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Old 12-11-2009, 06:14 PM
 
59 posts, read 271,381 times
Reputation: 27

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Hello,

We currently live in Seattle and are considering a move to Chicago. My husband is interviewing for a job that would be primarily based in the Gold Coast area and I'm starting to scope out the suburbs so that he can check out neighborhoods after his interview. Also, the information will be helpful in negotiating his salary, as we'll know how much we'll need for housing costs.

The most important things to me are safety and limiting his commute as much as possible (I'd love for him to have a 20 minute commute - or less! - by rail or car). Other than that, we just want to live in a nice, friendly neighborhood in a nice, friendly community. We don't care about prestigious zip codes or school test scores. And probably couldn't afford those anyway. We just want our kids (our oldest is three) to attend a safe little school with happy kids and happy parents. We'd love to find a community that doesn't feel like a freeway exit or part of the city, with lots of family-oriented community events and resources.

Based on the salary range we've been given we would be in the mid $300-low $400,000 range. Of course, I'd like to be at the bottom of the range, but the top of the range would be fine, if necessary.

Based on these parameters, what towns within commuting distance do you think of as friendly and safe?

Thanks!!
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Old 12-11-2009, 06:45 PM
 
Location: Chicago
15,586 posts, read 27,746,157 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kittyhox View Post
My husband is interviewing for a job that would be primarily based in the Gold Coast area...

The most important things to me are safety and limiting his commute as much as possible (I'd love for him to have a 20 minute commute - or less! - by rail or car)...
20 minutes ain't gonna happen if you live in the suburbs.
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Old 12-11-2009, 06:57 PM
 
59 posts, read 271,381 times
Reputation: 27
Oh, darn. The suburbs look so close on the map. Twenty minutes from the Gold Coast area is still in-town, then?

Thanks for your reply!
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Old 12-11-2009, 07:01 PM
 
59 posts, read 271,381 times
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Okay, I just did a mapquest and discovered that the town I was looking at is a 51 minute drive to the Gold Coast zip code.

Dang.

I don't know where could live then. I would hate for him to spend more than 1.5 hours a day commuting.
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Old 12-11-2009, 09:29 PM
 
Location: Suburbs of Chicago
1,070 posts, read 2,930,026 times
Reputation: 265
Forest Park?
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Old 12-11-2009, 09:39 PM
 
5,993 posts, read 13,198,131 times
Reputation: 4969
Quote:
Originally Posted by kittyhox View Post
Hello,

We currently live in Seattle and are considering a move to Chicago. My husband is interviewing for a job that would be primarily based in the Gold Coast area and I'm starting to scope out the suburbs so that he can check out neighborhoods after his interview. Also, the information will be helpful in negotiating his salary, as we'll know how much we'll need for housing costs.

The most important things to me are safety and limiting his commute as much as possible (I'd love for him to have a 20 minute commute - or less! - by rail or car). Other than that, we just want to live in a nice, friendly neighborhood in a nice, friendly community. We don't care about prestigious zip codes or school test scores. And probably couldn't afford those anyway. We just want our kids (our oldest is three) to attend a safe little school with happy kids and happy parents. We'd love to find a community that doesn't feel like a freeway exit or part of the city, with lots of family-oriented community events and resources.

Based on the salary range we've been given we would be in the mid $300-low $400,000 range. Of course, I'd like to be at the bottom of the range, but the top of the range would be fine, if necessary.

Based on these parameters, what towns within commuting distance do you think of as friendly and safe?

Thanks!!
Considering your husband is making a good salary, there are a number of great inner ring burbs to choose from.

Oak Park-River Forest (you'd be able to buy a nice home (but not prententious) with $300-$400,000 a year). This area is very progressive and friendly. I imagine culturally it is a lot like Seattle maybe.

Brookfield-Riverside a little more quiet and still plenty of character.

Check out La Grange: a bit further than 20 minutes.

Lastly check out Park Ridge.

These are all great "inner ring suburbs" friendly, with great schools, and community activities. All very nice (so at least a little expensive) but like I said not prententious.

Hope this helps!
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Old 12-11-2009, 09:40 PM
 
5,993 posts, read 13,198,131 times
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Also,

Forest Park is very nice and fits the criteria. But one thing to keep in mind for later, the public high school that the town feeds into is not good at all (Proviso east).
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Old 12-11-2009, 10:42 PM
 
Location: Suburbs of Chicago
1,070 posts, read 2,930,026 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tex?Il? View Post
Also,

Forest Park is very nice and fits the criteria. But one thing to keep in mind for later, the public high school that the town feeds into is not good at all (Proviso east).

*Sigh* Didn't I just mention this.

More and more I am ignored on C-D...
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Old 12-11-2009, 11:16 PM
 
Location: Chicago- Hyde Park
4,083 posts, read 10,434,789 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tex?Il? View Post
Also,

Forest Park is very nice and fits the criteria. But one thing to keep in mind for later, the public high school that the town feeds into is not good at all (Proviso east).
or the children could go to PMSA- a magnet school on the south western edge of Forest Park. It's not the best high school but it ranks in the top 100 in Illinois.

Top 100 high schools in Illinois :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Education
best high schools in the area:

Lyons Township HS #30
York HS #30
Oak Park/ River Forest #38
Riverside Brookfield #41
Proviso Math and Science #74
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Old 12-12-2009, 12:01 AM
 
Location: Suburbs of Chicago
1,070 posts, read 2,930,026 times
Reputation: 265
Quote:
Originally Posted by noid_1985 View Post
or the children could go to PMSA- a magnet school on the south western edge of Forest Park. It's not the best high school but it ranks in the top 100 in Illinois.

Top 100 high schools in Illinois :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Education
best high schools in the area:

Lyons Township HS #30
York HS #30
Oak Park/ River Forest #38
Riverside Brookfield #41
Proviso Math and Science #74
I wish I had a "nodding my head" emote.
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