Lost in Chicagoland (Naperville, Arlington Heights, Evanston: rental, townhouse, buy)

[Metameta]

Hi all, I hope you can chime in. Looking to relocate within Chicagoland area. First looking to rent (4bed, 2ba townhouse or house), then possibly buy in the area down the road if we like it. Top of rental budget is $3300ish but would consider revising for the perfect area.

Looking for:
- great schools that include both gifted programs and special education programs (this is the primary reason for moving and would drive the majority of the decision)

- close to a decent amount of commerce

- social/cultural diversity and/or general open mindedness

- close to Chicago

I know it may not be possible to have it all, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. Much of what I have read points to Naperville 204 and Arlington Heights. Naperville would be ok (even if far from Chicago), but I am not so familiar with AH. Given the state of things in Illinois, am generally more nervous about owning property in Cook county but have had a decent experience in DuPage. I like the North Shore, but am not sure about special education programs in those school districts.

I would appreciate any advice!

[damba]

AH also has very good special ed/services, as do a lot of the north shore school districts such as Deerfield, Highland Park, Glenview, Northbrook, Vernon Hills, Libertville and what feeds into Stevenson HS. You will have to decide how far ‘close to Chicago’ may extend if schools/better services are boxes that must be checked.

What do you mean by ‘commerce’? Close to retail shopping or proximity to major employers?

[Metameta]

Originally Posted by damba

What do you mean by ‘commerce’? Close to retail shopping or proximity to major employers?

Yes, retail/restaurants.

[amd555]

Ah is a good choice. So is D57 in Mount Prospect.

[JJski]

where is your work/commute requirements?

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by Metameta

Hi all, I hope you can chime in. Looking to relocate within Chicagoland area. First looking to rent (4bed, 2ba townhouse or house), then possibly buy in the area down the road if we like it. Top of rental budget is $3300ish but would consider revising for the perfect area.

Looking for:
- great schools that include both gifted programs and special education programs (this is the primary reason for moving and would drive the majority of the decision)

- close to a decent amount of commerce

- social/cultural diversity and/or general open mindedness

- close to Chicago

I know it may not be possible to have it all, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. Much of what I have read points to Naperville 204 and Arlington Heights. Naperville would be ok (even if far from Chicago), but I am not so familiar with AH. Given the state of things in Illinois, am generally more nervous about owning property in Cook county but have had a decent experience in DuPage. I like the North Shore, but am not sure about special education programs in those school districts.

I would appreciate any advice!

Check out Evanston, Skokie, Lincolnwood, and Morton Grove. They are close to Chicago, high on diversity, very progressive, and have lots of convenient shopping and dining. Evanston is an older suburb with a housing stock in keeping with the other lakefront communities. Skokie, Lincolnwood, and Morton Grove were primarily developed in the post-war era.

The city and the three villages have fairly strong bond ratings. Evanston's property taxes are the lowest of the four with Morton Grove being the highest.

I'd suggest calling the districts to find out what they have to offer. Northwestern University offers programs for gifted K-12 students; some of their programs have been free in the past.

SPECIAL SERVICES - Evanston-Skokie School District 65
Special Education - Lincolnwood School District 74
Special Education - Morton Grove School District 70
Special Services - Skokie School District 68
Northwestern University - Center for Talent Development

[Metameta]

Originally Posted by Hiruko

Check out Evanston, Skokie, Lincolnwood, and Morton Grove. They are close to Chicago, high on diversity, very progressive, and have lots of convenient shopping and dining.

We looked at Evanston the last time around, my issue is that even though it is diverse, it's not very integrated. ETHS has had some issues that reflect this somewhat. Will take a second look. Schools in Lincolnwood and Skokie seem hit or miss, but will check those out too.

I don't mind going further north, i.e., Wilmette, Northbrook, Highland Park. Not sure if New Trier would work. Seems like NT and Stevenson may be too big/too much pressure. I don't know anything about their Special Ed programs, either, I would have to check those as well.

Thanks for your input.

[Metameta]

Originally Posted by damba

AH also has very good special ed/services, as do a lot of the north shore school districts such as Deerfield, Highland Park, Glenview, Northbrook, Vernon Hills, Libertville and what feeds into Stevenson HS. You will have to decide how far ‘close to Chicago’ may extend if schools/better services are boxes that must be checked.

What do you mean by ‘commerce’? Close to retail shopping or proximity to major employers?

Libertyville and Vernon Hills are too far north, I think. Lake Forest is nice too, but seems to be far and a bit isolated, although that just might be ignorance on my part.

[damba]

Originally Posted by Metameta

We looked at Evanston the last time around, my issue is that even though it is diverse, it's not very integrated. ETHS has had some issues that reflect this somewhat. Will take a second look. Schools in Lincolnwood and Skokie seem hit or miss, but will check those out too.

I don't mind going further north, i.e., Wilmette, Northbrook, Highland Park. Not sure if New Trier would work. Seems like NT and Stevenson may be too big/too much pressure. I don't know anything about their Special Ed programs, either, I would have to check those as well.

Thanks for your input.

You will unfortunately have to pick a lane. Heading further north away from the ‘inner ring’ suburbs means a lot less diversity/integration.

I would encourage you to not get too focused necessarily on the sizes of the schools but what they offer, how they handle IEPs, etc.

[damba]

Originally Posted by Metameta

Libertyville and Vernon Hills are too far north, I think. Lake Forest is nice too, but seems to be far and a bit isolated, although that just might be ignorance on my part.

I understand. Far from what though? You will necessarily be working in/commuting to downtown Chicago?