Update - move for work in Downers Grove now very likely - where to live

[Chicago0304]

Originally Posted by urza216

This reminds me of South Holland. Mind you, but I've never heard anyone refer to that middle-class-black suburb as "conservative". And I might be mistaken but I think South Holland is STILL a "dry town". If it isn't, they at least have some really strict local laws about when you can sell alcohol.



Let me tell you.. If you ever are passing through, you will find that there are A LOT of churches in ghetto ass suburbs like Ford Heights and Harvey. Chuches and liquor stores. And again, "conservative" is not a label I've heard before.

Call me crazy but I've always been a believer in third times a charm. After I see a third Baptist Church, I make sure my doors are locked and the windows are rolled up.

But I digress. Any other town in the country? Really? Can you cite a link, please.. I know very little about Wheaton but I still find this hard to beleive. I think this is more likely to be the claim to fame for a town in Alabama or something.



I imagine he didn't have a whole lot of options to chose from in Chicagoland.



But how prominent is this mentality in the town? I think there are mothers like this all over the place - even San Fransisco or Evanson.

In the way you've described it, Weaton is prabobly not a place I'd want to be. I just find it ironic that some of the stuff you said is very comparable to other suburbs that tend to vote heavily Democratic.

I have alway heard about the more churches per capita, but it's
"Wheaton has 45 churches located within city limits and an additional 30 places of worship in the outlying unincorporated areas, representing nearly 40 religious denominations.[19] The Genus Edition of Trivial Pursuit states that Wheaton has "more churches per capita than any other town in America."[19]" Wheaton, Illinois - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

[ofcjim40]

Wheaton and all the suburbs around it are fine. I think some posters are blowing it out of proportion. Overall the suburbs in that area lean "conservative" but it's not like there is bible thumping in your face. What you will get in that area is a safe neighborhood with nice nice shopping and places to eat. That's a good thing in my opinion. For the most part all those suburbs feel fairly homogenous but I don't mean that in a bad way. Life is normal, politics don't run wild and there is no obvious shifts to the left or the right. Not like how some "trendy" neighborhoods in the City might be where a political preference or lifestyle preference is obvious.

[AuDiBelle]

I'd personally draw a radius around DG and look at all properties in your price range within that radius. The towns surrounding DG are all basically good to really really good, so it's going to just finding the right property in your range.

[chet everett]

The problem with many search functions is they are going to be throwing all results at you and if you are unfamiliar with the area you will gets lots of junk.

Fact is there are houses in DG that are veery undesirable due to the specifics of location--- being righ beside one of the tollways that went in fate homes were built, being up along the railroad tracks, having a massive underpass as your neighbor all drop homes into the "unsellable" category...

Short sales are generally very slow to close, 90 days would be the minimum I would plan for. Bank owned foreclosed properties are not much quicker. If you cannot budget for a six month rental I would probably avoid either...

Don't be fooled by large numbers of properties that come up in unincorporated or adjacent towns when you search on DG either, you need to understand the importance of school attendance boundaries both for your kids and you tax bill-- lots of variation. The last thing you want is to assume taxes are uniform, many folks in DuPage Co. pay far less than 2% of market value, and a handful are paying much more that, especially with the big drops that some folks have seen in value but not reflected in assessment... If you shop more stable areas you have bette luck of not getting a big surprise.

[chet everett]

...have you though about buying this bridge I have for sale!

The relative conservatism of Wheaton is no more visible than the alleged liberalness of Evanston or Oak Park where strict clothing optional policies allow most official governmental business to be conducted in the nude, poly armory is the norm and public bestiality is encouraged as weather allows...


Do you really thing that any of these many churches have much influence? Puhleeeeze.

[StoneOne]

After having looked at a number of communities, Naperville was the best fit for us. We chose a rental SFH in an older section (c. 1960s) of the city not far from downtown. Depending how the job goes and how much we like the neighborhood and the house, this may very well turn in to a purchase within 6-12 months' time (lease was signed for 1 year but house was also listed for sale at the time lease was signed).

Will be posting back more with other real estate specific and Naperville-specific threads.

Thanks again everyone. Due to make the move in about two weeks.

[ofcjim40]

You should really enjoy the area. Hope all goes smooth.