Potentially relocation from NJ and need advice - Chicago Suburbs - Illinois (IL) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

dre150 · 01-23-2019, 02:29 PM

Downers Grove has express trains to the city, and is totally in your budget with good schools. I grew up there. I live in La Grange now, but it’s more expensive. 650k would get you a low-end 4 bedroom within walking distance to the train with taxes in the 15k range. But the community is awesome. Very interconnected and everyone has kids. Schools are top notch.

Naperville is fine but by train now you’re looking at a 45+ minute commute instead of 20 for La Grange or maybe 25-30 for Downers Grove

fusillirob1983 · 01-23-2019, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dre150

Downers Grove has express trains to the city, and is totally in your budget with good schools. I grew up there. I live in La Grange now, but it’s more expensive. 650k would get you a low-end 4 bedroom within walking distance to the train with taxes in the 15k range. But the community is awesome. Very interconnected and everyone has kids. Schools are top notch.

Naperville is fine but by train now you’re looking at a 45+ minute commute instead of 20 for La Grange or maybe 25-30 for Downers Grove

Naperville express trains inbound range from 34-38 minutes. Outbound express trains are 35-40 minutes. It does take longer than the other two suburbs, but the real numbers are just as easy to find as for the other two suburbs.

LaGrange inbound is 22-23 minutes express. Outbound is 24-28 minutes express.

holl1ngsworth · 01-24-2019, 05:50 AM

Wheaton has one of the best community pools around (Rice Waterpark, Aquatic Facilities | Wheaton Park District) and consistently ranks as one of the best suburbs in the country: The Best Places to Live in America | Money Magazine. Glen Ellyn and Naperville are great options as well.

MarketMaker · 02-03-2019, 11:37 AM

I suggest a two-pronged attack: (1) your commute and (2) schools.

The BNSF train line - the one that runs through Downers Grove & Naperville - has 3 tracks. This allows for true express trains. Most rail lines in the area have only 2 tracks and the trains are slower as a result. Check your potential commute at the METRA website. Pay attention to which station the train line runs to as well. Oglive & Union stations are close to each other, but they are not the only stations downtown.

The Chicago Tribune's website has high schools ranked by SAT score. This will give you an idea of where the better schools are located. Naperville, has 3 in the top 20 (including magnet schools). Most, if not all, of the locations that rank higher (e.g., Hinsdale Central, New Trier, Stevenson) might be out of your price range.

Naperville is a 'sweet spot'. It's not the only good choice, but it's hard to beat at your budget point.

RJA29 · 02-04-2019, 08:23 AM

At $650K, you'd be hard pressed to do much better than Downers Grove if you want good schools, walking distance to the train, a short commute, and lower property taxes. You'll find a home that is ready to go at this price.

damba · 02-04-2019, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJA29

At $650K, you'd be hard pressed to do much better than Downers Grove if you want good schools, walking distance to the train, a short commute, and lower property taxes. You'll find a home that is ready to go at this price.

Exactly. Great example here-

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1.../4565386_zpid/

chet everett · 02-04-2019, 11:40 AM

Taxes are lower in Hinsdale and schools are likely a better bet, though the price point of $650k is currently non-existent if you look a bit higher you might be happy with this charming and mostly well updated home -- https://www.redfin.com/IL/Hinsdale/1.../home/18033995

RJA29 · 02-04-2019, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chet everett

Taxes are lower in Hinsdale and schools are likely a better bet, though the price point of $650k is currently non-existent if you look a bit higher you might be happy with this charming and mostly well updated home -- https://www.redfin.com/IL/Hinsdale/1.../home/18033995

Chet is correct on all accounts here - Hinsdale is nice. But, if you want a home at $650 that doesn't need your own work, it's going to be tough.

I do like the house linked on Franklin - and I think this one that is listed at $695K could be had for closer to $650 (or less). I've seen it, and it needs a bit of updating on one bathroom and the mudroom, but otherwise it is in really good shape: https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sal...49_rect/14_zm/

fusillirob1983 · 02-04-2019, 12:39 PM

chet everett · 02-04-2019, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fusillirob1983

I agree trade-offs / weighing out the pluses are the right way to evaluate the choices. It is somewhat jarring to see how wide a range of property tax bills go along with homes of similar asking price. I'd argue that most of the schools serving these nice areas are very similar and you likely could make an argument that in terms of property taxes choosing a home with a smaller current tax bill is actually going to mean access to schools with overall better financial ability to weather the uncertainty of future Illinois shifts in school funding.