Questions about North Suburbs (Des Plaines, Glenview, maybe others) (Chicago: apartment, rentals)

[bobsell]

My family and I are planning on moving to the North Suburbs, and have questions about some places.


Downtown Des Plaines:

I like that it is close to the Metra. I do worry about noise from trains at night, though the Metra doesn't run at night. Is my concern unfounded? I think it is far enough from O'Hare to not be a problem for airport noise...

I remember seeing news reports about Des Plaines being flooded from time to time, are there areas that flooding would impact? South of Downtown Des Plaines I see apartment buildings but they're by the river, does flooding impact them?

Des Plaines north:

I've seen lots of cheap rentals along Holly Lane and Lyman lane. Driving by, I got a "meh" vibe about the place. Anyone have any information about them?


Glenview
Along Dearlove, I've noticed many condos for rent, is anyone familar with them?

[chet everett]

In general there are probably more condos for rent in the region than at any time previous. The combination of overbuilding and poor appreciation means many folks that bought condos have been forced into the "involuntary landlord role". If the area otherwise meets your needs a rental condo can be a cost effective alternative to an apartment.

DesPlaines has done a nice job redeveloping their downtown. It offers a nice mix of rentals, shopping and dining. Trains for Metra stop around 1AM but freights do run through the night. Noise is a relative thing, with some folks being upset by the slight rumble from miles away and others being totally fine living right up against the tracks.

Parts of DesPlaines are impacted pretty significantly by plane noise from O'Hare, very much depends on flight path. Some folks luck out with a relative zone of quiet and others just a half a mile or so away are right under the worst of it.

The areas that are most flood prone have been those closest to the river. Other parts of town that are just a little bit further have no impact.

Driving around impressions are mostly accurate. DesPlaines is not as well rated for schools and such as neighboring towns like Park Ridge, Mt. Prospect or Arlington Heights. That said it is still a desirable suburb and has a lot of value at most every price point. If schools are important to you it makes sense to cross shop other towns. If you don't need schools then just compare how far your money goes.

[cubssoxfan]

What are you looking for?
Budget and size of apartment?
Any kids-are schools important?
What do you want to be close to?
What hobbies or recreational activities do you want to be close to?
Where is work-where do you need to commute to?

[bobsell]

Originally Posted by cubssoxfan

What are you looking for?
Budget and size of apartment?
Any kids-are schools important?
What do you want to be close to?
What hobbies or recreational activities do you want to be close to?
Where is work-where do you need to commute to?

2BR, trying to stay on the low end on the rent, so no bells and whistles. Just looking for a safe, clean, quiet apartment for my family.

Schools: Unimportant.

I want to be near the Metra. And maybe Golf Road and Milwaukee for alternate bus routes to commute to other suburbs.

hobbies, recreational: I don't care.

work: Depends. I've worked downtown Chicago a lot and would like to continue working there. But I don't want to live in the city anymore, so moving out.

Originally Posted by chet everett

In general there are probably more condos for rent in the region than at any time previous. The combination of overbuilding and poor appreciation means many folks that bought condos have been forced into the "involuntary landlord role". If the area otherwise meets your needs a rental condo can be a cost effective alternative to an apartment.

I'm concerned about the "involuntary landlords" I'd be worried about their willingness to fix things, etc.

Trains for Metra stop around 1AM but freights do run through the night. Noise is a relative thing, with some folks being upset by the slight rumble from miles away and others being totally fine living right up against the tracks.

Do they blow the whistle at night? They seem to do that in the SW side of Chicago a lot.

Parts of DesPlaines are impacted pretty significantly by plane noise from O'Hare, very much depends on flight path. Some folks luck out with a relative zone of quiet and others just a half a mile or so away are right under the worst of it.

How's downtown Des Plaines with noise?

The areas that are most flood prone have been those closest to the river. Other parts of town that are just a little bit further have no impact.

Do you know what areas? For example I see parts south of downtown Des Plaines which are close to the river but the river is seriously low (like 14 feet below street level) so I am doubting flood.

[LakeShoreSoxGo]

I can't do Des Plaines. Every single time I am there, it feels like I have to stop for those 100 car freight trains.

[linicx]

Trains I believe area required to sound the horn as they approach any crossing - especially if it is heavily traveled. I live two blocks from a train. It only annoys me when it blocks traffic and I am in it. If train and air traffic was even mildly annoying to me I probably wouldn't move there.

[chet everett]

I think the crossing that have dividers are exempt from the whistle rule...

Suburbs Get Funding To Try Train-horn Alternatives - Chicago Tribune
These are in Ohio but I am pretty sure DesPlaines has similar:

[166181]

I'd say Glenview. Glenview is 8 minutes from O'Hare, it has good housing, and condos. It has excellent schools with huge spending per student, it is good for recreation, and it is low crime. It is also an affluent community however, this may be positive or negative.

[chet everett]

8 minutes???

I know for a fact that even in an actual military jet you'd have a hard time getting from Glenview to O'Hare that quickly...

Originally Posted by 166181

I'd say Glenview. Glenview is 8 minutes from O'Hare, it has good housing, and condos. It has excellent schools with huge spending per student, it is good for recreation, and it is low crime. It is also an affluent community however, this may be positive or negative.

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by chet everett

8 minutes???

I know for a fact that even in an actual military jet you'd have a hard time getting from Glenview to O'Hare that quickly...

Oh, it's easy. Start at 3AM. Use your 4x4 to enter 294 at Lake Av. A-Team style (since there are no ramps at that intersection) from your adjacent townhome, then drive about 90MPH down 294 to the gates at O'Hare. You COULD do that in 8 minutes.