Relocating from GA (Chicago, Wheaton, Downers Grove: renting, affordable house, buying)

[BlackhawksfaninGA]

I am relocating to Chicago area. I will be making a little over 125K. I am looking for safe, affordable areas. I have a rising 7th grader and a special needs 3rd grader.

[Sunbiz1]

That income level leaves many choices.
It would help narrow possibilities if we knew where job is located.

[BlackhawksfaninGA]

One of us in Bensenville and one of us in La Grange Park.

[betty912]

Glen ellyn & Wheaton are great options. Fantastic schools. Family oriented.

[BlackhawksfaninGA]

Are those areas affordable?

[ToriaT]

They are affordable for you. Other options abound. LaGrange itself is a really nice town. A bit far from Bensenville. Wheaton has one of the best special needs school districts. Elmhurst and Downers Grove are also nice. Bensenville is not really good so I would not consider it. You can find an affordable house in all of the areas mentioned. You will pay more probably than in GA.

[Taco1234]

Will you be buying a house or renting? The biggest difference will be property taxes. We're doing the reverse move and that's the biggest change. I'd say 125k isn't going to get you a ton in Lagrange, Elmhurst or Glen Ellyn. Depends on your comfort level, other debt, etc... Overall though you are going to pay more for both a house and property taxes will likely be 3-4 times higher.

[Sunbiz1]

Originally Posted by BlackhawksfaninGA

One of us in Bensenville and one of us in La Grange Park.

Try Elmhurst first, it's within your range and provides the least painful commute for both of you. If you can afford an upgrade, look into Hinsdale. Wheaton/Glen Ellyn are also good choices, but will add a good 30 min minimum to both commutes.
DuPage is rough during rush hour.

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by Sunbiz1

Try Elmhurst first, it's within your range and provides the least painful commute for both of you. If you can afford an upgrade, look into Hinsdale. Wheaton/Glen Ellyn are also good choices, but will add a good 30 min minimum to both commutes.
DuPage is rough during rush hour.

Elmhurst had a few "down years" as older folks dominated. Things picked considerably and there is a "wave" of newly interested buyers that see the benefits of the upgrades for schools / library / downtown -- well priced homes have been selling very quickly!

Given the commute and likely budget afforded by solid salary you have lots of nice options in Elmhurst, Western Springs, LaGrange, LaGrange Park, parts of Hinsdale and Downers Grove...

[CGab]

What's your budget for a home? Your salary doesn't tell us what you can afford with your bills etc. Based on what you want to spend on a home could really narrow down areas! Plus, you actually didn't say if you want to own or rent?