Commute everywhere, live life, I’m not John Cusak

[djgolf35]

If you like the Chain of Lakes, then you could probably find a place in Wauconda or unincorporated Mundelein that fits the bill. We're right next to the Chain and taxes are (relatively) low.

[oldhousegirl]

Also about Homer Glen. The taxes can be ASTRONOMICAL!!!

[GoCUBS1]

I also think you should focus on Chain O’ Lakes area towns - you like the area and I think the “live free or die,” gun-toting, meat loving/grilling, down-to-earth, outdoorsyness of the area seem to match your criteria. It seems like your job doesn't require you to be close to the city and there are Metra stops in these towns.

The schools - Mundelein, Antioch (where else?) are alright too, though not the top tier. I’m not sure about Fox Lake schools. Maybe Grayslake schools are a bit better? Gun range in this town. Also hunting clubs in the area.

I have a friend who lives on Petite Lake (Antioch?) and spends her summers boating, grilling meat, drinking beer, hanging out at sand bars and dive bars, and absolutely loves it.

Her neighbors are some of the kindest people too - “compassionate and humble” like you mentioned. No one seems to care what you wear to the grocery store, what you put up in your yard, how big your personal fireworks displays are, or how fast and loud your boat is on the lake - there are pros and cons to this...

My friend is more like a former corporate, buttoned up Joan Cusack, so it’s funny how well she’s adapted to her new free-spirited lifestyle - I keep asking when she’s getting her first tattoo.

I do not personally know the Cusacks, though I had a crush on “Say Anything” John in the late 80’s and saw him at Cubs games. And my designer friend told me Joan used a reclaimed bowling lane for her wooden countertops, and I think that’s pretty cool.

[Hiruko]

I personally know the Cusack family—Dick and Nancy—as former neighbors in Evanston. They were very nice people, but I don't see how they were normal or especially down-to-Earth. These were people that lived in a million-dollar home on Sheridan Road and had raging left-wing political views (I mean over-the-top) that they wore on their sleeves.

[GoCUBS1]

FWIW I saw a surprisingly large number of Trump boat flags and MAGA hats when I was boating with my friend on Chain O’ Lakes a few days ago. Definitely not John Cusack. I follow his Twitter.