Advice please. Relocating. Northern or Western suburbs? (Chicago, Arlington Heights: apartments, lease)

[BrewersFan]

We are relocating to Chicago. My spouse is in sales, so will be driving all over the city frequently. We are trying to determine what might make the best "home base" for us.

Having taken the commute to the bulk of his customers into consideration, we decided the best location is either the Northern suburbs, or the Western Suburbs.
We are currently considering St. Charles, Wheaton, Geneva, and Batavia on the west.
We are considering Wheeling, Gurnee, Buffalo Grove, Libertyville, Palatine, and Arlington Heights in the north. (open to suggestions too, anything sleepy and low crime. Areas with lots of trees, parks, and biking trails a huge plus)

Our budget is $1200, and we will be renting.
We are looking for a quiet and safe suburb. We are homebodies, so nightlife doesn't matter. Safety is our top priority. No children, so school districts are not an issue. I work from home, so my commute is a non-issue.

We both grew up in rural areas, and are very used to driving 20+ minutes for shopping.

Can you help us narrow it down?

[chet everett]

Wheaton is far and away the most central, you have excellent access to the majority of DuPage, Cook and Kane via expressways...

$1200 is not going to go far....

[holl1ngsworth]

Originally Posted by BrewersFan

We are relocating to Chicago. My spouse is in sales, so will be driving all over the city frequently. We are trying to determine what might make the best "home base" for us.

Having taken the commute to the bulk of his customers into consideration, we decided the best location is either the Northern suburbs, or the Western Suburbs.
We are currently considering St. Charles, Wheaton, Geneva, and Batavia on the west.
We are considering Wheeling, Gurnee, Buffalo Grove, Libertyville, Palatine, and Arlington Heights in the north. (open to suggestions too, anything sleepy and low crime. Areas with lots of trees, parks, and biking trails a huge plus)

Our budget is $1200, and we will be renting.
We are looking for a quiet and safe suburb. We are homebodies, so nightlife doesn't matter. Safety is our top priority. No children, so school districts are not an issue. I work from home, so my commute is a non-issue.

We both grew up in rural areas, and are very used to driving 20+ minutes for shopping.

Can you help us narrow it down?

What are your expectations for the $1200? One- to two-bedroom apartment? Two- to three-bedroom townhome?

More details would be helpful.

[ToriaT]

I would skip Wheeling. Wheaton is a beautiful place as is Glen Ellyn, the town next to it.

[cubssoxfan]

Wheeling is a be careful of some neighborhoods town, but to write the entire town off is short sighted.
Here is a beautiful complex: Northbrook Glenview Arlington Heights Luxury Apartments for Rent Lease | Woodland Creek Home
Here is another safe, Wheeling choice: Village Green at Arlington Club Apartments in Wheeling IL

[brian571]

I don't know much about the western suburbs, but I'd be surprised if you could get anything more than a 1BR apartment in Libertyville, Buffalo Grove, or Arlington Heights for $1200 per month. Gurnee, Palatine, and Wheeling will probably have 2BR apartment options, but you're still going to be limited.

[Buzz Bee]

I work in Batavia, it's a nice little area. St. Charles and Geneva are both a little more upscale, and thus a bit more expensive. I would take any of the three over Wheaton, just for proximity to the Fox River, where there is a very nice set of walking-biking trails, and all three are, for the most part, more walkable than Wheaton. You will likely get the most bang for your buck in Batavia. If you aren't looking for a cookie cutter complex, there are plenty of converted 2-3 flats in nice old houses which are very quaint.


As far as your northern burbs, as mentioned, Wheeling is pretty iffy, Arlington Hts is going to be fairly expensive, as will Buffalo Grove. Palatine has some nice areas down by the train station, but again, $1200 might not get you very far, and I don't know Gurnee well enough, other than that is where G/A is. But I would only really knock Wheeling and maybe Libertyville off of your list.


