Hi Moms,
This is sort of a general, off in the future question, but here it goes . . .
We currently live in Chicago. My husband just got a new job in Park Ridge (and the office is moving to Arlington Heights in a year or so) and his commute is brutal. We are looking to move (maybe in a year or 2), but have NO idea where to go. We both grew up in the south suburbs, but can't go south as it won't help the commute. We would like to live in a nice, diverse community (we are an inter-racial family - I am caucasian and he is african american).
We know a little about Bolingbrook and have looked at houses (which by the way we could buy a house there for less than our house and it would be twice the size of this one - which makes me giddy!), but not sure if that would really help his commute either.
I don't think we want n/nw suburbs either though. I know, I am picky . . .
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. This is nothing immediate and a very, very new thought in our minds and we've got time to look and research it, but I thought I'd throw it out to you guys too. Thanks!!
B.
YOu definitely want to move to Oak Park. It's right off 290 so the commute wouldn't be bad and it's probably the most diverse suburb in all of chicagoland. Tons of inter-racial families, gay families, etc. The schools are great, lots of restaurants, etc.
THe houses are expensive and the taxes are high, that's the downfall. Good luck with whatever you decide. Come check out Oak Park!
Hi B.,
I can highly recommend Oak Park, not sure how much time that would save off your husband's commute, but Oak Park is very diverse and the whole community is very proud of that fact. I live in Oak Park and moved here for the diversity almost 13 years ago. I wanted my son to grow up knowing all different types of people and it's been wonderful...I love it here.
Forest Park is another up and coming diverse suburb, boarders Oak Park to the west, (and a little south).
Evanston is also very diverse, although you did mention that you didn't want N/NW suburbs.
If you have any questions about Oak Park, please feel free to call me at ###-###-####.
J. K Penfield
www.teamwahu.com
Phone ###-###-####
Cell Phone ###-###-####
Hi B., my name is L. Clemente & I am a Realtor with Coldwell Banker. I'm not able to discuss demographics but I would hope that in this day & age all neighborhoods would be excepting. I live in Berwyn (town just south of Oak Park) & I generally work in Berwyn, LaGrange, Riverside & surrounding areas. (The women who responded are right about Oak Park.) Oak Park still is quite a commute but Boling Brook is much farther. If you want to look on a map & see what towns are close enough I could refer you to websites to do a little more research. I could also send you listings when you're ready. call ###-###-#### or e-mail!
Hi B.~
I currently live in Berwyn and commute to Niles (which is a suburb literally 5 minutes from Park Ridge). My commute is about 45 minutes. I have tried the expressway vs. streets and have found that they are pretty similar in time but I choose the streets as sitting in traffic drives me crazy! It's really not bad and I hate to say it but I am on autopilot most mornings and feel like I arrive at work in no time. My commute home I can't really speak to b/c I have to stop and pick the kids up from the sitter.
Overall, I like Berwyn. We are at the Northern most point of the city and you step across the street and you are in Oak Park. As others have mentioned Oak Park is pricy but being so close allows us to hang out there :-) We are also right off of the expressway which is nice when we want to go downtown. Berwyn's park district has a lot to offer and I think we are diverse community.
From what some coworkers have said, Niles is a nice suburb to live in and not too pricey. I have also heard good things about Morton Grove (not sure about cost)which is very close.
As someone above mentioned, Forest Park is up and coming and it looks like their park district has a lot to offer for kids.
Feel free to email me if you want to go more in depth about anything.
Good luck!
Sorry! I didn't read the part about not necessarily wanting to live in the North/Northwest suburbs.
AND I have a boxer too! He is 6 years old.
Hi B.! I was going to write and recommend Oak Park, which I see others have already done. It is such a wonderful and diverse community, full of forward-thinking people. I really think you would like it. Yes, it is expensive (we rent, and are not sure we can ever afford to buy here), but the close-by communities are more affordable. Also consider Galewood (a cute neighborhood of Chicago, just north of Oak Park) which seems diverse and fun, too, and may shorten the commute a little. Best of luck in your decision!
