Forest Park? (Chicago, Oak Lawn, Berwyn: for sale, homes, schools)

[Chiburbs07]

My fiance and I are looking for a home in a suburb close to the city. We've looked at some nice properties in Oak Park (great area!), but we feel the taxes in Oak Park are just too high. Forest Park has been recommended to us as an "up and coming" area so we're wanting to find out more about it. What can you tell us about that area? Are their pockets of Forest Park that are better or worse than others? Any input is greatly appreciated!

[mdz]

It's a fine place to live, close to public transportation (the blue line el) and the Eisenhower. Lots of very good restaurants, good bar scene on madison avenue. Diverse population, I'm not sure I'd say there was a particularly bad area at all. Certainly check out any place you're looking at. Taxes are indeed lower but the school system isn't the greatest so if you have kids it may be worthwhile to look elsewhere. So I think it's best for singles or couples without kids.

[oakparkdude]

You might want to check out this local talk site

(http://www.forestparkforums.com)

Lots of posts about the schools, crime, city government, etc.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by Chiburbs07

My fiance and I are looking for a home in a suburb close to the city. We've looked at some nice properties in Oak Park (great area!), but we feel the taxes in Oak Park are just too high. Forest Park has been recommended to us as an "up and coming" area so we're wanting to find out more about it. What can you tell us about that area? Are their pockets of Forest Park that are better or worse than others? Any input is greatly appreciated!

Another shout out for Berwyn here. People tend to forget this town when looking in this area but you should definitely check it out too. It costs less than Forest Park, but has better housing stock, is also "up and coming" and has better schools. Taxes should be on par with or lower than FP. I'm a former Oak Parker who moved into Berwyn and I love it.

[Chiburbs07]

Thanks. I've heard from others as well that the schools aren't great. We'd likely move later when we're ready for kids (in 4-5 years). When we researched Oak Park, we were advised to focus on places at least 3-4 blocks West of Austin so I was wondering if there are any guidelines like that in Forest Park. I've been assuming it's ideal to be closer to the downtown area on Madison?

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by Chiburbs07

When we researched Oak Park, we were advised to focus on places at least 3-4 blocks West of Austin so I was wondering if there are any guidelines like that in Forest Park.

No, but informally, you'd probably want to live north of I-290 in FP. The area around Madison is the best for obvious reasons -- restaurants, bars and the Blue Line. Of course, you'll pay for those amenities. The area immediately around Roosevelt Road and south of Roosevelt isn't as nice. I wouldn't say dangerous, but a bit more run down. Plus you start getting far from the train as you go further and further south.

[tgoddess]

Another shout out for Berwyn here. People tend to forget this town when looking in this area but you should definitely check it out too. It costs less than Forest Park, but has better housing stock, is also "up and coming" and has better schools. Taxes should be on par with or lower than FP. I'm a former Oak Parker who moved into Berwyn and I love it.

Just want to second Bru67's post above! He's absolutely correct. As someone who has lived SEVERAL places (Bridgeport, Oak Lawn, Glendale Heights...even Washington, DC), Berwyn is one of the BEST places I've lived.

[roxymoxy]

Originally Posted by BRU67

No, but informally, you'd probably want to live north of I-290 in FP. The area around Madison is the best for obvious reasons -- restaurants, bars and the Blue Line. Of course, you'll pay for those amenities. The area immediately around Roosevelt Road and south of Roosevelt isn't as nice. I wouldn't say dangerous, but a bit more run down. Plus you start getting far from the train as you go further and further south.

For someone who lives in Berwyn (which is all south of I-290 and predominantly spanish speaking), I take offense at your conclusions about south Forest Park. Run down? For an example, one of the nicest sections in this village is south of Roosevelt, with many many brick bungalows.

Please do not try to redline Forest Park as was done in the city of Chicago back in the 60's. Forest Park has a diverse population spread throughout the village. There is much more density on the north side of the village and many more single family homes south of the Ike.

[BRU67]

I never said the housing stock wasn’t good in South FP. It does indeed have many beautiful brick bungalows. I was mainly comparing the Roosevelt Road business district and the area around it to the Madison St. business district. My general observation is that the former, at this point, isn’t as far along as the Madison St. area. I’m certainly not saying to avoid South FP or trying to “redline” anything. I apologize if you took it that way.

And I suspect this will soon change. Oak Park, Berwyn, Forest Park are focused on the Roosevelt corridor. We're already starting to see good things going on there. I understand that the old medical supply building on Harlem and Roosevelt (in FP) is for sale or has been sold. Hopefully, we'll see something good go in there.

[roxymoxy]

Just don't want people to think so. Forest Park is not favorable. Yes, it is farther from the blue line but have noticed many, many people in this village drive to work anyways.

Let's hope for something positive at the old Aamed place. It has never been a pretty building; useful for the people who needed their services; but not pretty.