Moving to Far Northern Suburbs in Chicago, need advice (Waukegan: best towns, foreclosures)

[carlsjunior99]

Moving in the next few months, and could really use some advice. Let me try to give as much detail as possible:

I will be working in North Chicago. Looking for a detached house in a safe area within a 40 min commute. Must be in a good public school district (ie, widely recognized as "good" and would be attractive to future buyers, though doesn't have to be an ultra-elite district that only rich families can afford). Really need attached garage, basement, and prefer quality over size (will settle for smaller home rather than outdated). Our budget is $300-315.

My first glance at the area has me considering Lake County, but that's a pretty big area. Any suggested cities/towns/school districts? Or am I overlooking other parts of the metro area that would better fit my criteria?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

[Avengerfire]

North Chicago as in the town? This thread belongs in the suburb forum.

[Drover]

When you say North Chicago, do you mean the north side of the city, or the suburb called North Chicago?

If it's the latter, I'd look in Gurnee, Libertyville, maybe Grayslake. Basically, be wary of any lakeshore towns north of Lake Bluff.

[carlsjunior99]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

North Chicago as in the town? This thread belongs in the suburb forum.

Yes, the town, I believe (near Waukegan).

Thanks for advising me to post in the suburb forum, I didn't know there was one (obviously I'm new).

[carlsjunior99]

Originally Posted by Drover

Basically, be wary of any lakeshore towns north of Lake Bluff.

Due to expense?

[carlsjunior99]

Moving in the next few months, and could really use some advice. Let me try to give as much detail as possible:

I will be working in North Chicago. Looking for a detached house in a safe area within a 40 min commute. Must be in a good public school district (ie, widely recognized as "good" and would be attractive to future buyers, though doesn't have to be an ultra-elite district that only rich families can afford). Really need attached garage, basement, and prefer quality over size (will settle for smaller home rather than outdated). Our budget is $300-315.

My first glance at the area has me considering Lake County, but that's a pretty big area. Any suggested cities/towns/school districts? Or am I overlooking other parts of the metro area that would better fit my criteria?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

[Drover]

Originally Posted by carlsjunior99

Due to expense?

No, due to inadequate schools. From Lake Bluff south is where you needn't bother looking due to expense. That's seriously rich blue-blood territory (homes as expensive as 20 million bucks) from Lake Bluff all the way down to within a couple miles of the Chicago border.

[chet everett]

One of the easiest commutes /best towns well within 40 minutes of North Chicago is Libertyville, very nice mix of older and newer home, well regarded schools. Good recreational opportunities. Unfortunately you are going to have a heck of time finding something for $315k that is sparkling regardless of how small you can tolerate. Definately not in the "elite" range like Lake Forest...

Other close by towns are a quite a step down in quality, and affordability tends to really be a trade-off as larger homes of more recent age dominate...

Longer commute and not really a better value might make you consider some place like Lake Zurich or Buffalo Grove if you want to try to stick with better schools...

In all of suburban region the schools fall off in quality with every dip in average house prices, especially noticeable in Lake Co. I would avoid the more "boomish" areas as odds of prices being hit from foreclosures is pretty high...

[Avengerfire]

This thread can be merged with this one:

https://www.city-data.com/forum/chica...me-search.html

[carlsjunior99]

I was also noticing that taxes on some of the homes in Lake County, such as Lake Zurich, seemed really high (>2%, such as $7-$9k on a <$350k home). Is this the norm for the metro area? Is there anything not obvious that helps offset this (lower than normal income tax, etc.)?

It seems this might be an important budget consideration, since the T+I would be >30% of my PITI (monthly payment). Wow, didn't expect that. (Yes, we are "property virgins")