Moving to Chicago from Vancouver help with location (Lincoln: apartment, townhouse)

[terriburns]

Hi I'm looking for some help with our current move. We are torn about where to relocate to in Chigago. We are middle class with 2 children 1 entering her freshman year in high school and the other a baby. We have $500,000 to $700,000 budget for a house, apartment, or townhouse. I work at O'Hare but only commute once a week and driving or public transit would work but I dont want it to take more than say 1 hour even with traffic. We would classify ourselves as city people, currently we live on the 31st floor downtown highrise in Vancouver and love it but Vancouver downtown is very residential, and family friendly. We need a place that we can get to the city easy and the airport, that has good schools and good night life and entertainment. I have looked at Lincoln Park area and near north, river north but do not know if these are the best. In those ares we would be looking for 1500 sq/ft 3bdrm and walking distance to everything. I would also (to compare) like to know if we gave up our city life for the burbs, could you suggest one that would still allow us to travel to the city quickly and easily mostly in the evening, be close enough to O'Hare and maybe allow us to purchase a newer, more modern, larger home with better options for the children. Thank you.

[Drover]

The biggest obstacle to living in Chicago proper is the quality and condition of the public schools. Are you willing to put your son in a private school?

[david224]

I think with your budget and wants that Goldcoast, River North, and Lincoln Park would be perfect for you. The issue would be schools since you're in CPS - I would think you'd have to do a private school.

[Avengerfire]

I hate to say it but you will not find what you are looking for. You will have to compromise on one or two of your wants.

[smallvillejane]

either city+private school (30K+ per kid per year) or suburb+public school

Originally Posted by terriburns

Hi I'm looking for some help with our current move. We are torn about where to relocate to in Chigago. We are middle class with 2 children 1 entering her freshman year in high school and the other a baby. We have $500,000 to $700,000 budget for a house, apartment, or townhouse. I work at O'Hare but only commute once a week and driving or public transit would work but I dont want it to take more than say 1 hour even with traffic. We would classify ourselves as city people, currently we live on the 31st floor downtown highrise in Vancouver and love it but Vancouver downtown is very residential, and family friendly. We need a place that we can get to the city easy and the airport, that has good schools and good night life and entertainment. I have looked at Lincoln Park area and near north, river north but do not know if these are the best. In those ares we would be looking for 1500 sq/ft 3bdrm and walking distance to everything. I would also (to compare) like to know if we gave up our city life for the burbs, could you suggest one that would still allow us to travel to the city quickly and easily mostly in the evening, be close enough to O'Hare and maybe allow us to purchase a newer, more modern, larger home with better options for the children. Thank you.