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Old 07-08-2008, 03:12 PM
 
22 posts, read 86,527 times
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Hello everyone.
We are a family of four, relocating to this area due to jobs in North Park. We need a safe neighborhood, with good schools (elementary schools for now), where we can get a 3 BR home with a garage (or any other space that can be converted into an artist studio) under $350k. I have been looking at real estate listings in both city and suburbs. But, sorting through the city neighborhoods seems like an overwhelming task... Please give me your opinions on Jefferson Park, North Park, and Ravenswood/Lincoln Square based on their family-friendliness and safety. Any recommendations on specific schools would be greatly appreciated. Let me throw in Mayfair and West Ridge as well. Thanks!
A
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Old 07-08-2008, 03:48 PM
 
Location: Berwyn, IL
2,418 posts, read 6,253,097 times
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My wife really likes North Park, and I definitely do too. However, getting in there with only 350K is going to be a little tough. Most of the good stuff I've seen up there is $450K and up.

The only other 'hood I can comment on is Jefferson Park, which I originally started my home search in. It's got lots of bunglalows and is much more family oriented. And, you're close to the Blue line.
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Old 07-08-2008, 04:07 PM
 
11,975 posts, read 31,776,941 times
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Most houses in Ravenswood/Lincoln Square would be above $800,000, but these are great neighborhoods. I've looked at houses in North Park as well, and you'll have trouble finding anything near your price range there. You could get a small fixer upper in Jefferson Park, Mayfair (which is technically part of Jefferson Park), or West Ridge in the mid $300s... Public schools are an issue in all of these neighborhoods, but there are apparently some halfway decent choices in Jefferson Park. However, homes in the good school districts will be more expensive.

I hate to be a downer, but $350K doesn't get you much house in a safe North Side neighborhood. Heck, it doesn't get you much in a dangerous neighborhood either!
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Old 07-08-2008, 04:12 PM
 
Location: Berwyn, IL
2,418 posts, read 6,253,097 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lookout Kid View Post
Most houses in Ravenswood/Lincoln Square would be above $800,000, but these are great neighborhoods. I've looked at houses in North Park as well, and you'll have trouble finding anything near your price range there. You could get a small fixer upper in Jefferson Park, Mayfair (which is technically part of Jefferson Park), or West Ridge in the mid $300s... Public schools are an issue in all of these neighborhoods, but there are apparently some halfway decent choices in Jefferson Park. However, homes in the good school districts will be more expensive.

I hate to be a downer, but $350K doesn't get you much house in a safe North Side neighborhood. Heck, it doesn't get you much in a dangerous neighborhood either!
Makes me wonder how these dangerous folks are raising this cash. Apparently I need to be in the cannabis business!

To the OP, are you only considering these neighborhoods because you have a job nearby?
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Old 07-08-2008, 04:13 PM
 
Location: Skokiewood
732 posts, read 2,980,620 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lookout Kid View Post
Mayfair (which is technically part of Jefferson Park)
Of course, you mean Albany Park...
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Old 07-08-2008, 05:34 PM
 
22 posts, read 86,527 times
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Thanks for the responses.
We are pretty much open to any location, really, as long as the elementary school is a good one and the neighborhood is safe. I am looking at these specific neighborhoods because of the location, and I have seen some listings in our price range. I just don't know about the schools....!
(Among the suburbs, I am considering Evasnton, Skokie, Park Ridge. Maybe Lincolnwood. I have posted on the suburb forum as well.)
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Old 07-08-2008, 05:46 PM
 
Location: Berwyn, IL
2,418 posts, read 6,253,097 times
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The biggest issue is probably schooling in the areas you mentioned. Private can be costly.

I did some looking around at ISBE and Jefferson Park schools, and found that Farnsworth elementary in Jefferson Park is mostly so-so,Beaubien is alright, and Hitch and Prussing are only so-so as well.
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Old 07-08-2008, 07:43 PM
 
Location: Chicago
15,586 posts, read 27,597,919 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thepreacherswife View Post
Of course, you mean Albany Park...
Great catch.
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Old 07-08-2008, 07:44 PM
 
Location: Chicago
15,586 posts, read 27,597,919 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ManheimMadman View Post
The biggest issue is probably schooling in the areas you mentioned. Private can be costly.

I did some looking around at ISBE and Jefferson Park schools, and found that Farnsworth elementary in Jefferson Park is mostly so-so,Beaubien is alright, and Hitch and Prussing are only so-so as well.
That is because of busing. Half the kids in those school come from crap family environments. The kids from the neighborhoods the schools are located in do well.
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Old 07-08-2008, 07:47 PM
 
Location: Berwyn, IL
2,418 posts, read 6,253,097 times
Reputation: 1133
Where are these crap family kids coming from? Anywhere else in the city?
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