My job: Evanston - Sig. Other's job: Oakbrook - Where to live?! (Chicago: sales, apartment)

[Syncmaster414]

Just like the topic states, my job is in Evanston and my significant others is in Oakbrook. Yes, I realize this is far from ideal from a commuting standpoint, but it is what it is. She HAS to drive to work, as it is an outside sales position. I am up for driving or using mass transit (don't know much about it though, as I am from downstate IL).

We are in our mid 20's and would like an abundance of things to do. But most of all, we would like to split the commute evenly (if possible). Our budget it up to $1000 for a 1br. Has to be in a safe hood.

We have been looking into the following: Wicker Park, Bucktown, Ukranian Village. Do these make sense for our situation? Why or why not? Which one would you recommend? If none, which other areas should we look into?

Please provide me with as much info as possible, including the area, estimated commute times for each of us, safety, etc. Yes, I have been searching like crazy on this forum but have not stumbled upon my specific circumstance.

Thank you so much in advance, we are looking forward to moving to Chicago in February!

[oakparkdude]

First off, is your job in Evanston close to a transit stop?

[Syncmaster414]

Originally Posted by oakparkdude

First off, is your job in Evanston close to a transit stop?

Thats the thing, I dont know yet... The office location has not yet been finalized, other than we are 100% certain it will be in Evanston.

[Attrill]

Do everything in your power to locate the Evanston office close to a Metra stop. If you live in Bucktown your commute won't be bad at all, but the commute to Oakbrook won't be pleasant, but it can be done. If your wife has to drive to any clients on the Northshore or South of the city this a good location close to 90/94.

Moving closer to Oakbrook gets tough. No matter what it would mean you would need to commute into the loop and then out to Evanston by train, if you can find Metra schedules that work it may be possible to do it from Oak Park, Melrose Park, or another Western burb. It would be a difficult commute and the train schedules would be pretty restrictive. Driving to Evanston from that area would be pretty brutal.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by Attrill

Moving closer to Oakbrook gets tough. No matter what it would mean you would need to commute into the loop and then out to Evanston by train, if you can find Metra schedules that work it may be possible to do it from Oak Park, Melrose Park, or another Western burb. It would be a difficult commute and the train schedules would be pretty restrictive. Driving to Evanston from that area would be pretty brutal.

Depending on your work flexibility in Evanston, it is possible to take the Metra from Oak Park into Chicago, transfer to another train (luckily same terminal), and then take the 2nd train to Evanston. The commute from Oak Park to Oak Brook would be much less aggravating than Wicker Park to Oak Brook. Granted, Oak Park isn't as lively as Wicker Park for the 20 something crowd. Driving from Oak Park to Evanston would be insane, so this only works if the Evanston job is close to a Metra station.

[BRU67]

Agreed that Wicker Park to Oak Brook would be terrible from a commuting perspective, and Evanston probably wouldn't be a cake walk from there either.

The near west inner-ring (Berwyn, Oak Park, Forest Park, Riverside), in an apartment near the Metra of course, would be about as good as you are going to get from a transit perspective. It only takes me about 15-20 minutes to get to Oak Brook from Berwyn (driving down 22nd St.). I haven't tried to go to Evanston via the Metra but I imagine it would be lengthy. I know the drive is.

The area isn't Wicker Park as OPD said but there still is quite a bit to do (Forest Park's Madison, Oak Park's Lake, an improving Roosevelt corridor). And you're only about 15 minutes from the South Loop by car on the weekends.

[Avengerfire]

I swear,this scenario has been mentioned in this forum and the burb forum probably about a dozen times already.

[Attrill]

Originally Posted by BRU67

I haven't tried to go to Evanston via the Metra but I imagine it would be lengthy. I know the drive is.

It takes about 15 minutes to get from the Clybourn (Bucktown) Metra stop to Davis in Evanston, and about 25 minutes from Ogilvie (downtown) to Davis. If you're looking into taking any trains in from the West to connect downtown make sure they go to Ogilvie station, UP-W would be your best bet. The BNSF line also serves the western burbs, but it goes to Union station, not Ogilvie, which adds a 15 minute walk between trains.

[chet everett]

I completely agree with BRU67 and I would go further, saying that due to there being at least some moderately similar alternatives to get WEST to Oak Brook from the central part of Chicago and the central inner burbs that part of the trip is not the worst DRIVING commute in the region.

The trick will be minimizing the gymnastics necessary to get to Evanston, as driving there from a whole heck of the region is really tough and despite having some decent Metra service and the CTA the lack of schedule options (compared to getting to Chicago from Evanston during AM commute) makes for some tough choices.

I also will suggest, as I often do to those in this situation, that having TWO groan inducing commutes is about the worst possible solution. Far better that at least one of you has a easier than the other commute, and it might work out that such a situation prompts the other to explore a new job or remote work options...

Good Luck!


btw -- I disagree that switching from a Union Station line to an Oligivie line is a 15 minute add-on -- I have personally done this dozens of times and if you are the least bit coordinated it can be done in 5 minutes flat. http://maps.google.com/maps?q=ogilvi...N&hl=en&tab=wl I suggest using Clinton instead of Canal, both because there are fewer commuters in our way (feel like less of a salmon swimming upstream) and because when you exit Union Station on the Clinton Side you will better position yourself to enter Oligive via the the main Madison entrance while most AM commuters will be using he Riverside Plaza walkways...

[Syncmaster414]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

I swear,this scenario has been mentioned in this forum and the burb forum probably about a dozen times already.

If so, please send me the links. I have been unable to find this particular scenario via traditional search methods.