What is great about Morton Grove? (Cicero, Arlington Heights: houses, neighborhoods, good schools)

[Suburbs bound]

We have been considering a move to Morton Grove, as my husband works in Wilmette, and we are currently in the NW suburbs and want to be closer.

We have 2 kids, so they would go to Parkview, which is rated 9/10 on greatschools. We can see that it is good--the schools that is.

We are confused about the community. People who live there keep saying that it is a great community, although when we drive around, it seems like there is not much there. The shops look older and a bit run down, the neighborhoods seem older and the houses look older (except for the 800K teardowns) and not always taken care of, etc.

We really think the school looks great, and it is close to work and city, though we really want to know what is wonderful specifically about this area.

Any thoughts?

[billiken]

It's close to the city, offers more affordable housing, good schools, nearby forest preserve. Yes, a lot of it is older. I don't think the area appeals to those looking for new build subdivisions.

[cohdane]

It's not Cicero.

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by Suburbs bound

We have been considering a move to Morton Grove, as my husband works in Wilmette, and we are currently in the NW suburbs and want to be closer.

We have 2 kids, so they would go to Parkview, which is rated 9/10 on greatschools. We can see that it is good--the schools that is.

We are confused about the community. People who live there keep saying that it is a great community, although when we drive around, it seems like there is not much there. The shops look older and a bit run down, the neighborhoods seem older and the houses look older (except for the 800K teardowns) and not always taken care of, etc.

We really think the school looks great, and it is close to work and city, though we really want to know what is wonderful specifically about this area.

Any thoughts?

It is a decent community. But compare it to say, Arlington Heights, and I'll take AH. Why? Hersey and Prospect HS are better than Niles North/West. Elem dist 25 & 23 are as good or better than Parkview. AH library-better. Downtown AH-better. Homes typically have larger lots in AH. Metra-MG served by one line, AH served by one line with a 2nd line nearby The two benefits to Morton Grove are the proximity to the Forest Preserve and it's bike trail & a closer drive to downtown.
Final decision based on what factors are most important to you. By the way, you can drive from my AH neighborhood to MG in 20-30 minutes during rush hour (Lehigh & Dempster to Palatine Rd & Schoenbeck Rd).

[cubfan3]

Originally Posted by Suburbs bound

We are confused about the community. People who live there keep saying that it is a great community, although when we drive around, it seems like there is not much there. The shops look older and a bit run down, the neighborhoods seem older and the houses look older (except for the 800K teardowns) and not always taken care of, etc.

You just described my impressions of Park Ridge to a T (aside from Park Ridge having a decent downtown). The suburban housing built in the immediate post-WW2 era just doesn't appeal to me. Tiny uniform houses on tiny uniform lots, with the oddball McMansion built on former teardown properties.

A lot of the closer in burbs are considered "great" because of just that: they are close in. Some people are willing to overlook other shortcomings because of that. Everything's a trade off, right?

[Metalist]

Morton Grove is a peaceful quiet community extension of Skokie. Minorities in Morton Grove typically speak Korean and drive Lexuses.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Metalist

Morton Grove is a peaceful quiet community extension of Skokie...

The area that became Morton Grove was settled way before Skokie (formerly Niles Center) was settled. Morton Grove grew much faster than Skokie as well.

[pvande55]

It is an attractive community. And not overrun with industry like Niles. I can understand the desire to move closer to work; there is no good way to get there from the Northwest, and Wilmette itself is cost-prohibitive. Some members of our family live there and have no desire to move. What it sorely lacks, if that is a concern, is night life.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by pvande55

It is an attractive community. And not overrun with industry like Niles...

Niles is "overrun" with industry?

That is news to me.

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Niles is "overrun" with industry?

That is news to me.

Niles has it's industrial/warehousing primarily in one section, seperate from residential area. Industry can be good, often it helps keep property taxes down.