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Old 10-27-2009, 08:44 PM
 
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We're looking at a job in Niles, IL; we live in NC and have lived almost all our lives on the East coast (though hubby is originally from MO). I just wondered if, in the interest of doing initial research, some folks might suggest some areas near by there that meet our basic criteria: we'd be hoping for a house with 4 bedrooms and a basement in the $350k range; top schools; a nice, safe neighborhood with a good community feel and loads of kids.

What towns/districts/areas would you recommend? What advice would you offer?
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Old 10-27-2009, 10:43 PM
 
Location: Chicagoland
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I would suggest a few places:

Morton Grove
Skokie
Lincolnwood
Arlington Heights

No matter where you live in those cities they all have good school systems.
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Old 10-28-2009, 06:47 AM
 
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Be careful with Skokie. It has really bad neighborhoods, as well as good ones.

You can also consider Niles itself - Niles is not any worse then Skokie I think.
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Old 10-28-2009, 09:14 AM
 
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The combination of TOP schools , and 4 bedroom and UNDER $350K is very very tough.

If you look in Niles itself (which is not a bad option) you might find something like this: 8201 N ORIOLE Ave, NILES, IL 60714 | MLS# 07305057
Older, needing some updating, tight lot and generally not a very modern lay out, but prefectly acceptable.

Park Ridge is going to MUCH higher, Skokie about on par with Niles: 7914 KENNETH Ave, SKOKIE, IL 60076 | MLS# 07142725

If you go MUCH MUCH farther west you MIGHT get a large home / lot that is perhaps more like what you've become accustomed to in NC, but your husband's commute time will SOAR.

Basically if you were to draw a circle around Nile you would have to go out a rather far distance before the "more house for the money AND as good/better schools" factor really made sense...
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Old 10-28-2009, 10:04 AM
 
Location: Chicago
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You could live in Niles as Chet and SunSmile mentioned. I recommend it as well.
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Old 10-28-2009, 10:06 AM
 
Location: Chicago
15,586 posts, read 27,597,919 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunsmile View Post
...You can also consider Niles itself - Niles is not any worse then Skokie I think.
I think it is better than Skokie in many respects.
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Old 10-28-2009, 03:51 PM
 
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Well, here's another question: what are taxes and insurance like? I'm used to paying some pretty steep taxes in FL and NC. We may have to bump up our budget quite a bit.
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Old 10-28-2009, 05:08 PM
 
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It is not uncommon to pay more than 2% in property taxes in Illinois. We have fairly low income tax rates, offset by some counties have higher than normal sales tax rates.
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Old 10-29-2009, 03:28 PM
 
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Morton Grove is the best option in my opinion. Skokie is also okay; however, it has a mix of very bad neighborhoods and very good ones too. Both go to Niles West or North High School. The Niles Township high schools are not bad at all.
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Old 10-29-2009, 06:54 PM
 
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Well, where would you recommend for a maybe 30-45 min commute? Given top schools and if not 4 bedrooms, then 3+ basement? Still Niles proper?
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