commuting from city to Lombard (Chicago, Deerfield: rent, purchase, live)

[Mxyzpytlyk]

Hello dear Chicago experts,
I live on the far north side and recently started a job in Lombard. The commute is its own special kind of hell. Actually, that's an exaggeration - it's really not too bad until I hit I-90, and THEN it turns into special hell. The Lombard metra station is pretty close to where I work, and I'm wondering if there's a way I can just get my car out to Lombard and then drive between work and the metra station every day. Can I just leave my car at the Lombard metra station? Is it expensive? Is there usually parking available, or is there a chance I would not be able to find any? Also, is the metra fairly reliable, or do there tend to be frequent delays similar to the CTA?
Please let me know if you have any advice - the job is definitely worth the commute, but I die a little inside when I think about how just last month my workplace was just a 15-minute bike ride away

[chet everett]

I do not believe that you can leave a car at the station overnight, need to call the Village and ask them -- Lombard, IL - Official Site - Daily Fee Spaces

There are some local businesses that do rent spaces off street to folks that want to park overnight, maybe even some churches -- First Church of Lombard contact

In general the on time performance of Metra is very very good, if you are used to the unpredictable delays of even the expressways most folks find Metra far better, of course it is still steel wheels and iron so when things like subzero temperatures freeze switches you can be stuck. In general reverse commuter service is not as high a priority as the traditional inbound AM / outbound PM routes...

[MPowering1]

A lot of people do what you're suggesting, which is to drive to a Metra station in another town and then take the train in to work. I think Lombard has a number of lots, some are feed the meter only and others allow you to purchase a quarterly permit, which will run you anywhere from $75 - $150, depending on the lot. Fees are for both residents and non-residents. .

I don't think you're asking about parking overnight at a metra station, but if you are, it depends on the village. At the Deerfield station it's allowed but you have to call the police department and let them know you'll be parked overnight, as well as giving them the make of the car, your license plate number, and the number of the space you're parked in.

[ChicagoMeO]

when the Eisenhower xpressway gets crowded, I take Roosevelt Road or North Avenue,, it gets you there quicker.

[MPowering1]

I'm wondering if you would have gotten different responses if you had posted this in the Chicago Suburbs forum.

[oakparkdude]

Based on the Village of Lombard website, it doesn't look like they specifically exclude overnight parking. Still, its best to call the municipality and ask them directly. Don't forget that parking overnight in the winter time runs you the risk of being plowed in after a blizzard. Again, check with the village for snow emergency parking.

[Mxyzpytlyk]

These responses are great; thank you so much. It looks like the metra may not be the solution I was hoping for, but I will definitely look into whether I can park overnight at the station.