La Grange vs Hinsdale? (Chicago, Downers Grove: apartments, rental, refinance)

[chet everett]

With a budget of over $1.2 million there are lots of factors that the OP should consider.
Of course one of the "cardinal rules" of real estate I'd recommend sticking to is " most affordable home in most desirable block" and that might give a boost to the SE portions of Hinsdale...

[holl1ngsworth]

Originally Posted by chet everett

With a budget of over $1.2 million there are lots of factors that the OP should consider.
Of course one of the "cardinal rules" of real estate I'd recommend sticking to is " most affordable home in most desirable block" and that might give a boost to the SE portions of Hinsdale...

OP's budget is up to $1.2mil. But I won't disagree with your rules.

[holl1ngsworth]

Originally Posted by nikitakolata

This reminds me of this house that my husband and I toured before we bought our current house (it just recently sold, a year later):

35 Short St, Clarendon Hills, IL 60514 - Zillow

I remember this house too. It was on the market for a looooong time.... 6 years!

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by chet everett

With a budget of over $1.2 million there are lots of factors that the OP should consider.
Of course one of the "cardinal rules" of real estate I'd recommend sticking to is " most affordable home in most desirable block" and that might give a boost to the SE portions of Hinsdale...

I agree with that, unless the home is only affordable because of some major issue that can't be fixed.

High-priced real estate in a place like Hinsdale seems to operate in a tidy, logical marketplace, since there will always be high-budget shoppers looking at Hinsdale. But if you drive around Chicagoland you'll see million-dollar homes in just about every decent suburb. There's always someone who wants to be "king of the hill" in his particular neck of the woods with the largest house around, and I can certainly understand the psychological appeal. But at the end of the day it probably makes more financial sense to be on the low end, or even in the middle of the pack for a particular neighborhood.

[doodlemagic]

La Grange will give you more bang for your buck and personally if it were me I would actually prefer lagrange. I think if you're looking for even cheaper housing stock while still being a decent area Brookfield wouldn't be a bad choice if you pick the right area.

[JJski]

even at 1M you are not "king of the hill" in DTLG in the most desirable (prime/historic core) locations.... you are in the top 25% IMO...

[nikitakolata]

Originally Posted by holl1ngsworth

I remember this house too. It was on the market for a looooong time.... 6 years!

I know, crazy, right? Did you happen to tour it? I did... and, man, it was a mess. I saw it in December 2012 and there was so much unfinished. Obviously they realized at some point it wasn't going to be worth even close to what they were asking, but still, you have to finish things if you want a buyer to desire the house! The yard was very disappointing, too, since there basically was no back yard to speak of. I'm the type of person who could maybe overlook the fact that the house backed to Rt. 83, but there was just nothing there to work with.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by JJski

even at 1M you are not "king of the hill" in DTLG in the most desirable (prime/historic core) locations.... you are in the top 25% IMO...

Comment was more for the desperate soul who builds a $1m McMansion in Roselle.

http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...71-43518?row=2

[whakru]

Originally Posted by TexanUpNorth

We will be moving our family from Austin after the school year and I am trying to get an understanding of the Western suburbs. I know Hinsdale is widely considered the most affluent of the Western suburbs and the most expensive. It does seem like a lovely village so perhaps it's worth the extra cost.

But wondering how other areas like La Grange compare. Or even Downers Grove and Western Springs. For a family of four with a budget of about $1M to $1.2M do you think you get the most bang for your buck in Hinsdale (schools, events, recreation, downtown) or in the surrounding villages? FYI - Naperville is out for us but would consider other Western villages.

Thanks for your help. This forum is great!

One place that you might want to consider is the part of Burr Ridge that is between 55th and Plainfield and east of County Line Rd. That area goes to Hinsdale schools, has large lots and large homes with a more open feel to it. You get the benefits of the Hinsdale school system and are close to Hinsdale, and Western Springs and LaGrange are a quick drive down 55th st.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by whakru

One place that you might want to consider is the part of Burr Ridge that is between 55th and Plainfield and east of County Line Rd. That area goes to Hinsdale schools, has large lots and large homes with a more open feel to it. You get the benefits of the Hinsdale school system and are close to Hinsdale, and Western Springs and LaGrange are a quick drive down 55th st.

Yeah, I guess it depends on the type of house/neighborhood the OP is interested in. If they want a big post-war house on big lot and/or Cul-de-sac, that is available in the area too.