Safest Suburbs in IL South of Pleasant Prairie, WI? (Libertyville: schools, utilities)

[camom2]

Husband looking into job opp in Pleasant Prairie, WI and we were wondering what northern IL suburbs would be desirable for a family to live in? (i.e. safety, schools, commute north)

Thanks

[yoyobubba]

All of them. Is this a serious question?

[bulldawg1594]

Originally Posted by yoyobubba

All of them. Is this a serious question?

what the heck do you mean all of them. what about north chicago, waukegan, round lake, or zion?

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by camom2

Husband looking into job opp in Pleasant Prairie, WI and we were wondering what northern IL suburbs would be desirable for a family to live in? (i.e. safety, schools, commute north)

The prior poster is right. There are few areas to worry about in that part of Illinois. However, you better understand the property taxes (and income taxes) between the two states.

[chet everett]

And income taxes too. Seriously, the costs of living north or south of the "Iron Curtain of Cheese" can be significant. The quality of schools and other important factors far outweigh any safety issues.

[camom2]

Thanks to those who took my question seriously!

Chet, not to sound too stupid but am I right to assume that the taxes are higher in the northern ill suburbs as oppossed to the area of Pleasant Prairie, WI ??

Where are the the schools better, IL or WI ??? (in regards to the areas I mentioned above.)

Thanks

[chet everett]

The state income tax is generally HIGHER in WI for anyone with a job that pays more than minimum wage -- Tax Rates

Things are more complicated for the property tax. In general, as a fraction of housing value, WI tends to have lower tax rates, and as property values are generally a bit lower this tends to translate to smaller property tax bills. It gets even more complicated in towns that have property tax assessments for electric utilities and such http://www.dor.state.wi.us/pubs/slf/wpam09splmnt.pdf.

You really have to get a lot more details to be sure where you will have to pay more or less...

Schools are structured rather differently, I know of a number of folks that prefer the schools in affordable towns in southern WI much more than those in similar prices towns in northern IL, some of them are teachers themselves -- OTOH if you are comparing a costly town with highly rated schools you would be better off comparing them to towns in the desirable sections of Milwaukee suburbs, where most studies would show your money goes further for similar results.

[Hillbros]

Libertyville, IL is your top choice if children are involved.

[chet everett]

While I lived in Libertyville and like the town I really do not have enough info from the OP to say it would be the top choice for THEM -- number one, it is a pricey town. Number two it is fairly far south of WI, with many parts of it being quite an unpleasant distance from the highway, making for a longish commute.

[camom2]

Thanks Everyone, lots to check out. Appreciate all the responses and links sent my way. : )