We are potentially relocating to the area, and I need information on neighborhoods.
The job will be in Lombard. So far Naperville seems to be a fit. We will rent at first, as I hope we dont stay there permanently. I envision growing old in Chicago, nor am I happy about the move. The property taxes alone make me shudder!
@gloworm hadn’t been around in a while but came back to participate in the MLB thread. Maybe she can help?
One of my Ds lived there for a year just after college while working for a theatre company. I visited several times but don’t know the city well enough to give this kind of advice. Now, if you want to move to Toronto, I am an expert. 
sent you a PM
I forgot to mention, we are officially empty nesters, so schools are not a factor.
Sorry, I only know the city and close-in suburbs well.
Partyof5…that is a wonderful area directly west of Chicago proper. I lived in the area (GlenEllyn) leaving just 3 years ago for warmer climates. GlenEllyn or Wheaton are great villages to live in…cute “downtown” areas with restaurants and shops, and the train to Chicago runs right thru the village center. If you have kids in school the GlenEllyn school districts are highly rated. That’s one reason the property taxes are so high.
You have more shopping and dining options a short hop away at the Yorktown and Oakbrook mall areas. The Morton arboretum is close as is Catnigy. There is a small community theater in GlenEllyn and Drury Lane at Oakbrook(for when you want theater but don’t want to travel all the way downtown!). Illinois Prairie Path also runs through the area.
I still go back atleast once a year as I love the area and to eat at a few of our favorite local restaurants. If you need a dermatologist recommendation let me know. I still fly back to see mine in the area as I don’t think he is replaceable (and I’m in another large city!)
I lived in Hinsdale until moving (also warmer climes) last year. Naperville is a lovely town but like so many other suburbs on the train line, it’s very family oriented. Most of the western suburbs are decent to excellent neighborhoods so it really depends on what lifestyle you’re looking for. Do you want to rent a house in a neighborhood? Condo near a downtown so you can walk to restaurants etc.? Close to public transportation or expressways to get into Chicago? I went apartment hunting with DS early last year so can point you to a few interesting apartment complexes if you want to PM me.
We just sold our house in Lisle, which is just east of Naperville. We lived there for almost 30 years. We moved south to downsize our house and taxes, but loved raising our kids there. If I had to commute to Lombard by car, I would look at places easily accessible along I-355 or I-88, avoiding Finley Road or Butterfield Road. The traffic on Finley Road and Butterfield during rush hour is TERRIBLE. It is a busy shopping area, and many employers are in that area. Add the holiday shoppers in November and December, and it would take forever to get home.
Maybe Elmhurst would be a nice suburb and you could avoid some congestion?
All of my kids have left the nest, two are in currently in college, so schools are not an issue. Ideally my hubby would love the urban experience, to live closer to the city. However, we have a dog, and I do 99% of the dog duties. I am no fan of bundling up, catching an elevator or a bunch of steps to let the dog out several times per day. At times my dog takes forever to do his business, sniffing each blade of grass to find the perfect spot. Given all of that, I would like to rent a house or townhome, so that I can literally crack open the door with him on a REALLY long leash and he can do his business in the yard.
@Marilyn Hinsdale is beautiful, but it is too pricey. I dont think I would like an apt unless I was in a luxury highrise, or I lived on the top floor. I cant stand hearing folks walk over my head. However, the dog issue sort of cancels out both of those.
Someone suggested Oak Park to me, where I could get the city life, but be in a western area. I still think it adds too much cost, as the train would be $10/day, then he would have to UBER to his job from the Lombard station.
I am not sure if we will ever buy in Chicago, I cant imagine paying 7-10k per year in property taxes on a 350k house.
We currently pay 4k per year, and we are in one of the citys top school districts.
Does anyone have opinions regarding Oak Park, or Aurora? I see quite a few nice affordable rentals in Aurora. Or is that a really long commute? My husband doesnt mind a 30-40 minute commute.
Lifelong Chicagoan here…I would second Elmhurst and would also suggest La Grange. Both have very cute downtowns with restaurants, commuter train lines, etc. Oak Park first came to mind- it definitely has an urban feeling and easy access to the city. Aurora would not be on my list- commute would be long, its very far out from the city and I’m just generally not a big fan. Naperville is a great option but would depend what part of town as it’s a huge suburb - ideally I would think you would want to be on the northeast side to cut down commute time to Lombard. Another option might be Downers Grove.
Aurora is verging on being out in the middle of nowhere (OK… perhaps a little hyperbole, but look at the maps)… it’s really on the edge of the suburbs, if you don’t mind that. If you’re in Aurora, you’re going to think twice about heading into the city for concerts, plays, professional sports events, museums, etc., vs. living Oak Park. I mean, I’m sure it’s a lovely community, but people who live there, live there because they want to be more rural. Oak Park definitely has more history, more of an identity and community feel. If I was moving to a new metropolitan area, and wanted to experience all the downtown has to offer, ESPECIALLY because you’re now empty nesters and can do more of those things, then I would, hands down, choose Oak Park over Aurora. But there are a lot of other suburbs that aren’t at one extreme or the other of those two, that you should still consider.
Oak Park has some very fine areas on the west side near the Frank Lloyd Wright historic district, but it’s also very expensive, and there’s always traffic getting in and out. If you’re looking at the Fox River area, I’d probably pick Geneva or St. Charles over Aurora - both very charming towns. Elmhurst has a decent downtown area with some good restaurants. Naperville probably has the most upscale downtown. One place we looked for DS was Ovaltine Court in Villa Park - it’s pet friendly and they seem to have townhouses. It’s in the old Ovaltine factory. But not walking distance from much although it’s right on the bike Prairie Path.
Also maybe look at La Grange - further commute to Lombard but lively downtown and very quick into the city via train.
partyof5,
I have my experience of the South end of the City. I grew up in the Beverly/Morgan Park area. The homes are very old and spacious, for the most part.
I think in your shoes I might check out Homewood. It is a nice, racially mixed suburb, and has a Metra station.
H and I moved across the border to IN years ago. Everything is cheaper here. We both continued working in Illinois, though. When we go into the City we either drive to Homewood or Hammond to catch the train. The Hammond station is not Metra, but South Shore.
Good Luck in your search, and try to visit Wrigley Field at least once.
I fully agree about the dog convenience issue. I want to plug the off-leash dog parks in DuPage County. They are part of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. I was a regular at one for about 5 years. There are lots of regulars and you feel like you are walking into the “Cheers” bar, except everybody knows your dog’s name. You get a $40 pass for a year. I have never been to the Will County dog parks, but there is a lovely one just south of Naperville.
Fully agree with @katie93mom, @Marilyn and @BerneseMtnMom. The suburbs surrounding Lombard are similar in demographics and feel. (at least to me - lived in some, taught in some, have friends/acquaintances in all) Generally, middle class, family oriented. If it was me, I would go for the rental with the closest commute to the Lombard job. Commuting distances everyday by car can get very old, very fast. I don’t think you can go wrong in the communities listed above, and after a year, you will better know the area if you want to move to something more to your personal taste.
Not mentioned above, Western Springs, another pleasant 'burb by LaGrange.
Oak Park is a different story. Much more of an urban feel and mixed demographics. Many people love it - many would not consider living there. I agree with others re Aurora, also. You are building a longer commute and it is far from the city if you ever want to go in - even the train is end of the line.
Hi! I grew up on the north side of Chicago, south of Lincolnwood. For the last 20 yrs I’ve lived in the western suburbs.
I personally love Naperville, but as with everything there are pros and cons. I don’t know you personally…your likes and dislikes, but I’ll share my thoughts on a few things.
First, I’ll share my thoughts on commuting. If you choose Naperville, live as close to I-88. It helps with access to the city. During rush hour, traveling through Naperville is difficult…and as someone else mentioned, it’s large. You may want to look at travel times to and from Lombard during the times your husband will be traveling. O’Hare, on off-peak times can be reached in 30 minutes.
Next, Naperville and the western suburbs give access to a wide variety of entertainment possibilities. I don’t know what you like, but I’ll list a few things we enjoy. College of Dupage, North Central College and the Paramount in Aurora are venues that have quality productions without the trek into Chicago. COD is a particular favorite with its easy access and free parking.
The area has a lot of places to explore for those who like the outdoors. We enjoy the (amazing) Morton Arboretum, Herricks Lake, Springbrook, and the Fox River bike trail.
Naperville has a lot of restaurants. My husband and I like to go out to eat a lot and since we are early retirees, we can frequent popular establishments at lunchtime, when they are less crowded and often offer lunch specials. Check out the downtown and Freedom Commons area.
To go along with the food theme, there are a lot of very nice grocery stores. We like Casey’s, Trader Joe’s, Mariano’s, and Standard Market (the Grill is wonderful!).
Lastly, enough can’t be said about downtown Naperville. It is a lovely mix of restaurants (La Sorella, Hugo’s Frog Bar, Sullivan’s, Heaven on Seven, Egg Harbor, Lou Malnati’s, Giordano’s, Front Street, Ted Montana’s, Noodles, etc…I told you we eat out a lot!) and retail (Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, Apple, Anderson’s Bookshop, Barnes and Noble, Naperville Running Store, Sephora, Penzey’s, Adagio Teas, and many clothes stores).
The Riverwalk is gorgeous and inviting. Parking has been a problem, but the opening of the new Water St. parking garage may help during peak times.
If you have any questions feel free to ask. This city girl has been converted. I like to visit the old neighborhood (Lincoln Square), but I have no plans of ever leaving the western suburbs.
re post # 8. Those taxes sound similar to our old Wisconsin house. But- you get what you pay for regarding good schools in some states. We used to visit Chicago often for the museums- and Chicagoans would visit our part of the state for their weekend get ways. We also moved south-to Florida- for the weather and taxes for retirement.
i would also say Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Downers Grove or Naperville. I am in that area now.
While I lived in Oak Park for 10 years, I would not go there now. It is too congested for me and parking can be a big issue for renters. I also would warn against Cook County politics and taxes. It crazy there! They are just looking for things to tax. Cook is now talking about a 1 cent per ounce tax on all sugared drinks both vending and bottled/canned. That would add about 64 cents to a 2 liter bottle. Diet drinks are included in this.
Dupage County politics is much calmer.
I’d love to help, but we know zilch about the Western Suburbs. Love the Chicago area, in general, though. Good luck!
Can anyone tell me about Bolingbrook?