Thoughts on Orland Park? (Chicago, Naperville: condos, buying a house, neighborhoods)

[Chasesmom]

I'm looking for opinions on raising kids in Orland Park?? Is there a "hot" part of town that's more desirable than others?
My husband works in Burr Ridge. We live in Orland now as we recently moved here and our daughter goes to Prairie Elementary. We feel like this suburb may be a bit far removed, but are considered staying here so that my daughter won't have to switch schools/towns a 2nd time. Do you feel this Orland Park is a great place to raise a family? We are also considering Hinsdale vs. Orland Park and also Glen Ellyn vs. Orland Park ???
Thanks for any responses!

[Drover]

Since you already live there, it seems you're in a better position to answer your own question than the rest of us. Quite honestly, your living there now is the best possible method of finding out about the community and seeing if it fits your needs. I don't know that any of us can meaningfully add to that.

[Windy City John]

Be prepared to spend much more money in Hinsdale and probably a little more in Glen Ellyn for the same style house-- I would suggest spending some time in both communities--visit the Starbucks--that appears the modern day community center/nerve center of communities. Also visit the library and shops. Try to determine why you are thinking about moving--is it the neighborhood? the community? boredom?

You will find unless you commute to the city everyday for work --going to "the city" ends up being an orchestrated event for suburban folks-- a planned occasion, a celebration, a show, a game. Life becomes so consuming it is not like you will go every weekend to the city. Of course you can, but there are only so many hours in a day and so many activities you can manage.

I live in Glen Ellyn and it is a great community. It is close enough to the city so I can hop the 5pm train and catch dinner and catch the 11:30 train home whenever I want. On the other hand, I can walk to my fav Italian restaurant in 10 minutes and be home in pjs at 9:00pm. Whatever floats your boat!

[sbd78]

My sister-in-law lives in Orland Park and I used to live in Mokena which is just South of Orland Park. Personally, I think its a great place to raise a family but as someone else said, you may be the best judge since you live there now. Schools are great in Orland Park, Sandburg High School rates a 10 out of 10 on www.greatschools.net There are lots of shopping and dining options and the Metra train into the city. Also, as someone else said, you will get a bit more home for your money than the other burbs you are considering. Generally the West side is the newer part of town that is growing rapidly, but overall the whole town is very nice and doesn't have any bad parts. But its all about what you are looking for, if Orland Park doesn't fit the bill of your ideal town, look elsewhere.

[NYrules]

Sure its a great place to raise a family. The town though may be producing it's own little bubble type of atmosphere where diversity is at a minimum, but some people want to live in an all white community. Anywho, the hot spot in town is near the new downtown off 143rd and La Grange. Randys Market is due for demolition in '08 and the intersection (143rd and rte 45) is also due to meet the wrecking ball as well as the 7-11 in '08 as well to make way for Orland's new downtown. Also another hot spot is going to be where Andrew Corp was located. The office building is due to also come down sometime in the next couple of years to make way for more golf course, condos, and mc mansions.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by Chasesmom

I'm looking for opinions on raising kids in Orland Park?? We live in Orland now as we recently moved here and our daughter goes to Prairie Elementary. Do you feel this Orland Park is a great place to raise a family?

I don't know, you tell us, lol

[M TYPE X]

Glen Ellyn is more expensive, but you don't feel like you're 'on the prairie' like in Orland. Orland does have "everything" though - lots of commercial growth to rival Naperville soon enough.

[NYrules]

Originally Posted by M TYPE X

Glen Ellyn is more expensive, but you don't feel like you're 'on the prairie' like in Orland. Orland does have "everything" though - lots of commercial growth to rival Naperville soon enough.

On the prairie??? HUH? Have you been in Orland in the past 20 years? There's hardly a vacant parcel of land left in town unless you are west of Wolf Road.

[Chiguy1957]

...to me is the quintessential example of suburban sprawl. There's virtually no walkablity, spotty public transportation, and a car is an absolute necessity. Not exactly my cuppa, but to each their own.

OP's mega-growth spurt started in the late 70s with the building of Orland Square, but really exploded through the 80s and 90s, which also helped it become something of a white-flight community. White people were leaving the SW side Chicago neighborhoods of Gage Park, Marquette Park, and Ashburn in droves and skipped right past the traditional landing point of Oak Lawn and went out to Orland, Lemont, Frankfort, and Mokena.

That said, most of the homes out there are really quite nice. Orland has grown into an upper-middle 'burb, Sandburg has turned into a top-notch high school, and there is probably more retail, fast food, faux boutique mall restaurants, and car dealerships than anywhere in the entire SW region. It offers a nice setting for those looking for a lifestyle that is distinctly suburban.

I've got old ties to OP and remember it when it was nothing more than a wide spot in the road. Sandburg HS, Kirk's Drive-In, and a small, working-class bedroom community of modest ranch homes were the only things out there.

Then came Ishnala, which I think may have been the first upscale sub-division in that area. Then came Orland Square, which used to be visible for miles in every direction, and then all development hell broke loose and Orland became what it is today.

[Bostonredsock5]

If its any help I grew up in Orland, and aside from the holiday traffic, I loved it. I went to OJH then to Sandburg for school, and when i left the state for college i couldnt belive how far ahead it seemed our schools were than theres. I know the shopping is great prety much everything there, and your only a train ride away from going downtwon. One of the drawbacks I see is buying a house is really expensive. My parents are retiring out of state because they can get more for their money. I loved the neighborhood i grew up in, I lived off of 82nd ave by prairie. Good luck in what ever you choose