ellyn, Wheaton
BNSF Burbs: Downers Grove, LaGrange, Naperville, Hinsdale

I left out Oak Park because the Eisenhower can be terrible frankly, though usually by that point it begins to taper off. I just figured by your post that you're pretty worn out by all things commuting. Naperville is decidedly closer to Batavia (especially deciding on where you live) but a bit farther from the city. It's also very large, while the other cities I've listed are smaller. DG and GE seem like happy mediums commuting wise for both of you (both are super manageable to get to Batavia and have plenty express trains). Libertyville to Batavia sounds absolutely terrible!

[chet everett]

The OP really ought to explore the options along the UP-W line that run from ELMHURST all the way to GENEVA , each city is a very manageable commute to Fermi or the Loop AND far better than their current trips from Libertyville. There are both scheduled links between Metra service from Geneva to the lab as well as the sort of "inspired by Uber" call-based service -- https://www.fnal.gov/pub/visiting/tr...all-n-ride.pdf

It probably makes sense also consider the towns along the BNSF from about the west end of Downers Grove through the Aurora area. Again the commute to Fermi from these areas is mostly excellent, the parallel routes of Ogden / Warrenville/ Butterfield all are great alternatives to I-88 and the speed of the BNSF trains can't be beat.

I agree that congestion increases DRAMATICALLY for points east & north of the towns listed. I would disagree with aga412 about including Hinsdale or LaGrange as those towns add both lots of potential choke points to the commute as well being among the pricier options.

[aga412]

Originally Posted by chet everett

The OP really ought to explore the options along the UP-W line that run from ELMHURST all the way to GENEVA , each city is a very manageable commute to Fermi or the Loop AND far better than their current trips from Libertyville. There are both scheduled links between Metra service from Geneva to the lab as well as the sort of "inspired by Uber" call-based service -- https://www.fnal.gov/pub/visiting/tr...all-n-ride.pdf

It probably makes sense also consider the towns along the BNSF from about the west end of Downers Grove through the Aurora area. Again the commute to Fermi from these areas is mostly excellent, the parallel routes of Ogden / Warrenville/ Butterfield all are great alternatives to I-88 and the speed of the BNSF trains can't be beat.

I agree that congestion increases DRAMATICALLY for points east & north of the towns listed. I would disagree with aga412 about including Hinsdale or LaGrange as those towns add both lots of potential choke points to the commute as well being among the pricier options.

Since everyone waxes poetic about the EXPRESS TRAINS from LAGRANGE I thought it was worth considering. Geneva, though close to Fermi, seems far out. Elmhurst would be good too, don't know how that one slipped my mind.

[nikitakolata]

I would vote for Elmhurst or Glen Ellyn. I think a lot of the towns on BNSF are great, but they're going to add at least a few blocks each way to your wife's walk, and that gets really tiresome in bad weather. So, I would personally focus on trains that go into Ogilvie. That's just me though.

The drive to Fermi from Elmhurst is not too bad. It would be a little shorter from Glen Ellyn though, so I'd also look there.

[samthewisegam]

Whatever you do, just don't choose Oak Park. I could not have been happier after moving out of there.