Investigating Villa Park, Lombard and Glen Ellyn (Wheaton, Elmhurst: theater, school)

[holl1ngsworth]

The majority of Burr Ridge lies south of I-55, my arbitrary West/Southwest line. Bloomingdale hugs the Lake Street/290 line, my arbitrary West/Northwest line.

I never disagreed whether Carol Stream should be a Western suburb, only whether it should be included in the "maybe" pile.

[Zoodle]

Thanks for all this info. We did see a new house for $530k in Countryside, but will not pursue it given this info.

We saw some nice houses in Westchester for the high 300's, but it was concerning that there were 5 for sale in the same neighborhood and they had been on the market for some time.

As Metra service is Key, my realtor sent me listings for Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Des Plaines and Downers Grove.
I had a hard time finding anything in Arlington Heights, but some of the others have some prospects.

La Grange is out of my price range as is Hinsdale and Oak Park and Willemete.
I am hoping to find something in Glen Ellyn perhaps. I did see a few promising listings.

I looked up the train times for an off peak commute in the PM as hubby often has to work late, and am trying to keep that under 45 minutes, which counts out Wheaton.

Des Plaines is not on your list - what are your thoughts on that? I would want to stay northern away from the airport.

[holl1ngsworth]

Originally Posted by Zoodle

Thanks for all this info. We did see a new house for $530k in Countryside, but will not pursue it given this info.

We saw some nice houses in Westchester for the high 300's, but it was concerning that there were 5 for sale in the same neighborhood and they had been on the market for some time.

As Metra service is Key, my realtor sent me listings for Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Des Plaines and Downers Grove.
I had a hard time finding anything in Arlington Heights, but some of the others have some prospects.

La Grange is out of my price range as is Hinsdale and Oak Park and Willemete.
I am hoping to find something in Glen Ellyn perhaps. I did see a few promising listings.

I looked up the train times for an off peak commute in the PM as hubby often has to work late, and am trying to keep that under 45 minutes, which counts out Wheaton.

Des Plaines is not on your list - what are your thoughts on that? I would want to stay northern away from the airport.

That looks like a good list, with the exception of Des Plaines and Lombard. I'd recommend looking at factors outside of "the house." Entertainment, dining, shopping, parks, museums, forest preserves, bike paths, and other activities you'd like to enjoy on a regular basis. The closer to home, the better. And if you think Glen Ellyn is OK, you may as well put Wheaton in the mix. Non-express trains are only 3 minutes longer. But, understandably, you gotta draw the line somewhere.

Have you seen any of these towns in person yet?

[Zoodle]

For my first trip I had explored La Grange areas, Oak Park, Evanston, Willemette and even Chicago Neighborhoods.

Now I need to look at other areas as we could not afford what we wanted in any of those areas. I am trying to get my husband to block out some time to thoughrly explore the areas in addition to just looking at houses.

We really enjoy being able to bike, walk and run in green areas nearby and enjoy good restaurants and having a variety of workout studios around for winter exercise.
What areas would be especially good for those interests; while at the same time being close to the Metra?

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Zoodle

As Metra service is Key, my realtor sent me listings for Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Des Plaines and Downers Grove.
I had a hard time finding anything in Arlington Heights, but some of the others have some prospects.

Mt. Prospect is an excellent value with top-notch schools. Many of the houses are small and it doesn't have the same charm as some of the other suburbs you are considering, but it's very close to Arlington Heights and has great access to amenities.

[streptococcus]

Originally Posted by Zoodle

For my first trip I had explored La Grange areas, Oak Park, Evanston, Willemette and even Chicago Neighborhoods.

Now I need to look at other areas as we could not afford what we wanted in any of those areas. I am trying to get my husband to block out some time to thoughrly explore the areas in addition to just looking at houses.

We really enjoy being able to bike, walk and run in green areas nearby and enjoy good restaurants and having a variety of workout studios around for winter exercise.
What areas would be especially good for those interests; while at the same time being close to the Metra?

Hi - I live in Lombard near the train station and Prairie Path and run 3 -4 times a week (although not today - ha ha). For a rather urban area, I think it's an unsung gem if you like running/biking as you can create various loops using the Path and the Great Western Trail. They meet up east in Villa Park, and both give you two ways to cross 355 without issue if you're heading west and want to go Glen Ellyn/Wheaton by bike/foot. Also they just redid the Lombard train station and it looks really nice. I don't commute to Chicago, but a lot of neighbors do and say it's easy. Don't get me wrong, downtown Lombard doesn't hold a candle to Glen Ellyn or Elmhurst, but they did just get a new pub and we've been happy with the schools so far (don't have any experience with the high school yet)

[Zoodle]

Thanks for that info on Lombard, Streptococcus.

Is it a quick trip to get into Glen Ellyn or Elmhurst for Restaurants and shopping?

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by Zoodle

Thanks for that info on Lombard, Streptococcus.

Is it a quick trip to get into Glen Ellyn or Elmhurst for Restaurants and shopping?

Lombard is home to a fairly well-developed regional mall, Yorktown. It has a number of national chain restaurants and some business oriented local spots too.

There is a major tollway, I-355, that separates Lombard from Glen Ellyn. The roadway mostly follows a glacial saddle that further separates the towns. There are arterials that link Glen Ellyn to Lombard, but the towns don't just melt into each other the way Western Springs and LaGrange do...

Going from Lombard to Elmhurst would require driving through Villa Park, and that also means some major roadways with traffic signals and such. Again, not a giant hassle, but also kind of 'breaks the mood' for a quick weeknight jaunt when compared to being "in-town".

Lombard does work to encourage local dining options in its core, and there are some spots that do get a following, it is just a notch down in affluence and that means spots that are less gastronomically adventurous, more beer & hard liquor than fine wine, and fewer options...

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Zoodle

Thanks for that info on Lombard, Streptococcus.

Is it a quick trip to get into Glen Ellyn or Elmhurst for Restaurants and shopping?

Five minutes tops. VERY quick.

We live in Glen Ellyn and routinely use amenities in Lombard and Wheaton. It's very easy to get around out here.

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Five minutes tops. VERY quick.

We live in Glen Ellyn and routinely use amenities in Lombard and Wheaton. It's very easy to get around out here.

There are some parts of Glen Ellyn that are more convenient to parts of Lombard, but there is absolutely a GIANT multi-lane tollway that limits access across it to a handful of arterials. There is no way that anyone can violate the laws of physics and get anywhere at rush hour in "5 minutes tops".

The relative hassle of relying on arterials like Roosevelt or St. Charles is a major drawback to developers in Lombard...