Another where would you move in Chicago post (ASD upper elementary child)

[Anonymous]

Another where would you move in Chicago post. Looking for good schools but preferably not pressure cooker environment. We have a 9 year old with level 1 ASD who currently attends public school and who (we think) will likely continue in public, but accessibility to privates is also a plus. We also have a NT 5 year old. We currently live in Takoma Park, lived in several neighborhoods in Chicago proper in the past, and we are open to the city or suburbs. DH’a office would be near Ogilvie so Metra or El is doable

[Anonymous]

There are very few non-religious private schools in Chicago/suburbs. Plan for public. Really just depends where you want to live. You need to explore with a realtor.

[Anonymous]

If it were me, I would probably look at Oak Park, which is a very close-in suburb.

In the city, I'd look in Ravenswood/Lincoln Square for a neighborhood feel. I'm not sure about the schools there, though. For a more urban feel, a friend lives in a big condo building (400 E Randolph) near the lake in an area they are apparently now calling the New Eastside, and he sends his elementary school kids to public (it is a very wealthy area and the pta raises a lot of money to fund the school).

But there are many, many options. Chicago is a big and wonderful place. I'm jealous. I used to live in Chicago and miss it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are very few non-religious private schools in Chicago/suburbs. Plan for public. Really just depends where you want to live. You need to explore with a realtor.

A friend attended Francis Parker and now sends his daughter. It's an incredible school and not religious. Very tough to get in, though.

[Anonymous]

I would look at Naperville, oak Park, Elmhurst, Riverside, Lagrange,vwinnetka, Wilmette, etc. essentially every place where a SFH averages about 600k + with another 20k+ in taxes each year

[Anonymous]

Hi! I live in Oak Park and know DC well - we definitely have a Takoma Park vibe. Diverse, very progressive, strong community, walkable, right next to the city so short commute downtown and pretty urban (with some crime that comes with that). Have a kid with special needs and overall happy with the schools and love the libraries and park district, which are super inclusive and amazing in general (although you definitely pay a lot in taxes for all of the services). Happy to answer any questions.

[Anonymous]

Agree - take a look at Riverside, la Grange, Western springs. Walkable downtowns, easy commute on the metra, good public school districts and easy trips to both midway and ohare airports. Some have larger schools than others so you can pick the school size that fits best for you and your family. I have heard many people do move into La Grange/Riverside for LADSE (la grange area department of special education) if you need to think about other support services)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it were me, I would probably look at Oak Park, which is a very close-in suburb.

In the city, I'd look in Ravenswood/Lincoln Square for a neighborhood feel. I'm not sure about the schools there, though. For a more urban feel, a friend lives in a big condo building (400 E Randolph) near the lake in an area they are apparently now calling the New Eastside, and he sends his elementary school kids to public (it is a very wealthy area and the pta raises a lot of money to fund the school).

But there are many, many options. Chicago is a big and wonderful place. I'm jealous. I used to live in Chicago and miss it.

The taxes in Oak Park are crazy if you plan to buy a home though. Resale is difficult because of this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another where would you move in Chicago post. Looking for good schools but preferably not pressure cooker environment. We have a 9 year old with level 1 ASD who currently attends public school and who (we think) will likely continue in public, but accessibility to privates is also a plus. We also have a NT 5 year old. We currently live in Takoma Park, lived in several neighborhoods in Chicago proper in the past, and we are open to the city or suburbs. DH’a office would be near Ogilvie so Metra or El is doable

Just a heads up that the CTA from Oak Park to the Loop has become unusable post Covid if you are a white professional. We all drive in.

[Anonymous]

My vote is Riverside. So cute and family friendly with great schools and parks. Love the downtown and Metra to the city. While I love Oak Park the pace is Riverside is less crazed. Agree on CTA from Oak Park too. No good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it were me, I would probably look at Oak Park, which is a very close-in suburb.

In the city, I'd look in Ravenswood/Lincoln Square for a neighborhood feel. I'm not sure about the schools there, though. For a more urban feel, a friend lives in a big condo building (400 E Randolph) near the lake in an area they are apparently now calling the New Eastside, and he sends his elementary school kids to public (it is a very wealthy area and the pta raises a lot of money to fund the school).

But there are many, many options. Chicago is a big and wonderful place. I'm jealous. I used to live in Chicago and miss it.

The taxes in Oak Park are crazy if you plan to buy a home though. Resale is difficult because of this.

Resale is actually not difficult in Oak Park. People are willing to pay the taxes for the schools and proximity to the city. There's not enough OP houses to meet the demand. That being said, the public schools in River Forest, which is next door to Oak Park and they share a high school, are actually better for kids with IEPs. I'd look at River Forest.

[Anonymous]

If you’re on facebook, join North Shore Parents of Kids with Special Needs. Despite the name, it covers the whole Chicago Metro area. Folks there can speak specifically to the autism piece.

[Anonymous]

If you're looking for something that will feel familiar to the DMV, you should look in Oak Park or Evanston. The former is much more affordable, but both are cute and extremely close to the city. Other parts of the Chicago area are not just so segregated and lack the cosmopolitan feel of the DMV. Feels like a bunch of midwestern people with very insular mindsets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're looking for something that will feel familiar to the DMV, you should look in Oak Park or Evanston. The former is much more affordable, but both are cute and extremely close to the city. Other parts of the Chicago area are not just so segregated and lack the cosmopolitan feel of the DMV. Feels like a bunch of midwestern people with very insular mindsets.

are just so segregated*