32 and working in Deerfield. Where to live? (Chicago, Naperville: fit in, rental)

[jman07]

I am 32 and single and will be working in Deerfield. I wanted to know the best area to live in. Right now I live in the city in Lakeview, but am growing tired of the city. So far, I think my best two choices are Arlington Heights and Evanston. But the rents seem about the same as the city, and they still feel like the city. I was kind of looking for more green space and open space and laid back people.

[elanmorin25]

Park Ridge is very nice, but is expensive and traffic northbound on 294 in the morning can be tough.

It might be worth looking in Highwood, there's better nightlife there compared to Deerfield or Northbrook and rents are a little cheaper than in the surrounding towns.

If you can live near the UP-N metra then you have easy access to Evanston, Lincoln Square (Ravenswood), Bucktown/Wicker Park (Clybourn), and the loop.

You could also look at Mt Prospect. Or go far west towards Barrington for more land, but those aren't as great places to live if you're single as it's almost entirely families.

[Lookout Kid]

Deerfield is greener and less dense than Arlington Heights or Evanston. I'm not sure what the rental situation is there, though. Not much action there, but maybe this is what you want? Maybe try Libertyville if you want a nice downtown area but more open space?

If you just want more open space, the towns west of Deerfield have a lot of it.

[jman07]

I also want people my age and single.

[ToriaT]

What about highland park? It seems to have a lively downtown.

[jman07]

Originally Posted by ToriaT

What about highland park? It seems to have a lively downtown.

It's all rich families. I don't see how I could fit into that environment.I said my age and single.

[cubssoxfan]

Arlington Heights.

[Lookout Kid]

How much open space do you really need? If Arlington Heights is too urban for you, I'm having trouble finding an alternative. There are certainly suburbs with little hubs of nightlife activity, but they will almost always be more family oriented in general than what you are used to.

Could you just stay in the city and just move to Lincoln Square or some quieter neighborhood?

I don't think your age will be a problem in the burbs. Lot's of people in the burbs are in their early 30's, but most of them have kids.

I know there is some kind of singles scene out in the burbs in places like Schaumburg and Naperville, but I haven't been exposed to it. If you want to live in the burbs, you may have to meet people online or through activities other than night life. Even in Chicago, do you really know many relationships that started in bars?

[knitgirl]

You're not going to find a lot of singles in areas with tons of green space. If Evanston and Arlington Heights are too urban for you, and Highland Park is just rich families, I don't think you're going to find what you're looking for.

[jman07]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

How much open space do you really need? If Arlington Heights is too urban for you, I'm having trouble finding an alternative. There are certainly suburbs with little hubs of nightlife activity, but they will almost always be more family oriented in general than what you are used to.

Could you just stay in the city and just move to Lincoln Square or some quieter neighborhood?

I don't think your age will be a problem in the burbs. Lot's of people in the burbs are in their early 30's, but most of them have kids.

I know there is some kind of singles scene out in the burbs in places like Schaumburg and Naperville, but I haven't been exposed to it. If you want to live in the burbs, you may have to meet people online or through activities other than night life. Even in Chicago, do you really know many relationships that started in bars?

Well Arlington Heights downtown is pretty urban. I don't know if it even matters where I live, because I only really go out once a week on Saturdays. I could basically take the train in for that. I guess its just depressing to see families everywhere when I would be single.