which is best chicago suburb for family? (good school, big yard, safe) (Naperville: how much, houses)

[momsuz123]

Hi all,
We may be moving into chicago. We have 3 small kids with 2 in grade school. We live in the suburbs (30-40 minutes outside of Milwaukee Cty). Where can we find a safe suburb, yards about 1 acre, great schools, and decent size houses (about 3000sf)? How far out of chicago do we have to go to find this?

[tonythetuna]

Originally Posted by momsuz123

Where can we find a safe suburb, yards about 1 acre, great schools, and decent size houses (about 3000sf)? How far out of chicago do we have to go to find this?

Depends how much money you can spend.

[momsuz123]

How about $500,000.

[chet everett]

...I think you probably need to stay in Wisconsin. If you can compromise down to even 1/2 or 3/4 acres, 2500 sf ft house and 'pretty darned good' schools things look a lot more realistic.

Towns lying due west in central part of DuPage Co like Downers Grove, fringe areas around Glen Ellyn / Wheaton / Winfield / warrenville / unincorporated Naperville are about 20 - 30 miles from the Loop, going closer you would see prices SOAR, lot size SHRINK though schools tend to have better performance numbers... Safety is first rate in all the towns I would reccommend.

Heading south / southwest you have some different challenges, with a belt of close in burbs where both house and lot sizes are tiny, followed by some towns that have some issues with either school quality of safetynor both, so you might end up 40 miles from the Loop...

North / northwest the affordability factor is biggest challenge, and by the time you get into the band of towns where your budget buys the land and house size you are looking for, together with schools of at least "really good" you are again 40 miles or more from the Loop.

[chicagojlo]

Where you will be working also plays a part, and whether you will be needing to drive or can/prefer to take the Metra.

[Chuckity]

Here you go ....

Built in 1994, 5 bed, 5 bath, 3100 sq. ft, 3.3 acres.

Heated in ground pool, walkout basement, 3 car attached garage, separate 5 car detached garage.

$499,900.

The drawback? It's in Chesterton, Indiana & the train is 1 hour, 20 min. from the Dune Park station to Randolph St. in Chgo.

Schools are good, taxes are low (this one is about $3200), and people definitely commute from Chesterton to Chgo on a daily basis. The key to making this BIG commute work is how badly you need the space, serenity & slower life style pace in your home life. It works for some people - not for others ... entirely personal decision.

[chicagojlo]

And you have to live in Indiana.

[nanannie]

Originally Posted by momsuz123

Hi all,
We may be moving into chicago. We have 3 small kids with 2 in grade school. We live in the suburbs (30-40 minutes outside of Milwaukee Cty). Where can we find a safe suburb, yards about 1 acre, great schools, and decent size houses (about 3000sf)? How far out of chicago do we have to go to find this?

Check on REALTOR.COM in Barrington. There are several homes with an acre or more, great schools and the size home you want. With the market,homes are "discounted" a great deal here. The train to the city is approx 50 min. Its a very pretty suburb, cute downtown, close to great shopping, alot of family activies and park dist with wonderful kids programs. We chose the area for the schools, space and countryside. Husband commuted to the city for several years, never a problam. Kids went thru the school system, still have one there, and we are very pleased. Beautiful schools, brand new pre school, nice library. And no, I am not a realtor
Good luck to you.

[chet everett]

...the boom and subsequent collapse of many burbs further out than Barrington has helped to force folks to reprice offerings. Distance from Barrington to the Loop is a bit of long ride on Metra non-expresses, and driving can be extremely painful, but solid employment options in NW burbs can make for decent commute.

I would not want to direct OP to Barrington if employment is someplace like Winfield, anymore than I would recommend south Naperville fringe if work is in Elgin. Really need more info nowhere job will be...

[nanannie]

Originally Posted by chet everett

...the boom and subsequent collapse of many burbs further out than Barrington has helped to force folks to reprice offerings. Distance from Barrington to the Loop is a bit of long ride on Metra non-expresses, and driving can be extremely painful, but solid employment options in NW burbs can make for decent commute.

I would not want to direct OP to Barrington if employment is someplace like Winfield, anymore than I would recommend south Naperville fringe if work is in Elgin. Really need more info nowhere job will be...

All true.
I assumed when op said "how far out of Chciago" that the commute was Chicago. Reading again, it wasnt really made clear.