North Glen Ellyn (aka. Glendale Heights) (Wheaton, Lombard: apartment complexes, rent, condo)

[Namtaru]

My fiance and I are looking to move out of the city and buying a house out in the Glen Ellyn/Carol Stream/Wheaton area.

We have recently found one that we really like but noticed that even though it has a Glen Ellyn address, it is so far north that it is part of the Glendale Heights elementary school zones and shares a zip code with Glendale Heights (60137).

I'm trying to figure out what advantages/disadvantages this has rather than being further south in the heart of Glen Ellyn. The only problem with that being our budget of around 200 isn't enough to get something further south into Glen Ellyn that we would like.

Wondering if anyone has any opinions/advice on this area, such as if I am paying Glen Ellyn taxes but sending my kids (dont have any yet, but will) to Glendale Heights schools, how does that work in/not in my favor?
or.... Am I receiving any other benefits from paying the higher taxes of Glen Ellyn even though it's so far north?

Thanks

[TempesT68]

Both glen ellyn and glendale height have high taxes. For housing prices in comparison to the taxes for the most part glendale heights is even higher. GH schools are mediocre compared to glen ellyn as well.

[css9450]

Originally Posted by Namtaru

We have recently found one that we really like but noticed that even though it has a Glen Ellyn address, it is so far north that it is part of the Glendale Heights elementary school zones and shares a zip code with Glendale Heights (60137).

That's a Glen Ellyn zip code, at least its what we have in most parts of town. I live south of the tracks and north of Roosevelt (IE, in the heart of Glen Ellyn) and its our zip code.

Are you north or south of North Avenue?

[Namtaru]

It is north of North Ave by a couple streets.
From looking around a bit more, this area is the unincorporated area of Glen Ellyn that seems to be called Glen Ellyn Countryside.

[Namtaru]

Does anyone know anything about the unincorporated area north of glen ellyn?
Any possible plans to be annexed by GH or GE in the future, or have there been talks about it in the past?

I personally dont mine the aspect of a well and septic, i grew up in Michigan and am very familiar with both, but not sure about the other aspects of buying in an unincorporated area.

[chet everett]

...a handful of folks LOVE the idea of not having to pay taxes to a Village/City, while some people tend to really be turned by the thought of not being on municipal systems / having equal access to park districts / libraries . Most folks don't care all that much...

The schools are the biggest thing to most folks, and it is probably fair to generalize that due to less stringent zoning in unincorporated areas there are a greater percentage of apartment complexes, with less frequent Sherif's patrols, and subsequently kids that move a bit more frequently and have different levels of acheivement...

Depending on what sort of a bargain hunter you are it may be wise to shop for a better deal in a more desirable area, or maybe rent / save up.

The odds of any currently unincorporated place gutted annexed varies depending on what sort tax pluses there might be and what sort of fight residents might put up.even after annexation schools boundaries would almost certainly NOT shift...

For long term appreciation and better access to trains there are probably spots in Wheaton and Lombard that I would investigate.

[NorCal Dude]

Hm, I grew up on park and Coolidge, south of Roosevelt and we were 60137 as well.

[sarabeth1111]

The zip code for Glendale Heights is actually 60139. we've been living here for 15+ years, although our kids actually attended high school in Glen Ellyn, aka "The Castle on the Hill.". Why? We have no idea! Our neighbors kids attended school in Lombard, and our current tenants' kids now attend school in Glendale Heights. We still live in Glendale Heights, just moved into a much bigger house, right around the corner.

Yes, the tax rates here are high, in fact, Glendale Heights has the highest tax rates in Dupage County, but the property values are lower, which offsets the higher tax rates. We successfully appealed our property tax assessment, so our taxes are rather reasonable.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to those here who have been giving Glendale Heights such a bad rep. I mean that sincerely, because it is your efforts which enabled us to buy our gigantic, and quite lovely, brick home on a full acre of property, for less than the cost of the average 1 bedroom condo in Glen Ellyn.

We've never had any problems here, and really like living here, so again, thanks!

[NorCal Dude]

Castle on a hill? When I was growing up we called Glenbard West 'The dump on the hump'. LoL

[sarabeth1111]

Originally Posted by NorCal Dude

Castle on a hill? When I was growing up we called Glenbard West 'The dump on the hump'. LoL

LOL! Never heard that before. that's hysterical.

The school is actually pretty highly rated, like in the top 10% in the country. There were a lot of things I didn't especially care for, but it is considered a good school.