My prior thread was closed down. Thinking about moving closer to city, thoughts? I’ve been looking at home prices on Zillow and this is definitely not the hot market we had in Ohio. When I look at price history, folks are barely making anything after being in the house many years.
Berwyn has a lot of gut rehabs reasonably priced so I wanted some opinions.
Bumping this thread, Hoping some Chicago folk can chime in @Marilyn @Midwest67 @psychmomma @higgins2013 @cashel @Wje9164be @beebee3 @homerdog @hanna @katie93mom @BerneseMtnMom @leftrightleft @teriwtt
I’m not on that side of the City. Where I live, far north, home prices have not recovered since 2008. We are still underwater.
I’m sorry; I know very little of Berwyn.
Edit
Are you in the Chicago area now? Why not take a drive over? You could go to some open houses, the realtors will be happy to talk with you!
Yes I’m here and of course I’ve already driven over there. I just wanted opinions of some longtime Chicago residents.
Are you Italian ? It’s an old mob town. 
Berwyn is a classic old suburb. Lots of bungalows.
What are your particulars? What you trying to do?
@yourmomma nope, black middle class. I see some fantastic rehabs in the area very reasonably priced. We can afford a substantial mortgage but I want the keep it low. Chicago homes don’t seem to hold value well. If I had my dream home I would be in Wicker Park or West Town but one can dream right? Also DH still works in western suburb so Berwyn would still be an easy commute to work and to the city for fun. I don’t live the bungalows BUT I would love to get a house with all new guts.
I’m sorry I can’t help. I’m far west/southwest, and am not familiar with Berwyn. (Prices haven’t recovered in my area either.)
I’m not sure Berwyn was ever that much of an Italian mob town. Neighboring Cicero certainly was, but Berwyn was heavily Czech and Slovak until the 1970s when many of the Czechs and Slovaks moved further out. Berwyn did have a problem with Latino street gangs in the 1980s and 1990s, but never as bad as Cicero or certain parts of Chicago. My impression is it’s much tamer now.
Like many inner-ring suburbs Berwyn went through a period of population decline in the late 20th century, but its population has rebounded since about 2000. Now I think it’s fairly diverse but largely working-class Latino—primarily Mexican-American by way of the Pilsen and Little Village neighborhoods on Chicago’s near southwest side, but also some longtime non-Hispanic white residents, mostly older. I don’t think it’s ever had a large black population, though some. I’m told Berwyn also has a budding arts community. It’s never been a particularly affluent community, but not a terribly poor one, either. I think some of those early 20th century bungalows are pretty solidly built and could be attractive living spaces if well rehabbed. It also has some definite locational advantages, not only easy access to the city but it is also adjacent to Oak Park, another older suburb but one with a vibrant arts and cultural scene, distinguished architecture, and lots of shops and restaurants.
On the downside, Berwyn’s schools are perhaps not the strongest, and it has a reputation for political corruption, though whether that’s merited or not, I’m not in a position to judge.
@bclintonk Thanks for the info. We are young empty nesters so fortunately schools are not an issue.
I’ve known two co-workers who raised their families in Berwyn, kids now 30ish. Both Moms taught in the Catholic and public schools in town. Their own kids attended parochial schools. Lower middle - middle class incomes, older 'burb. High Hispanic population. Not a suburb that I think of most seeking out (like Oak Park or Evanston), more one that you land in by default - home price is acceptable, location fine, family in the area, etc.
I still think you would get lots of specific info from a talkative realtor. You can ask specific questions about home prices, neighborhoods, etc. I am in the north 'burbs. Currently talking with a couple realtors about our personal situation. Lived in our area for nearly 20 years and greater Chicago for 20 more including some work in the broader area where you are looking. Learning lots of quite helpful targeted info by talking with those who know the details.
It must be so hard to pick a suburb or area to live without knowing your preferences in the wider area.
I forget, why aren’t you renting first?
@Midwest67 We are currently renting in the suburbs. We would like to be closer to the city. I love our neighborhood now but I can’t justify paying the prices nor taxes especially since all of our kids are out of the house. We also don’t want a house where we may have to replace a furnace, roof etc within the next 8-10 years.
So I discovered Berwyn with a lot of rehabbed houses which seems like it may solve the problem with significant repairs, not to long of a commute to DH job, and a quick hop in the car or train downtown.
@partyof5 Ah, got it.
We are just far enough away from Chicago proper, that’s a PIA to go down, with traffic. The train is a nice option, but it’s not very fast, and they don’t run very often at certain times/days.
I’m over home repairs, so renting sounds lovely to me. So does a townhouse or condo. I wish I could afford Evanston!
Good luck in your hunt.
@Midwest67 yes I could totally do a townhouse but I have a barky dog which I fear could cause a problem. He also has major separation anxiety which isn’t helped because I work from home. He whines TERRIBLY when I leave him.
I think posters up thread have given you a good picture of Berwyn. Not sure what your priorities are in a community. Parks and Recs, house of worship, urban type neighborhood where you can walk to shops, restaurants and transportation in to the city? Closer suburbs to the city = older homes. I don’t agree with your statement that Chicago homes don’t hold their value - not where I live/have lived around the Chicago area. If that is something that’s important to you I would look elsewhere. I believe several posters recommended various western suburbs from La Grange to Naperville. All good choices for various reasons. Have you looked at Oak Park or the Beveryly/Morgan Park neighborhood within the city? Can’t remember where your husband’s job is- I get the whole not wanting a long commute. Good luck!
Well could probably do worse than Berwyn. It’s kind of a tweeter sitting next to oak park and riverside. I don’t know that it would ever be “hot” or trendy like oak park seems to be. But probably a pretty sound value. I’d definitely talk to realtors and commminity members and hang out a few times to get the vibe.
@leftrightleft I’ve looked at Oak Park, the property taxes are astronomical. As I’ve mentioned, my kids are now gone so I’m not a fan of high taxes given I’m not using the schools. I can get close enough to Oak Park if we buy on the northern side of Berwyn. I did look at Beverly it is quite intriguing, nice homes but I think it’s too far for husbands job.