Suitable Chicago Suburb for Downtown Job (Schaumburg, Skokie: real estate, condo, how much)

[waqinator]

Hello,

I have recently accepted a job offer from a company in downtown Chicago. I am 29, am getting married in a few months, and probably won't have any kids for the next 2-3 years.

I am looking for a suitable suburb, with affordable houses (I am considering townhomes as a first step) with commute to downtown getting no more than 45 minutes.

I'd be very grateful if you could provide me tips on the following:

--- Are there any websites I could use to compare and verify commute options to downtown from a given address

-- What might be some good suburbs (possibly in the North/NorthWest) areas with 30-45 minutes (door to door) commute to downtown?


-- What are some helpful research sites for Chicago suburbs?

Thanks in advance for anyone who can help me out.

[outsider1]

metrarail.com has everything you want to know about commuting by Metra trains. I don't know what an "affordable townhome" means for you, but in your situation you can check out northwest suburban Wheeling. It has a fair share of newer and older townhomes in subdivisions such as River Mill, Tahoe Village, Lakeside Villas, Astor Place, Harmony Village. Also there are Mount Prospect, Des Plaines, maybe Schaumburg too.

[outsider1]

If you want to drive check out Skokie and maybe Niles.

[Steve-o]

Take the train, itll save you from the horrid daily commute. Towns along the Metra that Id recommend would be Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Geneva, Warrenville/Winfield. Dont know how much you can spend for a house/townhouse, that info would be helpful. The areas I mentioned are a bit pricey, but you can always find cheaper areas that are just as nice.

[waqinator]

Thanks all for the useful response. I am going to add more info to my request:

It will be my first home purchase, so at this time I am looking at 250k - 300k. I don't even know enough (about Chicago suburbs) to know where that places me in Chicago. I am hoping (with emphasis) to find a townhouse within this range, that is on the newer side (post 1995), with only 30-45 minutes commute to downtown.

If anyone can advise me on whether my expectations are justified within this range for north/north-western suburbs, I'd really appreciate it.

[waqinator]

Another question I have, (and I know i should read up more on real-estates resources for this) is when I am browsing online for real estate listings, what real price should I derive from their list price, i.e., if some place is listed at 325,000, can I assume that it may go for around 300k ? And if I sound stupid, please remember that I ama first time buyer

[cw68]

If you would consider a more "urban" suburb, Oak Park fits the bill. There would be condo/townhome options in your range, you could take the train or the "el" to work and be there w/in a half hour and it's a great place for a childless couple to live. There's lots going on and you have the whole City at your doorstep.

[outsider1]

If you want something newer in that price range in the n/nw suburbs along the Metra lines, it would probably be in Wheeling or Schaumburg. Though in Schaumburg you'd probably have to settle for something smaller. It's 40-45min to downtown from those stations. Wheeling's River Mill and Astor Place fit the bill quite well - spacious, 1999 or newer townhomes, close to the station, likely to be a good investment as the area is progressing.

In the nw suburbs when the list price is 325K you would come out a winner if you can drive it down to 315K. Unless it was grossly overpriced and in bad shape it's unlikely to go for 300K.

[tgoddess]

If you're not adverse to being west, rather than north, you can't do much better than Berwyn for being an easy commute. Blue/Pink line easily accessible, plus the Metra (BNSF). Great, affordable housing stock (we're talking gorgeous brick bungalows in your price range)...all in all, a terrific, diverse community. I've lived here for 11 years and plan on staying.

[waqinator]

Thank you very much for the useful info. I am going to checkout your suggestions.