Gay friendliness of near west suburbs (Chicago, Evanston: homes, high school, taxes)

[vtb]

We are a lesbian couple (with a little one on the way) and we are looking to move out of Chicago and into the 'burbs.

We don't need to be surrounded by other gay people, but definitely don't want to move to a place where our neighbors feel the need to make our lives miserable or try to "save us" on a regular basis. It would also be a nice bonus if our kid wasn't the only one in school with two mommies.

Location-wise, we prefer the western suburbs. Obviously, Oak Park is super-gay friendly, but what about the other nearby suburbs? In particular, we drove around La Grange and La Grange Park and they seemed right up our alley. Does anyone know any gay folk in La Grange (proper or Park) or have any thoughts about general tolerance for "different-ness" in those areas?

Thanks in advance.

[kindrakindra]

I think tolerance would be fine in LaGrange. I would say that people are educated and accepting. It just may be that your child is unique in class. In Oak Park, there are obviously a ton of families like yours.

[cmoscinski]

Oak Park is my first choice, Forest Park is second (but homes and taxes are high) South Berwyn (affordale homes), LaGrange (homes are higher priced, high taxes too) & Westchester (affordable homes & taxes) are my choices.

Young, professional, hip and educated.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by vtb

We are a lesbian couple (with a little one on the way) and we are looking to move out of Chicago and into the 'burbs.

We don't need to be surrounded by other gay people, but definitely don't want to move to a place where our neighbors feel the need to make our lives miserable or try to "save us" on a regular basis. It would also be a nice bonus if our kid wasn't the only one in school with two mommies.

Location-wise, we prefer the western suburbs. Obviously, Oak Park is super-gay friendly, but what about the other nearby suburbs? In particular, we drove around La Grange and La Grange Park and they seemed right up our alley. Does anyone know any gay folk in La Grange (proper or Park) or have any thoughts about general tolerance for "different-ness" in those areas?

Thanks in advance.

Berwyn has a large gay and lesbian population, and they have their own organization, BUNGALO. I'm sure they'd be happy to answer any questions you may have, about Berwyn specifically or the gay friendliness of the area in general.

www.bungalo.org

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by cmoscinski

Oak Park is my first choice, Forest Park is second (but homes and taxes are high) South Berwyn (affordale homes), LaGrange (homes are higher priced, high taxes too) & Westchester (affordable homes & taxes) are my choices.

Young, professional, hip and educated.

Are there really young, professional, hip, educated couples moving to Westchester? I'm not criticizing, just wondering if this is happening. As mentioned in other threads, Proviso East/West are major barriers for families moving to Forest Park or Westchester. OPRF and LTHS are key reasons that La Grange and Oak Park are more expensive...

[Chummy Waters]

Truthfully, there's absolutely no way to tell unless you ask. In the general population anywhere there is tolerance, intolerance, whatever. Bad neighbors are bad neighbors, trust me I know. There are good neighbors too. You never find out until you move in, unless you did interviews with them first I suppose.

Ultimately, you reap what you sow, so just be nice, be yourself, and don't let jerks change that.
Good luck.

[lynnieb1]

Originally Posted by vtb

We are a lesbian couple (with a little one on the way) and we are looking to move out of Chicago and into the 'burbs.

We don't need to be surrounded by other gay people, but definitely don't want to move to a place where our neighbors feel the need to make our lives miserable or try to "save us" on a regular basis. It would also be a nice bonus if our kid wasn't the only one in school with two mommies.

Location-wise, we prefer the western suburbs. Obviously, Oak Park is super-gay friendly, but what about the other nearby suburbs? In particular, we drove around La Grange and La Grange Park and they seemed right up our alley. Does anyone know any gay folk in La Grange (proper or Park) or have any thoughts about general tolerance for "different-ness" in those areas?

Thanks in advance.

If you would consider a more eastern suburb, I would highly recommend Evanston.

[lifelongchicagoland]

I would say that Forest Park is the most gay friendly burb outside of Oak Park in the near-west. It's more of a live and let live attitude here, regarding everything from race to sexuality. My partner and I love it and have no regrets. No gay bashing incidents and even a gay bar in town. Just send the kids to Fenwick when they hit high school age and everything will be fine

[marion10]

Don't you think the children of gay parents might have trouble at a Catholic high school?

[Chummy Waters]

Originally Posted by marion10

Don't you think the children of gay parents might have trouble at a Catholic high school?

Nah, they'd probably just have to bump up their offerings a bit.