Overrated and underrated suburbs Chicago (Naperville, Joliet: school, camping, cost)

[fusillirob1983]

Originally Posted by Chicagoisthebest

Park ridge is a little more upscale than midway area but midway area is still nice.I would say midway area is equivalent to the northwest side like Jefferson park, portage park, Edison park etc.That is my opinion.

Naperville is to far from downtown and to live there you need a car.

Part of Park Ridge is like a little more upscale version of the Midway area, but it also has houses closer to its downtown that aren't anything that you'd find around Midway.

Naperville is far from downtown, one of my hesitations prior to moving here was that it isn't centralized enough in the Chicago area/downtown/friends and family. That said, it's definitely possible to live in Naperville without a car if you're in the right area of town (assuming you don't have kids). Very challenging to do with kids.

[ChicagoMeO]

Originally Posted by Master Jay

Chicagoisbest, et.al. Good evening.

Headed back home, my children and I drove through Evanston, Wilmette, and Winnetka and then followed Green Bay Road.

Then headed west along Old Elm and Highway 60, en route to Milwaukee Avenue.

We really enjoyed looking at some huge houses. Great looking downtowns. Safe and clean looking!!

Yes Highwood was on the list.

Don't you MAKE me go to Naperville!! It's been 2 years. I was on Ogden Avenue today through Cicero and Berwyn. I shoulda kept going into Napervilleland!

Hey! when you were on Green Bay Road in Evanston, did you go to that historic Pancake House? I think it is on Central Road and Green Bay Rd. It is a historic restaurant and the decor is that of dark wood.

I hear that if you take Lake Shore Drive lets say starting in Chicago, you can go north or south and even though it might take a month, you can go thru all the states surrounding Lake Michigan. (Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois).

oh dont get me started on talking about Michigan!!!

[Master Jay]

ChicagoMeO, hello.

I did not go to any pancake house on Green Bay Road. I do remember seeing one however. I do not recall if it was Evanston OR Wilmette OR perhaps both towns happen to have a pancake house along Green Bay Road.

Green Bay Road, that I know is called Highway 31, and goes into Wisconsin.

Lake Shore Drive aka Sheridan Road aka Highway 32 also goes into Wisconsin. They run parallel, about 1 or 2 blocks away from each other in Highwood, a town in Lake County that I've mentioned that I love.

And you are right. It does follow, essentially the lakeshore in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan.

[BOBNCHI]

It's Walker Bros in Wilmette.

[Chicagoisthebest]

Originally Posted by ToriaT

The reason I think Naperville is over rated is there are some very nice suburbs that are just as nice as Naperville such as Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Downers Grove. Maybe there downtowns are not as big and they don't have a Riverwalk but they are very nice indeed and are smaller. Naperville is so very large now, some people in Naperville live a half hour drive from the down town. Don't get me wrong, its nice. It can't be compared to a North shore suburb with the older mansions and homes, Naperville's housing stock in most cases is much newer. I'm happy to live in Wheaton where I can get to the downtown in five minutes. I can get to Naperville downtown in 15 min. from where I live.

100% agree

[Grlzrl]

Originally Posted by BOBNCHI

It's Walker Bros in Wilmette.

It's a chain. There is one in Glenview, too. It's pretty good. I agree.

[nana053]

Originally Posted by Master Jay

ChicagoMeO, hello.

I did not go to any pancake house on Green Bay Road. I do remember seeing one however. I do not recall if it was Evanston OR Wilmette OR perhaps both towns happen to have a pancake house along Green Bay Road.

Green Bay Road, that I know is called Highway 31, and goes into Wisconsin.

Lake Shore Drive aka Sheridan Road aka Highway 32 also goes into Wisconsin. They run parallel, about 1 or 2 blocks away from each other in Highwood, a town in Lake County that I've mentioned that I love.

And you are right. It does follow, essentially the lakeshore in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan.

The one he is talking about is Walker Brother's Pancake House and it is officially in Wilmette.

Walker Bros. The Original Pancake House

Unfortunately, it is only open for limited dining atm.
***Open for Limited Outdoor Dining (weather permitting) & Curbside/Carryout Service at ALL locations!***

It has the best Dutch Baby Pancake.

http://www.walkerbros.net/Menuwilgv2020.pdf

The Stained Glass Windows are fabulous.

https://images.search.yahoo.com/sear...-securebrowser

[Master Jay]

nana053, good evening. I have driven past that place many times and I guess I never noticed the actual full name.

I am NOT a pancake guy. I would be willing to try it out for other breakfast items, however. This weekend I went to Wildberry Pancakes in Libertyville. This summer I went to a place in Jefferson Park along Milwaukee Avenue, I believe is Elly's??? And a couple years ago I went to a cute European Dutch (I believe) pancake place in Lincoln Square, near Western and Lawrence.

I am taking a break in between workout sessions so I better get my mind off of food.

[thinkertinker]

Aside from the North Shore and perhaps Oak Park, are there really any suburbs that people rave about that would make them overrated? I feel like it's rare, especially in the city, for anyone to even think of the suburbs. 90% of the suburbs are like an afterthought. So I find it hard to believe that there would be a significant amount of overrated suburbs.

[ToriaT]

Originally Posted by thinkertinker

Aside from the North Shore and perhaps Oak Park, are there really any suburbs that people rave about that would make them overrated? I feel like it's rare, especially in the city, for anyone to even think of the suburbs. 90% of the suburbs are like an afterthought. So I find it hard to believe that there would be a significant amount of overrated suburbs.

Perhaps many in the city don't think of the suburbs, but the reverse is true too. Many people happily live in the suburbs and give little thought or desire to go into the city. Chicago is a world class city that is great, but certainly has some issues now. There are many beautiful suburbs in the Chicago area when living is great (if you can afford it). For millions of us, they are not an afterthought at all but a preferred lifestyle. A suburb becomes overrated in my opinion when so many people think it is the be all and end all of suburbs when there are many perfectly fine options that exist but just don't seem to have all the publicity that a suburb like Naperville does.