Possible relocation to Arlington Heights (Roselle: house, public schools, landlords)

[Susandyer1962]

My husband just got a job in Roselle. We currently live in SE Wisconsin. The commute is almost an hour and a half. We are thinking of relocating to AH. We have two girls ages ten and six. Do you recommend this area and do you know anything about the public schools there? Thank you so much in advance for any information you can provide us!

[chet everett]

There are numerous posts about Arlington Heights as well as some of the other towns that may be close to Roselle. In general, AH offers a nice range of housing and some pretty decent values for the region. The schools are better performing than many of their neighbors, but not as highly rated as in some of the more costly areas. A nice trade-off between between very price towns and the less desirable areas for those that work in the NW suburbs.

Price range is probably key, as is tolerance for commute distance, as you might get a little more house for your money with a little longer commute and/or a little nicer range of schools im pricer areas.

The kids are in grade school so I would expect that you want both a short term good school situation as well as longer term prospects for high school to be promising and that gets harder and harder to predict with the uncertainty that comes from the failure of our legislators to deal with funding issues. Personally that might me to seek out the least expensive home in the best rated school area, especially with just two kids, but everyone will have their own priorities...

[linicx]

Most of the high schools in Illinois are on a State Watch List due to the failure to meet federal education standards. It doesn't seem to make much difference whether you live in an expensive town or not. the difference between the town with a median income of $186,000 and the "less desirable" town that Chet talks about may only have a median income of $160,000. The difference is not the $25K or the color of the money, it is the diversity of race. It is very difficult to find a town with no minorities any where in Illinois - unless you go to an obscure farm town -- and even then there is no guarantee.

If diversity is a worry, do look at the demographics of each town you consider and also look for advantages your children might have. I think you will be very surprised at what Arlington Heights offers besides the race track.

There is absolutely not guarantee any high school will be a success or a failure four years*from now or ten years from now. Generally speaking parents who are involved with the teachers and schools, homework, and after school activities, have children who do well in school despite the naysayers.

[ToriaT]

I like arlington hts. If I had to relocate to the nw suburbs it would be top on my list.

[Susandyer1962]

Thank you for the info everyone! AH is still at the top of our list! I'm so excited!!

[LakeShoreSoxGo]

Why not just live in Roselle?

[knitgirl]

I grew up in Roselle and it's a reasonably pleasant, if rather boring town. The schools in AH are probably better, but I did end up going to a top university, so I wasn't hindered by that.

[Susandyer1962]

Thank you all for the information! We found a great house and really nice landlords! I'm so excited to get out of Cheeseland! We are moving in July!

[knitgirl]

Where did you decide to move to?

[Susandyer1962]

We found a cute split level in Arlington Heights! Perfect for Us!