Job in Morris, IL.... live in Shorewood? Plainfield? Or??? (Aurora: houses, preschool)

[ChescoGirl]

Hi all - we will be moving to the far western (southwestern?) suburbs within the next 9 months for a job in the Morris IL area. Way down rt80! We’ve ruled out Joliet, but Shorewood seems like a reasonable commute, and maybe even Plainfield? Can anyone give me the scoop on these two areas, including the schools? It’s so confusing. Seems like half the town is part of one district while the other part is another district entirely... some score 5 or 6 out of 10 and others score 9. Why? Also, anything weird to avoid? Train tracks, pipelines, power plants, etc?? Houses seem pretty reasonably priced.

About us: 3 kids, middle school, elementary, and preschool aged. We like to be near our sports/activities, shopping, takeout, etc but don’t have to be in the busiest area, parks and green space make us happy (as long as Target and the grocery stores are nearby too!) The kids do lots of sports - tennis, basketball, soccer, swimming, golf. And luckily, they love snow!

Any advice/insight welcome!!!

[BOBNCHI]

What's your budget?

[Bitey]

Why not Morris itself?

[ChescoGirl]

Budget would be under 450k, which appears to be enough for both areas for a 4bdrm 3000 sqft home.

Why not Morris? It just seems too far out.

[fusillirob1983]

Originally Posted by ChescoGirl

Hi all - we will be moving to the far western (southwestern?) suburbs within the next 9 months for a job in the Morris IL area. Way down rt80! We’ve ruled out Joliet, but Shorewood seems like a reasonable commute, and maybe even Plainfield? Can anyone give me the scoop on these two areas, including the schools? It’s so confusing. Seems like half the town is part of one district while the other part is another district entirely... some score 5 or 6 out of 10 and others score 9. Why? Also, anything weird to avoid? Train tracks, pipelines, power plants, etc?? Houses seem pretty reasonably priced.

About us: 3 kids, middle school, elementary, and preschool aged. We like to be near our sports/activities, shopping, takeout, etc but don’t have to be in the busiest area, parks and green space make us happy (as long as Target and the grocery stores are nearby too!) The kids do lots of sports - tennis, basketball, soccer, swimming, golf. And luckily, they love snow!

Any advice/insight welcome!!!

I knew a number of people that fed into Minooka schools that lived in Minooka, Shorewood, and I think Channahon. Seems like there's some decent subdivisions down there. Several played golf and basketball. Does a portion feed into Joliet schools as well? Maybe just make sure you feed into Minooka if you're considering Shorewood?

I know several people that grew up in Plainfield as well. If you're thinking of schooling for years ahead as well, my understanding is Plainfield North and Plainfield Central are better high schools than South or East, but not sure if by much.

These are all people that graduated HS from 2000-2004, fwiw. I don't know firsthand specifics beyond the people I know personally.

According to Google maps, there is a power plant in Minooka, though not sure how large it is. I thought there was one south and east of Channahon as well, maybe an Exxon refinery too.

Shorewood seems a bit further from all that industrial stuff and more attached to the normal feeling suburbia of the south end of Plainfield and western edge of Joliet along Rt. 59.

[Bitey]

Originally Posted by ChescoGirl

Budget would be under 450k, which appears to be enough for both areas for a 4bdrm 3000 sqft home.

Why not Morris? It just seems too far out.

Too far out from what? Morris itself is 15K people, big enough to have fundamentally the same amenities as the general area you're considering if not more so. And IMO it has a more established and cohesive community feel with a far more substantial downtown core and all that versus the tract-housing exurbia closer to Joliet. I know one of your criteria is being near a Target, but it seems backward to be willing to drive out to Morris and back 5 days a week so you can be closer to the amenities you'll avail yourself a few times a month.

Morris may not be for you at the end of the day, but I think you're underestimating it. I'd encourage you to check it out before making a decision.

[aga412]

What about Oswego/Yorkville/Sugar Grove/southwestern Aurora?

[ChescoGirl]

Originally Posted by Bitey

Too far out from what? Morris itself is 15K people, big enough to have fundamentally the same amenities as the general area you're considering if not more so. And IMO it has a more established and cohesive community feel with a far more substantial downtown core and all that versus the tract-housing exurbia closer to Joliet. I know one of your criteria is being near a Target, but it seems backward to be willing to drive out to Morris and back 5 days a week so you can be closer to the amenities you'll avail yourself a few times a month.

Morris may not be for you at the end of the day, but I think you're underestimating it. I'd encourage you to check it out before making a decision.

I did check it out and I’m not interested in living there. Thanks though

[ChescoGirl]

Originally Posted by aga412

What about Oswego/Yorkville/Sugar Grove/southwestern Aurora?

Maybe?? We can look into those. Do you suggest those towns instead of Plainfield and Shorewood, or in addition to?

[ChescoGirl]

Originally Posted by fusillirob1983

I knew a number of people that fed into Minooka schools that lived in Minooka, Shorewood, and I think Channahon. Seems like there's some decent subdivisions down there. Several played golf and basketball. Does a portion feed into Joliet schools as well? Maybe just make sure you feed into Minooka if you're considering Shorewood?

I know several people that grew up in Plainfield as well. If you're thinking of schooling for years ahead as well, my understanding is Plainfield North and Plainfield Central are better high schools than South or East, but not sure if by much.

These are all people that graduated HS from 2000-2004, fwiw. I don't know firsthand specifics beyond the people I know personally.

According to Google maps, there is a power plant in Minooka, though not sure how large it is. I thought there was one south and east of Channahon as well, maybe an Exxon refinery too.

Shorewood seems a bit further from all that industrial stuff and more attached to the normal feeling suburbia of the south end of Plainfield and western edge of Joliet along Rt. 59.

Thank you!! We are thinking of high schools too just incase. Someone else I talked to said the same thing about Plainfield high schools, if I remember correctly. We will keep it in mind. I did notice the Minoola schools are scored higher. (I don’t base everything on scores but it’s one piece of it.)