Fairview metra area in Downers Grove (Chicago, Aurora: townhome, to buy, prices)

[livonian]

We are planning to move to Chicago and would like to buy a house. Criteria is to be half way between Downtown and Aurora where both of us will be working.

Tentatively we identified Downers grove area as a suitable one. How is Fairview metra around area? Blue collar or lower middle class etc?

How safe it is to walk back to home for about a quarter mile for a lady returning from work in late evening?

Thanks

[chet everett]

What makes you think this would be be "working class"?

Very safe. Quite convenient.

Here is a typical tear down in the area: 511 AUSTIN Ave, DOWNERS GROVE, IL 60515 | MLS# 07935514

[livonian]

Thanks.

Our budget is around $ 400K and we are looking for single family house or town house with about 2000-2700 sq ft range- Not very old.

The link posted for the home is beyond our budget.

[chet everett]

The whole central portion of Downers Grove is quite safe and convenient to the BNSF. I picked a more "high end" listing to showcase some of the options. There are also some wonderful homes that have been updated: 5201 FAIRMOUNT, DOWNERS GROVE, IL 60515 | MLS# 07788295

[HollyhockGarden]

Hello -
Congratulations on your new jobs and up-coming move. I would suggest, first of all, that you carefully check the train [METRA] schedule to see exactly when trains leave either Chicago or Aurora, each evening, to be sure that there will be a train that runs when you need it, and also that it makes the stop at the Fairview Avenue train station. Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Schedule . The railroad you will be travelling on is the Burlington Northern Santa Fe. It is likely that more trains will stop at the Downers Grove station rather than the Fairview Ave one, late at night. Depending on the inbound train schedule out of "rush hour" you may even need to consider driving to work.

Second, carefully consider the monthly cost of paying for a parking pass at a train station [also noting that "waiting lists" are often in place]. Over the course of ten years, this can add up to thousands of $$$ which possibly could have been spent on a home in walking distance to the station. Walking distance means free parking!! Keep in mind that over this ten year period, gas prices are not likely to decrease, so a walkable location will become increasingly important. You may want to try and find a home within walking distance to the Downers Grove station instead of Fairview, since you mentioned a non-traditional work schedule with late night hours.

With a budget of $400K, you should be able to purchase a nice home or townhome. Good luck with your move.

[Diws]

Downers Grove as a whole is very safe. There are areas of Woodridge to the west/southwest and Westmont to the east that I would be wary of, but I'll echo Chet and say that northern and central Downer's Grove should be fine, and you should have plenty of options within your budget.