Chicagoland: best suburb near Aurora? (Naperville, Joliet: apartment, house, to buy)

[NewGrad]

I know there are about a million threads on here of people trying to find the right Chicagoland suburb, but I can't find one that really answers my questions.

My fiance grew up in Aurora and his parents still live there. We'd like to be within about a half hour of Aurora so we can go visit them whenever we want. I'm estimating that once we move to the area our gross income will be about 60-70K (not a lot for that area, I know). We don't have kids and don't plan to, so the quality of schools isn't very important to us. We're planning on living in apartment for about 3 years, then look into finding a house.

I looked online and thought Woodridge sounds nice for us, but I really don't know. My fiance hasn't lived in Aurora for about 10 years, so he's forgotten what areas and towns are nice (plus it's probably changed so much).

I'd like to find a quiet suburb that's still not too far away from the big box stores when I need them. What towns do you guys suggest? Any hope of ever finding a house on combined salaries of 70k a year??

[hgclyde]

Naperville is most popular suburbs near Aurora. Its east of Aurora. The city has a historic downtown and a river walk on the Du Page River with parks, shops and restaurants . Many community events. Typical suburban fare with master planned communites, office parks, and top notch schools also expensive. Also east of Aurora is Bolingbrook is nice a little more affordable than Naperville, also growing area. Just open a new outdoor mall The Promenade which will give Westfield Fox Valley a run for its money. Also look at Montgomery and Oswego which is south of Aurora, Yorkville just southwest of the city, Plainfield which is also very popular area just southeast. In the southeast areas include Joliet (especially west of the Stevenson Expwy(I-55)), Crest Hill is also nice. West of Aurora include the fast growing village of Sugar Grove very small town America. Due north are historic St. Charles on Fox River. Other northern suburbs include Batavia,Geneva and the village of North Aurora. you have many choice do your research and others will give you input. PS. In Aurora look on farther ends of the city west of Randall Rd (County Rd 34) as well as east of the DuPage county line to the Naperville city limits Fox Valley Mall is in this area.
Hope this helps.Hgclyde

[gardener34]

Naperville, North Aurora, and Batavia are all nice.

[Steve-o]

Geneva, St. Charles, Naperville, Wheaton, Warrenville, Winfield, Plainfield... those are all pretty close to Aurora.

[NewGrad]

I know Naperville is nice, but I don't think it would be an option for us at our income.

Any opinions on Woodridge? Will we be ok on about 70k a year? Thanks

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by NewGrad

I know Naperville is nice, but I don't think it would be an option for us at our income.

Any opinions on Woodridge? Will we be ok on about 70k a year? Thanks

70K should do you pretty decently in Plainfield, not Naperville or Geneva, sadly. Elburn is pretty close by and 70 gs there should get you by, as well as areas of St. Charles.

[NewGrad]

Thanks for the info guys....

Any thoughts on Woodridge, since that's what I was originally thinking about?

I'll have to look into plainfield...

[KerrTown]

Why not Aurora itself? West Aurora seems nice.

[NewGrad]

Originally Posted by KerrTown

Why not Aurora itself? West Aurora seems nice.

My fiance doesn't think that Aurora is safe.

[Simiretiredat52]

Originally Posted by NewGrad

I know there are about a million threads on here of people trying to find the right Chicagoland suburb, but I can't find one that really answers my questions.

My fiance grew up in Aurora and his parents still live there. We'd like to be within about a half hour of Aurora so we can go visit them whenever we want. I'm estimating that once we move to the area our gross income will be about 60-70K (not a lot for that area, I know). We don't have kids and don't plan to, so the quality of schools isn't very important to us. We're planning on living in apartment for about 3 years, then look into finding a house.

I looked online and thought Woodridge sounds nice for us, but I really don't know. My fiance hasn't lived in Aurora for about 10 years, so he's forgotten what areas and towns are nice (plus it's probably changed so much).

I'd like to find a quiet suburb that's still not too far away from the big box stores when I need them. What towns do you guys suggest? Any hope of ever finding a house on combined salaries of 70k a year??

Yes if you want to move to Bensenville. I have lived here since 1989 with my wife. I love this town. To bad about the airport construction. Housing marqet is down which makes it worst for s who live here. Good for you since you might be able to buy. We have very good public tranpertation here, Metra and Pace. The Pace bus 332 also runs to Chicago CTA Blue Line In Rosemont and back. And were close to highways. A lot of good shops in Bensenville. I live in the York and Irving airea. We are close to everthing. AS for schools, I don't know, I don,t have kids. I can suggest Franlin Park. Similar to Bensenville but my home may not be taken away like in Bensenville due to the O'hare airport. But I still love my house. Have a great day!