Which suburb to choose???? (Chicago, Aurora: to rent, daycare, how much)

[Hinameher12345]

My family (husband,me and son)are moving to Chicago for a job.The job is in downtown Chicago but we want to live in a suburb because of the schools.
The factors we want to consider while choosing the suburb are:
i)the closest (less commute to downtown chicago considering, we will have no car initially) suburbs to downtown chicago.
ii)suburb having better school districts.it's another major concern.
iii)not too expensive living.
iv)safe neighbourhood and diversified people in the area.

Thanks in advance

[Fighting Fungus]

Originally Posted by Hinameher12345

My family (husband,me and son)are moving to Chicago for a job.The job is in downtown Chicago but we want to live in a suburb because of the schools.
The factors we want to consider while choosing the suburb are:
i)the closest (less commute to downtown chicago considering, we will have no car initially) suburbs to downtown chicago.
ii)suburb having better school districts.it's another major concern.
iii)not too expensive living.
iv)safe neighbourhood and diversified people in the area.

Thanks in advance

How much is your budget?

[knitgirl]

No car? I can't imagine living anywhere except Evanston or Oak Park without a car.

[damba]

Originally Posted by Hinameher12345

My family (husband,me and son)are moving to Chicago for a job.The job is in downtown Chicago but we want to live in a suburb because of the schools.
The factors we want to consider while choosing the suburb are:
i)the closest (less commute to downtown chicago considering, we will have no car initially) suburbs to downtown chicago.
ii)suburb having better school districts.it's another major concern.
iii)not too expensive living.
iv)safe neighbourhood and diversified people in the area.

Thanks in advance

Approximate housing budget? Rent or own?

[nikitakolata]

Originally Posted by knitgirl

No car? I can't imagine living anywhere except Evanston or Oak Park without a car.

I think it's doable in the downtown core of a lot of suburbs. I don't need my car living in downtown Elmhurst. I can easily walk to Jewel, the post office, Ace Hardware, restaurants, bars, etc. Now, if you have to shuttle a child to activities, a car might be a necessity. That's not part of the equation for me now; I take DD to daycare on my bike.

[amd555]

Originally Posted by Hinameher12345

My family (husband,me and son)are moving to Chicago for a job.The job is in downtown Chicago but we want to live in a suburb because of the schools.
The factors we want to consider while choosing the suburb are:
i)the closest (less commute to downtown chicago considering, we will have no car initially) suburbs to downtown chicago.
ii)suburb having better school districts.it's another major concern.
iii)not too expensive living.
iv)safe neighbourhood and diversified people in the area.

Thanks in advance

You can look at the NW Suburbs, such as Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect or SW burbs like Naperville, Aurora, Oak Park.

We need more info to help you narrow it down.

[Hinameher12345]

We will rent because we are not going to settle here permanently,but we do not want to compromise on education.
my son goes to 2nd grade.
And yes initially no car

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by amd555

You can look at the NW Suburbs, such as Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect or SW burbs like Naperville, Aurora, Oak Park.

We need more info to help you narrow it down.

As Oak Park lies along the UP-W line and the block of homes and businesses are substantially north of Roosevelt Rd I know of no one who would consider other than a WESTERN suburb.

Similarly, though portions of Naperville extend into the greater SW suburban area the core is along the BNSF which is generally thought to serve the WESTERN suburbs.

Aurora does not extend as far south as Naperville and really no portion is even convenient to the Stevenson which is usually considered a main expressway for true SW suburbs...

[CGab]

You're going to have a hard time in most suburbs without a vehicle! Downtown Naperville might be a consideration but even then you won't be close enough to a grocery store and it will be on the higher end to rent there. A+ rated schools and Metra to downtown. I suggest getting a car ASAP, even if its a cheap one. There are very little walkable suburbs that fit your criteria.

[Hinameher12345]

Thanks for all the feedback