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Thanks for the tip on Long Grove--no one else had mentioned it to us. I'll check it out. Also, we drove through this area called the Glen in Glenview. It didn't remind me of Laguna Beach, but it did remind me of inland OC, and it seemed more lively. I'll ask more about this area in the Chicago suburbs forum, but I'd be interested in opinions.
Skelaki--we've looked at Lincoln Park as well, which is nice, but we're concerned about schools and crime. It seems like really nice areas are quite close to subsidized housing. We don't know how long we'll be here, and everyone I've spoken with has said we can expect to pay private school tuition for high school if our kids don't get into a selective admissions school.
Chicago as a whole is pretty safe... when you hear of homicides and such (which can be higher than LA) it is usually confined to real ghetto areas.. which are far away from much of the best areas in the city. Basically, within 10-15 miles radius of the downtown should be good... except the west side.
You should check out Old Town... don't really know if it is great for families but you'll love the area. Its pretty yuppie if you are into that sorta thing. Old brick homes looks like Boston except more modern. Lincoln park is VERY safe (I went to Depaul which is in Lincoln Park). If you really want a suburb, check out Oak Brook (they even have a house there designed by that one famous architect that I can't remember) or Evanston. Glenview is also family oriented.
You'll dislike the winter, but you'll have a REAL atmosphere for the holidays.
Crap.. you are making me miss the city already (I'm planning on moving to Orange County/ SD/ AZ this summer)..
The one known for desiging interesting structures with flat, leaky roofs that are perfect for Midwest winters?
Yes,that famous architect. We could actually use some of his design influence here in South County. Then, at least, I would be able to get the Weeds theme song out of my head.
Little Boxes
Little boxes on the hillside, Little boxes made of tickytacky
Little boxes on the hillside, little boxes all the same
There's a green one and a pink one and a blue one and a yellow one
And they're all made out of ticky tacky and they all look just the same.
And the people in the houses all went to the university
Where they were put in boxes and they came out all the same,
And there's doctors and lawyers, and business executives
And they're all made out of ticky tacky and they all look just the same.
And they all play on the golf course and drink their martinis dry,
And they all have pretty children and the children go to school
And the children go to summer camp and then to the university
Where they are put in boxes and they come out all the same.
And the boys go into business and marry and raise a family
In boxes made of ticky tacky and they all look just the same.
There's a pink one and a green one and a blue one and a yellow one
And they're all made out of ticky tacky and they all look just the same.
-Malvina Reynolds
For what its worth, yes, New Trier is THE high school here that everyone wants their kids in and our children are in the New Trier district. It's a wonderful district but it is VERY expensive.
Yes,that famous architect. We could actually use some of his design influence here in South County. Then, at least, I would be able to get the Weeds theme song out of my head.
Little Boxes
Little boxes on the hillside, Little boxes made of tickytacky Little boxes on the hillside, little boxes all the same There's a green one and a pink one and a blue one and a yellow one And they're all made out of ticky tacky and they all look just the same.
And the people in the houses all went to the university Where they were put in boxes and they came out all the same, And there's doctors and lawyers, and business executives And they're all made out of ticky tacky and they all look just the same.
And they all play on the golf course and drink their martinis dry, And they all have pretty children and the children go to school And the children go to summer camp and then to the university Where they are put in boxes and they come out all the same.
And the boys go into business and marry and raise a family In boxes made of ticky tacky and they all look just the same. There's a pink one and a green one and a blue one and a yellow one And they're all made out of ticky tacky and they all look just the same. -Malvina Reynolds
I love this. It sums up south OC perfectly. (And quite a few other places. Not many people can understand why I preferred to live In Santa Ana when we could afford to live in Irvine ot M.V., but the write of this song would. What is "Weeds"?
Not many people can understand why I preferred to live In Santa Ana when we could afford to live in Irvine ot M.V.
I do!
Weeds (as in marijuana) is a farcical series starring Mary Louise-Parker about suburban life in California. A lot of people swear it must be about Orange County. It’s an exaggerated focus on the drug abuse, divorce and dysfunction found just beneath the surface of a sterile “picture perfect” setting. You can catch old episodes on Netflix if you don’t subscribe to Showtime. I would suggest starting with the first episode on Instant Play. You won’t regret it. It looks like embedding is disabled, so you make have to go directly to YouTube to see it by clicking on "Watch on YouTube."
Here’s a YouTube clip opening with the Little Boxes theme song:
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Then, at least, I would be able to get the Weeds theme song out of my head.
