Where shall we live if my husband works in Itasca and I work in downtown Chicago? (Oak Park: home, neighborhood) - Chicago Suburbs - Illinois (IL) - City-Data Forum

tashastring · 02-09-2011, 03:24 PM

My husband and I are moving to Chicago at the end of this month and we have no idea where to live. My husband's job is based in Itasca and I work in the city. We want somewhere mid-way so as to minimise traffic for both of us, but still a beautiful neighborhood with young professionals and shops, bars, etc. We both have a car. Some people are suggesting Oak Park but others say it's boring and not a very pretty area.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks

chicagojlo · 02-09-2011, 04:29 PM

It depends on your budget, what kind of home you want, whether you need to consider schools etc etc etc.

And unless you have a job that requires driving or has odd hours leave the car at home and take the Metra.

tashastring · 02-09-2011, 04:57 PM

we have a fairly generous budget - round $1900 a month. we don't have children so no schools necessary. i dont mind taking the metra as I've heard how expensive parking is in the city. we'd like a trendy neighborhood with young professionals (we're in our late 20s, early 30s), which is safe and pretty. maybe with a park. near shops and bars, etc.

do you have any suggestions? what about Ukrainian Village?

oakparkdude · 02-09-2011, 04:59 PM

How long a commute would your husband consider acceptable? Is his job close to the Itasca Metra station?

tashastring · 02-09-2011, 05:15 PM

I'm not sure if it's near the station, the address of the office is W Hawthorn Dr, Itasca, IL 60143. I think he's prepared to travel for around 30/40 mins each way.

Any suggestions?

oakparkdude · 02-09-2011, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tashastring

I'm not sure if it's near the station, the address of the office is W Hawthorn Dr, Itasca, IL 60143. I think he's prepared to travel for around 30/40 mins each way.

Any suggestions?

Looks about 1.5 to 2 miles from the Itasca Metra station to his workplace. The route doesn't appear particularly bike or pedestrian friendly either. However, you're in luck. There is a suburban bus - Pace bus 616 (http://pacebus.com/sub/schedules/rou...sp?RouteNo=616) which will pick up at the Metra and drop off close to work (within 1 block) in the AM and do the reverse in the PM. The bus schedule is coordinated to meet up with the Metra train. The vast majority of suburban Chicago does not have this option.

You're best bet is to live near a station on the same like as the Itasca station. This is the Metra Milwaukee District West line (http://metrarail.com/metra/en/home/m...dule.full.html) and it has city stations in Ukrainian village (Western Ave) and downtown (Union Station). Its about 30 minutes by train plus connection time, plus 5-10 minutes by bus.

My guess is 40 minute drive from Oak Park, 1 hour + from any trendy city neighborhood.

tashastring · 02-09-2011, 05:56 PM

thank you so so so much for that information! i really appreciate it! do you like Oak Park? Is it trendy? I hope it's not too far by train to downtown....

TempesT68 · 02-09-2011, 06:36 PM

Oak park isn't bad and has a really nice downtown. forest park could be an option as well though it sounds like what you really want is to live in the city itself.

tashastring · 02-09-2011, 06:45 PM

Yes, I would much rather prefer to live in Gold Coast/ Lincoln Park area. Also Bucktown. But we have the problem with my husband's job.

Any other trendy, yet safe, areas better than Oak Park that are more similar to the abovementioned areas?

TempesT68 · 02-09-2011, 07:03 PM

Like i mentioned forest park is the only one that comes to mind. The downtown isn't that huge, but has a few bars, restaurants and a pretty decent nightlife.