Moving to Chicago/Working in Merrillville (Gary, Hammond: living in, cost of, dangerous)

[alaskagrown]

My husband and I are moving to Chicago (or Merrillville). I'll be working downtown; he'll be working in Merrillville. He'll have a vehicle issued and paid for (including gas) by work. Will it be easier for him to commute to Merrillville from Chicago (live in Chicago), or should we live in Merrillville and have me commute to Chicago every morning? Is it easier to commute into Chicago from Merrillville on public transportation or to commute into Merrillville from Chicago in a vehicle (gas paid for by work)? We're having trouble figuring out which way to go.

[Michelle Morris]

If you commute to Merrillville, you will be going the opposite way of most everyone else. M'ville to Chicago is not a very long drive, but I would personally prefer to live closer the Chicago and commute to M'ville. It would probably be more expensive for a place to live in Chicago though. But you could make up for that in car and gas... Hmmm, this is a tough one! I hope you figure it out!

[domergurl]

MJ is right. If the car and gas are provided, and you can afford to live in or around Chicago, the public transit is better across the state line. Will you live in the south burbs? You may want to post over in the Illinois boards to see what they say over there.

[WildWestDude]

wasn't there another thread just like this one?

[david t]

Why live in Merrillvile? cost? the south burbs are growing now and most everything is here, the way to go downtown Chi-town is by Metra its the way to really fly (their slogan).
What kinda lifestyle do you have Fast, med, slow?
The city is fast paced and getting really expensive with less and less greenery.
I would consider somewhere along the I80 corridor this way he can shoot 80 into Indy and you can take the train to downtown. I am Chicago born and raised and this town as well as surrounding areas has whatever you need.
I know a fella who lives in Merrillvile and drives to the town Mokena, IL. says he loves it 45 min one way. He lives with his folks on a farm and comes into IL. for work.

[alaskagrown]

Thanks guys. Which southern chicago suberb would you recommend? Is there a safe one with enough to do (we'd like at least a good taste of city life) that is close to the main roads for him and where public transportation is easily reached for me? We know nothing about Chicago and don't want to end up someplace too dull or too dangerous.

[WildWestDude]

Munster, St. John are good choices
Cost of living in Indiana is much lower

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by LakeBend

Munster, St. John are good choices
Cost of living in Indiana is much lower

As far as the Illinois side goes ... Tinley Park maybe? They have a Metra station and it's a straight shot east into Indiana.

But on the Indiana side (mind you, your public transit will be more of a pain since you'll have to drive to Hammond, Gary or Miller, which can be dicey), St. John and Munster are good choices.

[skyeINIL]

Originally Posted by domergurl

As far as the Illinois side goes ... Tinley Park maybe? They have a Metra station and it's a straight shot east into Indiana.

But on the Indiana side (mind you, your public transit will be more of a pain since you'll have to drive to Hammond, Gary or Miller, which can be dicey), St. John and Munster are good choices.

If she is driving to those towns just to take the train, she will be fine. Thousands of commuters use those stations everyday with no problems. I'd be more worried about the horrible South Shore train service.

[Capt. Dan]

Sorry! But I would NEVER let my wife park in Gary and wait for a train. At one one of the South Shore stations to the east maybe. But not Gary! Just my opinion.