What part of the suburbs would you rather live in? (Naperville: income, living)

[holl1ngsworth]

I always counted northwest Indiana as part of the south suburbs... am I alone?

[midwest1]

Well NW Indiana doesn't see themselves that way. Technically they are really the Southeast suburbs if anything.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by holl1ngsworth

I always counted northwest Indiana as part of the south suburbs... am I alone?

Originally Posted by midwest1

Well NW Indiana doesn't see themselves that way. Technically they are really the Southeast suburbs if anything.

I've never heard anyone include NWI as part of the south suburbs.

[holl1ngsworth]

So.... the North Shore is the Northwest Shore? Because water is the only thing due north of the city.

[midwest1]

Originally Posted by holl1ngsworth

So.... the North Shore is the Northwest Shore? Because water is the only thing due north of the city.

sure....as long as everyone knows that Chicagoland's FINEST and GREATEST beaches are in Indiana.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by holl1ngsworth

So.... the North Shore is the Northwest Shore? Because water is the only thing due north of the city.

No, it's the north shore, I've definitely never heard anyone refer to it as anything else. Have you looked at a map of the area?

[aga412]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Thats just an opinion. I find the wooded, rolling hills and river valleys of the far western burbs to be more beautiful, but thats just my opinion. Then you add in the charming towns that dot the area (ie Geneva, St. Charles, etc) and it just adds to the overall flavor of the Fox River Valley. I love it there.

And Batavia!

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

North Shore are the only suburbs I would consider.

Any particular reason, why not the near west burbs? Oak Park and Forest Park have an urban walkability and density and easy access to the city that appeal to city lovers prefer. And like Lookout Kid mentioned, even La Grange is about the same distance from the loop as Evanston.

Is it because of having better access to the more appealing and vibrant north side as opposed to the war zone west side?

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

I do like the North Shore, but the feel the commutes get long once you get north of Wilmette or Kennilworth, largely because of the greater distances through the north side of the city. Evanston is actually the same distance from the Loop as La Grange. And it's really hard to get to most suburban employment centers from the North Shore, outside of the large concentration of jobs in Lake County.

If I had an unlimited budget and knew that I would only work downtown for the rest of my career, then I'd probably pick northern Evanston or Wilmette. Kennilworth seems like it might be so wealthy that it may be a little twisted.... But I do actually know a couple of people who grew up there, and they are nice people. So I'd certainly think about living there too.

But now that I've lived out west for a while, I really do like our access to just about everything. The amenities available to people in this area are actually pretty amazing for a suburban area, and unparalleled in most of the country. And I actually like living near suburbs that are more diverse and the lower cost of living in this direction. Things like preschool, swimming lessons, food, etc. are all less expensive in the Western Suburbs, particularly once you get some distance from the city.

But the houses still look like the gracious historic north shore colonials/georgians, etc. that are still less ostentatious than new money Barrington or Oak Brook.

I think Kenilworth has a higher $$ statistics maybe because those other NS suburbs have at least a couple streets that have more modest middle class homes that bring down the $ stats?

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by aga412

And Batavia!

Unfortunately Batavia let itself go for awhile, and it got kind of undesireable. Its on the upswing, though! Lots of good renovations taking place downtown.