city or rural?

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by nearnorth

Though Plainfield is at the edge of the metro area, and rural by the standards of city-dwellers, I'm not sure that someone from rural Utah would view it as such. I agree that they should look in that direction, if commuting to Hodgkins. I just think they may have to go a tad past Plainfield for truly rural.

Go a few miles outside of Plainfield to the SW. It's farmland and rural as hell.

[marothisu]

I think you should do what you're comfortable with, but suburban in some of these areas is in no way "urban" really. You'll still, in some of these areas, have a quarter acre lot for your house, maybe even more if you're lucky. Still plenty of room to run around in, very quiet usually, etc.

[dlong1991]

I grew up in the southwest area of Plainfield/Joliet, and my grandmother lives in LaGrange (which borders Hodgkins).

I used to make that drive all the time...27 minutes in light traffic, 45 minutes in moderate/delayed traffic.

If you are willing to drive up to an hour, I would look into these cities:

Minooka, Channahon, Yorkville, Oswego. If you wanna get super isolated, and almost forgotten about but still within your guideline...check out Newark, Millington, and the general area of IL 71 between US 52 and IL 126. That area follows the river and has more hilly and winding roads than most surrounding areas.

[dan1024]

My sister (3 children under 6) lives on the border of Joliet and Plainfield and it's rural as hell. She lives in a small development but all around her is farmland. Big backyard and areas for the kids to play. Only takes me about 50 minutes from Lincoln Park to get there too on the weekends.

[nearnorth]

Originally Posted by Chanmarie

Although rural like we have here would be ideal we don't have to have the acreage we have here. Honestly just something with a pretty good sized yard in a slower paced area would be great.

In that case, I think you'll be able to find something in either Illinois or Indiana, though not every area will have it in your price range, of course.

[nearnorth]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Go a few miles outside of Plainfield to the SW. It's farmland and rural as hell.

Exactly. That's why I said I would go "a tad past Plainfield."

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by nearnorth

Exactly. That's why I said I would go "a tad past Plainfield."

Yes, that is what I was saying from the beginning if you want rural.

[nearnorth]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Yes, that is what I was saying from the beginning if you want rural.

I misinterpreted you, then. Glad we agree.

[Lookout Kid]

I agree with the posters who are telling you to look in the Plainfield area, or along the I-55 corridor. Another option would be to look more south along I-355 at towns like Frankfort, New Lenox, or Mokena. I have a friend who lives in Mokena, and he has the largest yard of anyone I know. And he didn't pay an arm and a leg for it.

Manhattan and Monee definitely have a rural feel to them, but the expressway commute is less direct.