Family Friendly AND Downtown Commute Friendly Places ?

[lyhamilton]

We live in Old Irving Park in Chicago and love it- about 4 miles to gleacher center with great transportation - blue line and metra. TONS of kids, great neighbors, starbucks, etc. We just love it.
Can get a 4 bedroom home for $600K. Good luck.

[ar2cm]

As someone who moved to the Chicago area from Ohio, we researched schools and made our decision based on that. Husband works downtown, so we searched the whole chicagoland area and based on our research into schools, we chose Lemont, IL. Excellent small schools (no 3,000 plus kids in one school here), affordable housing, small town feel, and outstanding interstate access in all directions. The new 355 extension is also very convenient. Housing in Lemont is eclectic with many styles and price ranges to choose from. For example, on my block there is currently listed a new victorian 3 story home with over 4,000 square feet that is listed for less than the owners purchased for last year. There are incredible housing bargains in Lemont right now and it would be an excellent time for a young family to see what a great town it is. We have been very pleased living in Lemont, and thiink it is a hidden gem in the suburbs of Chicago. Good luck in your search.

[Windy City John]

Wheaton is a great bargain now.

[SloopyJ]

Can I offer a slightly different take on this? I, too, did the part-time MBA thing downtown, and while I am sure everyone on this board loves the town they live in, I think you would be CRAZY to try to commute from Naperville for your MBA. Being away from your family for 3 hours on Tuesday and Thursday nights is one thing, but adding 2+ hours of commute time to that window is nuts. Plus, you would have to do the same thing every time there's a group gathering or social event.

Most of the part-time students I went to school with lived in the city, and I would strongly consider you look into the city as well. It would probably mean private school for your 4-year-old, but it sounds like you could afford it. My personal recommendation (based on experience with young kids in the city) is Dearborn Park in the South Loop for convenience to downtown and a high concentration of young, diverse, upscale families with kids. But others will make a case for Wicker Park, Bucktown, Old Irving, Lincoln Park, or any number of other great city neighborhoods.

Keep in mind, you can always live downtown for the 3 years or so you'd be in school, and then move to the 'burbs for free schools after that, which is about when your younger child would be starting school.

[Windy City John]

sound advice-- just dont expect a yard and a 2 car garage!

[SloopyJ]

Originally Posted by Windy City John

sound advice-- just dont expect a yard and a 2 car garage!

Why not? I have a (small) yard and a 2-car garage, as do many, many folks on the north side. A big suburban-sized yard, no, but a small yard plus a beautiful park/playground half a block away makes for some nice livin'.

[tcs1366]

>> then move to the 'burbs for free schools after that, which is about when your younger child would be starting school.

I just wanted to comment on this.... i do not believe there is such thing as Free School anymore. Granted, it wont be as high as private school, but public schools are not free.

on top of my taxes, i paid $500 this year for a senior, though $100 of that was for a parking permit. anyone taking drivers Ed, that's huge increase due to high fuel costs.
the sophomore was $160 higher than JR year. it's insane... but still cheaper than private schools.

sorry to be so OT on the subject though.

[MovingBack243]

It seems like every post has someone recommending Naperville. I lived there for many years and most of my family lives there. I love it but I think it's important when making recommendations to people who are moving into the Chicagoland area to let them know about the MANY other great suburbs that also have great downtowns, schools etc. Here are few if you need family friendly and an easy commute Glen Ellyn, Elmhurst, Downers Grove, Arlington Heights, Wilmette, Evanston (near Northwesterns Campus), Western Springs, Orland Park, La Grange and La Grange Park. Naperville is not in anyway an easy commute unless you have someone drop you off and p/u at the station (there is zero parking so you will have to commute by bus before you commute by train). There are just too many people in Naperville commuting from the 2 stations they have. Hope this helps! You can always visit Naperville and enjoy the amentities without having to deal with their traffic or commuting issues : )

[nanannie]

Originally Posted by MovingBack243

It seems like every post has someone recommending Naperville. I lived there for many years and most of my family lives there. I love it but I think it's important when making recommendations to people who are moving into the Chicagoland area to let them know about the MANY other great suburbs that also have great downtowns, schools etc. Here are few if you need family friendly and an easy commute Glen Ellyn, Elmhurst, Downers Grove, Arlington Heights, Wilmette, Evanston (near Northwesterns Campus), Western Springs, Orland Park, La Grange and La Grange Park. Naperville is not in anyway an easy commute unless you have someone drop you off and p/u at the station (there is zero parking so you will have to commute by bus before you commute by train). There are just too many people in Naperville commuting from the 2 stations they have. Hope this helps! You can always visit Naperville and enjoy the amentities without having to deal with their traffic or commuting issues : )

Certainly agree !!