Relo from TN and have questions about the burbs (Chicago: house, buy)

[pamfieldsphoto]

Originally Posted by damba

Out of curiosity- What did you see on apartments.com?
I see homes for rent in northern suburbs
that would be halfway between waukegan and more
'City-like' locations such as Evanston.

I haven't looked on that site. I did look on zillow and just ran across remax that has tons of rentals from all the different management companies. Being that we've not been to the area yet, I'm just trying to figure out what is going to be a good location for hubby to go to work and for us to be able to have some fun and not feel like we are too far out from anything.

[damba]

Originally Posted by skyeyes70

I haven't looked on that site. I did look on zillow and just ran across remax that has tons of rentals from all the different management companies. Being that we've not been to the area yet, I'm just trying to figure out what is going to be a good location for hubby to go to work and for us to be able to have some fun and not feel like we are too far out from anything.

In that case, I suggest you come up for 4-5 days, take a lot of notes/photos
to get a sense if what areas you prefer.

Sometimes the initial locations might not make as much sense when you actually calculate
how you will be using your free time. A once a month music outing doesn't require you guys to
live in a modestly sized but higher priced city or Evanston rental, etc.

[damba]

Originally Posted by skyeyes70

Leftover Crack, Dayz and Daze, and All Torn Up!
Pretty good show!

I'm so glad my daughter isn't into the boy band or mostly any mainstream band for the most part. She likes the smaller indie bands and it's really cool when we get to see a band go from playing really small venues to playing Madison Square Garden! She has plans to work in the music industry in come form or fashion.

So that's the 'new' punk, eh? Just found his bands on youtube. Interesting

The mosh pit was definitely more dangerous in my day but the sound is essentially the same.
I saw Black Flag, Dead Kennedys, Circle Jerks, GBH, Misfits and the Butthole Surfers in their prime.
Need a little quieter sound now to say the least

[wjj]

I would suggest looking at Libertyville. Assuming the job location is at one of the big companies along Waukegan Road north of route 137, the commute would be easy. Very nice downtown with lots of restaurants and local businesses. Great schools (I know you say that does not matter now but schools are something that play a very big part in housing values in this area due to local funding of schools in Illinois). Though I am not sure of what is available for rent in Libertyville. Also Libertyville has a Metra station if you want to take the train downtown.

As for concerts, be sure to check out the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park. Ravinia is the summer home of the Chicago Symphony and has a lot concerts of many genres apart from the CSO. There are also a lot of big concerts in various Rosemont venues as well (next to O'Hare) - though not classical. There are a lot of options that do not require a trip downtown every time.

[pamfieldsphoto]

LOL! He listens to those bands now. Misfits were just at Riot Fest in Chicago and he wanted to go so bad!

[damba]

Originally Posted by skyeyes70

LOL! He listens to those bands now. Misfits were just at Riot Fest in Chicago and he wanted to go so bad!

I have been to Riot Fest twice. The first time, I 'misplaced' a shoe while I stumbled around in the mud. Really fun to see so many good bands in one sitting though.

They probably brought out the Misfits lead singer in a wheelchair- he must be getting up there in age(!)

[chet everett]

The OP has no chance of considering anything in Evanston is the desire is for a 20 minute commute to Waukegan.

With a work location 3 miles west of Waukegan's Metra station the choices are limited to Libertyville, Green Oaks, Rondout and maybe the most SE fringe of Gurnee.

[pamfieldsphoto]

Ok, back on topic... We are open to up to a 30 min. commute. Here are some of the areas where I'm seeing what looks to be some good rentals for us. Any + or - to these areas? We are planning a trip up to look around the area but we will only have 2 days to get a lay of the land. I realize that the rentals we see available now may not be available when we are actually ready to move which could be as early as the first part of Nov. but at least I can work to figure out where would be the best place to start looking.

Deerfield
Glencoe
Glenview
Highland Park
Lake Forest
Libertyville
Northbrook
Mundelein
Vernon Hills
Gurnee
Lake Bluff

[damba]

Originally Posted by chet everett

The OP has no chance of considering anything in Evanston is the desire is for a 20 minute commute to Waukegan.

With a work location 3 miles west of Waukegan's Metra station the choices are limited to Libertyville, Green Oaks, Rondout and maybe the most SE fringe of Gurnee.

Hardly. I know that area very well. If the OP's husband works near 94, it opens up the field a bit wider than that. They could live further south near Lake Forest/Vernon Hills, etc. too.

[damba]

Originally Posted by skyeyes70

Ok, back on topic... We are open to up to a 30 min. commute. Here are some of the areas where I'm seeing what looks to be some good rentals for us. Any + or - to these areas? We are planning a trip up to look around the area but we will only have 2 days to get a lay of the land. I realize that the rentals we see available now may not be available when we are actually ready to move which could be as early as the first part of Nov. but at least I can work to figure out where would be the best place to start looking.

Deerfield
Glencoe
Glenview
Highland Park
Lake Forest
Libertyville
Northbrook
Mundelein
Vernon Hills
Gurnee
Lake Bluff

2 days really doesn't cut it IMNSHO. Could you extend it to at least 3? You have little opportunity to see much in only 2 days.

Basically, you have created a list of some of the nicer northern suburbs. If relocating near some of the better public schools on that list isn't a requirement, you could throw in Gurnee and Mundelein. Just keep in mind that the further south you live, especially into northern cook county toward the lakefront, the longer it can take to get out to interstate 94 during rush hour (and even non-rush hour of late). [Is your husband's company large enough to offer a shuttle from the Metra stop?]

Down the road when you buy though, you will likely get sticker shock vs what you saw around Memphis, especially regarding property taxes.