Can we really buy in Evanston for $275K? (Chicago, Oak Park: for sale, foreclosures)

[Three Dog Night]

What a great forum! Just stumbled on it.

My husband just got a job at Northwestern University, so we will be moving to Chicagoland. We're looking for the same thing most families are: great schools for our 7-year old, a safe neighborhood. We like to think of ourselves as the 'Evanston/Oak Park' types...older suburbs, liberalish feel, etc. (Actually I grew up in Oak Park 20 years ago and have fond memories.)

However, money is going to be our problem. My husband HATES a long driving commute (doesn't mind public transit). It'd be great to find something in Evanston within walking distance or a short drive from campus. We'd actually be quite interested in a condo. Does what we're looking for exist, though? A nice condo-type neighborhood in a good school area in our price range? I can find condos and prices on the web, but I don't know the neighborhoods or schools so I'm looking for insider opinions.

Or, can you recommend another nearby suburb that might fit the bill? Thanks.

[chet everett]

With the short sales and foreclosures effecting pretty much every area there are LOTS of places in the "safe but boring" parts of Evanston that are currently listed under $300k that a few years back may have changed hands for $400k+...

Personally these sorts of 3 bedroom ranches and "NW side bungalows" do nothing for me, but if you want to be <font color="#ff33cc">E</font><font color="#ff7799">V</font><font color="#ffbb66">A</font><font color="#7F5A58">N</font><font color="#808000">S</font><font color="#bbbb66">T</font><font color="#777799">O</font><font color="#3333cc">N</font> it is certainly a much better bet than a condo with high association fees, taxes, neighbors that may not be eager to have more children around...

The EVANSTON schools alone are enough for some folks, and working in town is probably worth living in "meh" section for the short commute alone...

[Manigault]

Save some for the yearly taxes!

[Three Dog Night]

Well...we sort of prefer a condo to a house if we can find something in our price range. I think I'd pay an association fee pretty happily if it meant no shoveling, mowing and exterior maintenance. Chet, do I take it from your post that condo areas (if there are any) aren't that kid-friendly? Um, and I haven't even mentioned my dogs. I may really be dreaming.

[Rlest8]

Try looking for condos in Wilmette. Easy commute, great schools, kid friendly.

[nana053]

Check these listings for homes in Evanston. There appear to be a bunch listed for less than $275,000. Of course, without logging in to check the addresses, I cannot say what kinds of neighborhoods they are in. Oooh, I can get the addresses by googling the MLS #s. Some of them are in fine neighborhoods. I would say go with single family homes because I don't think most condos are dog friendly *or* kid friendly, though some probably are. One of them is near where an old friend of mine lives on Cleveland Avenue (south Evanston - though - somewhat longish walking distance to the *el*)
Another is on Grey which is where my dd's girl scout leader lived. Again not really walking distance to the el unless you like to walk. Certainly both are within biking distance of the el though.
Most seem to be a bit west, so not really an easy walk to the el or metra.

Evanston 3 Bedroom Homes for Sale in Evanston, IL (http://www.evanstonhomesrealestate.com/Evanston3Bedroom.asp?offset=110 - broken link)

It also depends on how many bedrooms you need, etc.