Thinking of moving from suburbs to city...what neighborhoods??

[emathias]

Originally Posted by tomcho

I certainly wouldn't consider Kimball the western edges of Lincoln Square, unless I was a real estate agent. Kimball and Montrose is probably a mile West of Lincoln Square. There is also a large group of people who probably wouldn't consider Kimball and Montrose a family friendly area.

tomcho, please actually read what I write instead of making things up.

The "This place" portion of the sentence is obviously in Albany Park, which is why I named Albany Park, and then pointed out that "a few others like it" can be found near the western edge of Lincoln Square. Note I said "a few" - I didn't make it out like I was saying they were ripe for the taking, just that they can be found.

This is especially true when you realize prices are still soft and you can negotiate on many places, and if in addition to listings shown as 4-bedrooms, you seek out 3-bedrooms with dens or offices or unfinished basements that could be fairly easily and cheaply used at a 4-bed place.

This this place, which has only 3 bedrooms, but it has over 3 bathrooms (handy for when the boys become teenagers), and has a dining room, a living room AND a family room - you'd have to view it to be sure, but it seems like you could probably convert one of those three into a bedroom. It doesn't have much backyard, but it does have a fenced front yard on a quiet street and a park just around the corner. It's listed at $499k, but I'm sure the seller would come down at least some, maybe enough that it would be "close enough" to the desired cost.

All that said, I don't know that it really works for the husband's desired commute length, but it does exist, and I think more than just real estate agents would consider nice properties east of the river and less than a leisurely 10 minute walk to Lincoln to be the western edge of Lincoln Square..

[tomcho]

Originally Posted by emathias

tomcho, please actually read what I write instead of making things up.

The "This place" portion of the sentence is obviously in Albany Park, which is why I named Albany Park, and then pointed out that "a few others like it" can be found near the western edge of Lincoln Square. Note I said "a few" - I didn't make it out like I was saying they were ripe for the taking, just that they can be found.

This is especially true when you realize prices are still soft and you can negotiate on many places, and if in addition to listings shown as 4-bedrooms, you seek out 3-bedrooms with dens or offices or unfinished basements that could be fairly easily and cheaply used at a 4-bed place.

This this place, which has only 3 bedrooms, but it has over 3 bathrooms (handy for when the boys become teenagers), and has a dining room, a living room AND a family room - you'd have to view it to be sure, but it seems like you could probably convert one of those three into a bedroom. It doesn't have much backyard, but it does have a fenced front yard on a quiet street and a park just around the corner. It's listed at $499k, but I'm sure the seller would come down at least some, maybe enough that it would be "close enough" to the desired cost.

All that said, I don't know that it really works for the husband's desired commute length, but it does exist, and I think more than just real estate agents would consider nice properties east of the river and less than a leisurely 10 minute walk to Lincoln to be the western edge of Lincoln Square..

You said this...
"This place, and a few others like it, are in the Albany Park or western edges of Lincoln Square are"

And provided no other places like it, so one could easily assume you were engaging in real estate community boundaries. The one example you just provided is indeed in Lincoln Square and is a 3BR for $500,000. Not to mention that 3rd existing bedroom is in the basement along with the family room. The OPs budget was $350,000, I wouldn't consider a $500,000 3BR with a proposed 4th bedroom in a basement renovation, close enough. So I stand by my original statement. I've searched extensively for homes in Lincoln Square over the past few months, and a vast majority of 4 BRs east of the river are over $500,000

[tonythetuna]

Originally Posted by tomcho

Kimball and Montrose is probably a mile West of Lincoln Square.

It most certainly is.

[paytonc]

Now that's an interesting set of parameters to work with.

Originally Posted by tomcho

Portage Park or Jefferson Park/Norwood Park have probably the largest lots you're going to find in the city on a single lot(which is all your 350k budget is going to get you)

Almost all city lots are going to be the same size, so you might consider whether you're close to parks and such. Some parts of Albany Park have great parks along the river (but unfortunately, such parts also can flood in the springtime). A few city neighborhoods were platted with more generous lots -- Rogers Park, Old Irving Park, Kenwood, and Beverly come to mind -- but these often have price tags to match.

[tomcho]

Originally Posted by paytonc

Now that's an interesting set of parameters to work with.



Almost all city lots are going to be the same size, so you might consider whether you're close to parks and such. Some parts of Albany Park have great parks along the river (but unfortunately, such parts also can flood in the springtime). A few city neighborhoods were platted with more generous lots -- Rogers Park, Old Irving Park, Kenwood, and Beverly come to mind -- but these often have price tags to match.

There are many non-standard lots in Jefferson Park. There are complete blocks with side drives and extra deep lots. I happen to have one of those lots and love the convenience of the side drive and 2.5 car garage.

[tonythetuna]

Originally Posted by tomcho

There are many non-standard lots in Jefferson Park. There are complete blocks with side drives and extra deep lots. I happen to have one of those lots and love the convenience of the side drive and 2.5 car garage.

Yes, and in a place such as Old Norwood Park most of the lots are far bigger than the average Chicago lot because of the large sheer size footprint of many of the houses.