And, as mentioned, are you looking for an apartment in a complex with a pool and other amenities, or a townhouse or house or two flat with a yard?

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by Buzz Bee

I work in Batavia, it's a nice little area. St. Charles and Geneva are both a little more upscale, and thus a bit more expensive. I would take any of the three over Wheaton, just for proximity to the Fox River, where there is a very nice set of walking-biking trails, and all three are, for the most part, more walkable than Wheaton. You will likely get the most bang for your buck in Batavia. If you aren't looking for a cookie cutter complex, there are plenty of converted 2-3 flats in nice old houses which are very quaint.


As far as your northern burbs, as mentioned, Wheeling is pretty iffy, Arlington Hts is going to be fairly expensive, as will Buffalo Grove. Palatine has some nice areas down by the train station, but again, $1200 might not get you very far, and I don't know Gurnee well enough, other than that is where G/A is. But I would only really knock Wheeling and maybe Libertyville off of your list.


And, as mentioned, are you looking for an apartment in a complex with a pool and other amenities, or a townhouse or house or two flat with a yard?

...if you are salesperson with a territory that covers the whole of the region perhaps being closer to the major tollways would take a different priority than being close to the recreational offering of the Fox River...

[holl1ngsworth]

Originally Posted by Buzz Bee

I work in Batavia, it's a nice little area. St. Charles and Geneva are both a little more upscale, and thus a bit more expensive. I would take any of the three over Wheaton, just for proximity to the Fox River, where there is a very nice set of walking-biking trails, and all three are, for the most part, more walkable than Wheaton. You will likely get the most bang for your buck in Batavia. If you aren't looking for a cookie cutter complex, there are plenty of converted 2-3 flats in nice old houses which are very quaint.


As far as your northern burbs, as mentioned, Wheeling is pretty iffy, Arlington Hts is going to be fairly expensive, as will Buffalo Grove. Palatine has some nice areas down by the train station, but again, $1200 might not get you very far, and I don't know Gurnee well enough, other than that is where G/A is. But I would only really knock Wheeling and maybe Libertyville off of your list.

Have you been to Wheaton? Would not call the tri-cities any more walkable than Wheaton. Wheaton is connected to the same trails as the Fox Valley area:
http://www.ipp.org/pdf/IPP-free-map-color-updated.pdf

Wheaton is also more centrally located, with easy N/S and E/W access via 355 and 88, as well as two Metra stations.

OP could get a 1 or 2 bed apartment in Wheaton Center for $1200, depending on availability. Walkable to everything imaginable.

Wheaton Center Apartments | Wheaton, Illinois
Wheaton Center Apartments For Rent | ForRent.com

[Buzz Bee]

Originally Posted by chet everett

...if you are salesperson with a territory that covers the whole of the region perhaps being closer to the major tollways would take a different priority than being close to the recreational offering of the Fox River...

Sure. The areas on the river are a bit more charming, in my assessment, and offer a bit more on the life at home side of the equation, in my opinion. That is what the OP asked for, opinions on these areas. They asked for sleepy, leafy, low crime with access to trails and parks.

Originally Posted by holl1ngsworth

Have you been to Wheaton? Would not call the tri-cities any more walkable than Wheaton. Wheaton is connected to the same trails as the Fox Valley area:
http://www.ipp.org/pdf/IPP-free-map-color-updated.pdf

Wheaton is also more centrally located, with easy N/S and E/W access via 355 and 88, as well as two Metra stations.

OP could get a 1 or 2 bed apartment in Wheaton Center for $1200, depending on availability. Walkable to everything imaginable.

Wheaton Center Apartments | Wheaton, Illinois
Wheaton Center Apartments For Rent | ForRent.com

This is why I asked what the OP was looking for, if they want a compex, or single family or townhome, or 2-3 flat.

18 S Washington Ave # BA, Batavia, IL 60510 is For Rent - Zillow

Again, I personally think, of the areas listed, that Wheaton would be my personal last in line.