Are Chicago comparable to Minneapolis suburbs? (Schaumburg, Bloomington: schools, incomes, live)

[yourpalincal]

Are Chicago suburbs or particularly Northbrook or Glenview comparable to Minneapolis suburbs such as:
-Eden Prairie
-Chanhassen
-Plymouth
-Bloomington
-Wayzata
-Minnetonka

Thanks.

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by yourpalincal

Are Chicago suburbs or particularly Northbrook or Glenview comparable to Minneapolis suburbs such as:
-Eden Prairie
-Chanhassen
-Plymouth
-Bloomington
-Wayzata
-Minnetonka

Thanks.

I have been up in MN several times (cousin lives there and he is a great host). The towns seem to do a much better job of having "all year round" activities for kids than the towns around Chicago, despite the fact that weather up there is generally more harsh.

I think housing affordability is better too, as it seems like prices are lower and incomes might be similar.

In general the schools are probably run better.

Congestion seems much less a problem too.

[chitown85]

I think they are comparable. A lot of people come to Chicago and its suburbs and can't believe how nicely maintained it is. This is of course compared to other parts of the country. They can't believe how wide our streets are, how nicely the lawns are mowed, etc.

Of course, we here in Chicago complain about our infrastructure, but I can assure you, it is much worse elsewhere.

[crbcrbrgv]

Originally Posted by yourpalincal

Are Chicago suburbs or particularly Northbrook or Glenview comparable to Minneapolis suburbs such as:
-Eden Prairie
-Chanhassen
-Plymouth
-Bloomington
-Wayzata
-Minnetonka

Thanks.

No. I have yet to meet a Jewish person in Minnesota.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by crbcrbrgv

No. I have yet to meet a Jewish person in Minnesota.

Lots of Jewish Senators from Minnesota: Al Franken, Norm Coleman, Paul Wellstone, Rudy Boschwitz.

[crbcrbrgv]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

Lots of Jewish Senators from Minnesota: Al Franken, Norm Coleman, Paul Wellstone, Rudy Boschwitz.

Coleman is from New York City. Wellstone is from Virginia. And Boschwitz, if I remember right is from upstate New York. The only Jewish Minnesota "native" on that list is Franken, and I am pretty certain even he was born elsewhere but grew up in Minnesota. Let's just say that you are going to meet as many Jews in Minnesota as you will people in Chicago who eat lutefisk at Christmas time.

[lakecountylifer]

Originally Posted by yourpalincal

Are Chicago suburbs or particularly Northbrook or Glenview comparable to Minneapolis suburbs such as:
-Eden Prairie
-Chanhassen
-Plymouth
-Bloomington
-Wayzata
-Minnetonka

Thanks.

Seems like other posters have strayed off topic. Yes, Glenview and Northbrook are comparable. Glenview and Northbrook are very affluent suburbs and so housing costs are higher when compared to some other suburbs in the Chicago area. Glenview and Northbrook schools are highly regarded and considered among the best in the Chicago area. I think the big difference, especially compared to Eden Prairie and Bloomington-----is that Northbrook and Glenview are MOSTLY bedroom communities... Bloomington is similar to Des Plaines/Rosemont with its location next to the airport and retail/office environment. Eden Prairie is more similar to Schaumburg with its easy access off 494/694 and its considerable office space (i.e. larger office buildings gives it a look similar to schaumburg).
Finally, you won't see a Caribou coffee on every corner like you do in the twin cities----Chicago is dominated by Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts!