Relocating - Job in Des Plaines, Where to live? (Chicago: neighborhoods, restaurants)

[laufenlib]

Hi everyone,

I will possibly need to relocate to the Chicago area for a position in Des Plaines in the next month or so. I'm a 20-something female from the Southeast.

My boyfriend and I are ideally looking for a 2 BR (maybe 1 BR) near a transit station, but also no more than a 30 minute commute (driving) to Des Plaines. We could probably spend up to $1500 a month. Any suggestions on neighborhoods in Chicago or other suburbs to look in? Is Des Plaines itself a decent place to live? Would Chicago neighborhoods like Jefferson Park or Old Irving Park be safe possibilities? We want to have easy access to all the goings-on in Chicago since I've never really lived in a big city before and I'm looking for a change of pace. A walkable area is preferable.

[Vlajos]

Des Plaines is a nice if somewhat boring place. Old Irving is a much better choice for someone your age as you will have much easier access to the amenities in Chicago. I don't drive to Des Plaines, during rush hour, someone else will have to provide an estimate.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by laufenlib

Hi everyone,

I will possibly need to relocate to the Chicago area for a position in Des Plaines in the next month or so. I'm a 20-something female from the Southeast.

My boyfriend and I are ideally looking for a 2 BR (maybe 1 BR) near a transit station, but also no more than a 30 minute commute (driving) to Des Plaines. We could probably spend up to $1500 a month. Any suggestions on neighborhoods in Chicago or other suburbs to look in? Is Des Plaines itself a decent place to live? Would Chicago neighborhoods like Jefferson Park or Old Irving Park be safe possibilities? We want to have easy access to all the goings-on in Chicago since I've never really lived in a big city before and I'm looking for a change of pace. A walkable area is preferable.

Des Plaines is fine, but boring. It's not Chicago really. If you want to be in the city and you're fine with owning a car and all that, then do it. I think you'll be much happier if that's what you're aiming for.

You could probably live as far south as Lincoln Park or Bucktown if your 30 minute commute was in light traffic. Obviously though, it's going to take longer in jammed traffic. Personally, I like Lakeview (to the north of Lincoln Park) more than LP though. In any case..there's tons of walkable areas on the north side that would be within your commute (again, in light traffic).

If you want to live closer than that (most likely the case for you), then I would recommend also North Center, Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, Irving Park..and maybe somewhere like Andersonville or Edgewater

[pvande55]

Des Plaines is a family centered (Leave it to Beaver) community, though some singles live there. The nearby city neighborhoods are about the same. Buck town maybe.

[SJaye]

Unfortunately, I-90 towards Des Paines is one of the most heavily jammed roads. So, a 30 minute driving commute is gonna be kind of hard. Is your job in downtown Des Plaines? If so, you can live near the Jefferson Park or Old Irving Park Road train stations and be able to take the METRA to work, but also be near the blue line to transit around the city. Come to think of it, that also opens up Bucktown/Wicker Park near the Clyborn METRA.

If your only way of getting to work is driving, Jefferson Park still might be a decent idea. Another idea, if you are willing to accept some variance in your commute time, especially in the afternoon, is Lincoln Square/ North Center. Those neighborhoods are not as 20-something oriented as Lincoln Park and Lakewview. They kind of have a mix of people of various age groups, but they also have quite a bit to do, and easy access to these neighborhoods via the brown line.

[rparz]

Originally Posted by SJaye

Unfortunately, I-90 towards Des Paines is one of the most heavily jammed roads. So, a 30 minute driving commute is gonna be kind of hard. Is your job in downtown Des Plaines? If so, you can live near the Jefferson Park or Old Irving Park Road train stations and be able to take the METRA to work, but also be near the blue line to transit around the city. Come to think of it, that also opens up Bucktown/Wicker Park near the Clyborn METRA.

If your only way of getting to work is driving, Jefferson Park still might be a decent idea. Another idea, if you are willing to accept some variance in your commute time, especially in the afternoon, is Lincoln Square/ North Center. Those neighborhoods are not as 20-something oriented as Lincoln Park and Lakewview. They kind of have a mix of people of various age groups, but they also have quite a bit to do, and easy access to these neighborhoods via the brown line.

X2

You're probably not going to be able to take public transportation to a job in Des Plaines as the suburbs aren't really set up for public transportation access.


I'm also a fan of the Jeff park and other hoods along the brown line.

During rush hour I'd find it common to take roughly 30 min from Bucktown to the city limits in any direction / any route, so any further east or south would just tack on more to an already lengthy commute.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by laufenlib

Hi everyone,

I will possibly need to relocate to the Chicago area for a position in Des Plaines in the next month or so. I'm a 20-something female from the Southeast.

My boyfriend and I are ideally looking for a 2 BR (maybe 1 BR) near a transit station, but also no more than a 30 minute commute (driving) to Des Plaines. We could probably spend up to $1500 a month. Any suggestions on neighborhoods in Chicago or other suburbs to look in? Is Des Plaines itself a decent place to live? Would Chicago neighborhoods like Jefferson Park or Old Irving Park be safe possibilities? We want to have easy access to all the goings-on in Chicago since I've never really lived in a big city before and I'm looking for a change of pace. A walkable area is preferable.

Try Arlington Heights. It is very close and is a very walkable area with a wide variety of restaurants and shops.

When you move into Chicagoland, you MUST consider how long it is going to take for you to get to work. Commuting 2-3 hours per day gets very old very quickly.

[laufenlib]

Originally Posted by SJaye

So, a 30 minute driving commute is gonna be kind of hard. Is your job in downtown Des Plaines?

Unfortunately my job isn't close enough to downtown Des Plaines for the Metra to be an option.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I'll look into Jefferson Park a bit more, and maybe test the commute from Lincoln Square when I am next in the city -- though Google Maps is telling me right now it's 40 minutes with traffic. Right now I'm spoiled by a mile or so walk from work, so the commute might wear on me after a while.

Any thoughts on Park Ridge? Is it fairly similar to Des Plaines?

[pvande55]

Park Ridge is even more boring than Des Plaines. Perfect for accountants with families.

[cubssoxfan]

Where in Des Plaines is work located?