Moving from Florida will my family like Deer Park? (Chicago: townhouses, transfer)

[rochie3]

My husband is transferred from West Palm Beach to Northbrook I have been there searching for homes in several neighborhoods. I loved the Deer Park area although it is pricey, I also found Lake Zurich to be fruitful as well. I have an offer in on a house in both areas. Please give me some helpful advice. I have 2 kids 1 entering kindergarten and 1 in preschool.

[cubssoxfan]

Depends what you're looking for. My $.02 would be to move closer to Northbrook to cut down on commute for your husband and ensure your kids are in a walkable neighborhood where they can bike to parks and maybe even walk to school when they get older.

[chet everett]

Deer Park is mostly newer than Lake Zurich, I know Lake Zurich has some pretty well established Park District programs and such, that kind of thing is a good way to get to know folks with similar aged kids. Not sure if Deer Park has as much as that, but the newer subdivisions sometimes have families that informally develop a similar "play network".

Good luck with two offers, right to rescind is in both I hope...

[middle-aged mom]

Deer Park feeds into two different school districts, Lake Zurich and Barrington. Homes in the latter district tend to sell for more than the former, all things being equal.

The Lake Zurich School district recently closed one of its elementary schools due to lack of adequate enrollment. There is a huge push back on the school district to economize because homeowners are demanding that property taxes tow the line. ( Absolutely nothing wrong with this) It's an emotional time for many residents with school-age children.

While the property may be in the Lake Zurich school district, it may not be in the Lake Zurich parks and recreation district. Make sure you understand these nuances before you buy anything.

Many areas of Deer Park also promote open spaces and restrict fences.
Most lots are on private well and septic. It is customary for the seller to pay for inspection of these things.

All things considered, Deer Park tends to offer more bang for the buck compared to some of the surrounding areas.

[GoCUBS1]

Agree w/middle-aged mom.... IMO homes in Deer Park that feed into Barrington District 220 schools are likely to retain a higher resale value than homes w/Lake Zurich schools (the north side of Deer Park also feeds into LZ schools). I like LZ but from an investment standpoint, I'd pick a Deer Park house that feeds into District 220 schools.

[chitown85]

The resale value of Deer Park is higher than anywhere in Lake Zurich. The commute will be the same or approximately the same regardless of which house you choose. Likely between 25-45 minutes depending on where in Northbrook and traffic.

Deer Park homes offer more land and in my opinion better neighborhoods. It is located to next to Lake Zurich and you will have the same amenities.

Deer Park that goes to Barrington High School has a much higher property value.

[ngrome]

Let me congratulate you and your family for making it up there, plus in a nice area nonetheless. I used to work in Northbrook. We're still stuck here in Orlando. You'll find it'll be quite a change from West Palm Beach, for the better, in my opinion.

A reasonable community up north and nearby Deerfield and Northbrook is Buffalo Grove and Palatine, if I recall correctly, but it's been a while.

But we'll be right behind you in about 3 years, settling in the southwest suburbs.

Though we enjoyed life in Florida, it's not really the place we want to spend the rest of our lives. I think you'll enjoy it up there in the northern Illinois suburbs, look forward to seeing your initial impressions and how you settled in the area. Congrats and good luck!

[Skatemore]

As a former resident of Lake Zurich for over 20 years and still a homeowner, I can tell you that there are problems there. The downtown is a mess and the mayor that championed this massive TIF plan bailed out in the middle and took a job in Hawthorn Woods. They put in a bypass which was exactly that. A bypass to the downtown area to route traffic more quickly through the town and now the downtown area is a ghost town. They haven't finished the ugly townhouses that look like a beach front houses in the 'Alpine Village". We tried to get the counsel voted out and missed by 300 votes because most the residents could have cared less.

The Drivers Ed teacher of 27 years was put in jail for child molestation. The same one that taught all my kids to drive. They had no bad experiences with him but they were girls. The High School is drug riddled, according to my children who said you can get anything you want in an hour. If you have a child with special needs (1 out of 4 of ours is disabled), prepare for a battle to get special services but that is just about anywhere in Illinois since we are 47th out of 50 states in services for the disabled.

There is one elementary school that I can rave about and that is Sarah Adams Elementary. Their parents and teachers are very involved and it shows. The school is fabulous.

Charles Quentin School had low enrollment for a long time and needed to close. The location wasn't that great and they built a new elementary school on the north end of Lake Zurich.

Middle School North has issues much like the high school and bullies are tolerated. If your child is main stream and strong, they'll get through it but not without having to act as an advocate all the time. I think they finally replaced the Vice Principal which was a move in the right direction.

Housing is varied and a nice perk is the free beach passes for some of the areas. Ask about that before you buy. The park district provides all the usual programs that are funded by the property taxes.

Traffic is a nightmare. If you have to commute any distance away, move closer to your work. I had to travel 11 miles to work and sometimes it took me 15 minutes, sometimes 45 and sometimes longer. You could never guestimate.

We now live in Woodford County, 150 miles south and it's like we live in another state. I wouldn't wish Chicago or the suburbs on anyone, frankly.

[middle-aged mom]

Originally Posted by Skatemore

The Drivers Ed teacher of 27 years was put in jail for child molestation. The same one that taught all my kids to drive. They had no bad experiences with him but they were girls.

The High School is drug riddled, according to my children who said you can get anything you want in an hour.

Back in 2006, the Police became aware of this teacher after he sent a lewd picture of himself to a Highland Park Police Officer, posing as a teen girl , on the internet.

This teacher was arrested in late 2006 on charges of possesion of child porn on his home computers, in Ingleside, not at the school. I believe he was convicted and given 8-10 days in jail. His teaching career is over.
This teacher was not charged with molesting, anyone.

Unfortunately, almost every school district, everywhere learns, from time to time, that one of their teachers has serious problems of a sexual nature.

High schools, everywhere, are "riddled with drugs". If the school or community does not acknowledge this, they are living along the river denile.

I am sorry that you are blaming the Village of Lake Zurich/ school district for the problems that exist in our society.

[middle-aged mom]

Originally Posted by Skatemore

We now live in Woodford County, 150 miles south and it's like we live in another state. I wouldn't wish Chicago or the suburbs on anyone, frankly.

Woodford County is a part of the Peoria metro statistical area.

Nuf said.