Moving to Chicago from NY - LGBT Family (Evanston, Oak Park: rent, condo)

[CyclingCPA]

Hi all my wife and I (lesbian couple) are relocating to Chicago with our 2 year old within the next six months. We will likely rent for a bit while we feel out various neighborhoods. We will both me working in Chicago but would like to buy a house in a town outside of the city. We would like a larger house and yard and more importantly, be in a town with diversity and that is LGBT friendly. We have decent paying jobs so price is not very important. More so the diversity, good schools, low crime, ability to make friends our age (lower 30s) are the most important thing for us. Thank you in advance for your help!

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by CyclingCPA

Hi all my wife and I (lesbian couple) are relocating to Chicago with our 2 year old within the next six months. We will likely rent for a bit while we feel out various neighborhoods. We will both me working in Chicago but would like to buy a house in a town outside of the city. We would like a larger house and yard and more importantly, be in a town with diversity and that is LGBT friendly. We have decent paying jobs so price is not very important. More so the diversity, good schools, low crime, ability to make friends our age (lower 30s) are the most important thing for us. Thank you in advance for your help!

I know that you are coming from New York City, but if I'm going to recommend a neighborhood like Lakewood-Balmoral in Edgewater, it needs to be understood that homes there are around a million dollars. What exactly is your budget?

[CyclingCPA]

Budget around 900k

[emathias]

Originally Posted by CyclingCPA

Budget around 900k

You should be able to find a SFH for that in the suggested areas, or maybe even Andersonville. Otherwise a pretty spectacular condo in those areas, or a very nice, if less spectacular condo downtown.

Chicago overall is one of the most LGBT+ friendly cities in the country. I think you will be fine in any neighborhood that has the other amenities you want.

[personone]

I second Andersonville. It's got some really nice homes and beautiful tree-lined streets. Lots of nice local neighborhood bars, shops, and restaurants. I believe it very LGBT-friendly too and diverse.

Lakeview is close by which is known as the major LGBT neighborhood in the city. Lakeview would also be an option.

*I just notoced that you are interested in a house outside the city. In that case, there are too many options to offer without more details. The Northshore suburbs are gorgeous. $900K in many of the northshore towns could get you something decent. Lots of greenery, near the lake, great schools, open-minded people. Northwest suburbs are really nice, modern, and diverse too.

[citylove101]

The typical recommendations for close-in suburbs that are diverse, gay-friendly, and family-friendly are Evanston, immediately north of the city, and Oak Park, just to the west. Both have good school systems, decent urban amenities, and el and/or commuter rail lines downtown to the Loop. I’d guess finding homes under $1 million wouldn’t be difficult, but the property taxes are likely high, like New Jersey or Connecticut. Maybe a local can weigh in and say more.

[MSchemist80]

I would worry about transit to work first. If your work is near an L or metra stop I would look for a place on that line. Driving into the city can be pretty miserable. Pretty much any of the decent Chicago neighborhoods are fine though the north side along the Red line would probably be optimal. There are nice neighborhoods along the blue and brown line as well. Suburbs Oak Park, Evanston. Out west in DuPage Co there is a greater population of Evangelicals but even they would not likely give you any issues in this day and age.

[fusillirob1983]

Yes, part of this should depend on where you work, but given your budget sounds like you can live wherever convenient.

I'd look at these places, but easier to narrow down once the general commute required is understood.

Evanston
Oak Park
River Forest
Wilmette
Park Ridge
Elmhurst
LaGrange
Western Springs

The first 3 listed are the most diverse, but I think you would be okay as LGBT in any of the above listed towns. I'd list more, but at your budget, you can live pretty close to the city and get a nice house.

[Master Jay]

My dream is that in my lifetime, I will witness people not feeling the need to emphasize their (fill in the blank) as a cause of potential concern, regarding being well received in a place to live.

That said, the contributors here have mentioned great places; that I would like to say are great places for ANYONE to live!

Best of luck to the OP and family!

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by citylove101

The typical recommendations for close-in suburbs that are diverse, gay-friendly, and family-friendly are Evanston, immediately north of the city, and Oak Park, just to the west. Both have good school systems, decent urban amenities, and el and/or commuter rail lines downtown to the Loop. I’d guess finding homes under $1 million wouldn’t be difficult, but the property taxes are likely high, like New Jersey or Connecticut. Maybe a local can weigh in and say more.

More like New Jersey in the suburbs, far higher than most of Fairfield County. However, property taxes within the City of Chicago tend to be a bit lower than those in the suburbs.

LGBT single-family homeowners are highly visible in Edgewater (Andersonville), Rogers Park, and West Ridge. I've also known a handful of same-sex couples scattered throughout the suburbs growing up. Mostly in Evanston, but I also know a couple of families in Lake Forest, one older and childless, and another gay-male household with a child.