Chicago suburbs vs NoVa Real Estate Market

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Chicago is a real city; like second only to New York City in density and size. It is really cold from October to late April.

When I was there my Chicago born friend who had young family swore they would never leave. Then Boeing relocated them to Charleston and eventually their families left for SC who had been there for generations. I did 2 years there and it is fine; just really cold. I was single but after seeing my friend leave and never come back or look back I never considered that a place I would want to live.
My friend never lost his Chicago accent though, so there is another negative.

Most in Chicagoland have no accent.

Not true. Many have a Midwestern accent. Many others have a polish accent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do not move to the Chicago area. Been there done that.

Why do you say that? My instant negatives are winter and northern state taxation but other reasons?

Murders. Violence. Crime.

Chicago is more dangerous than DC.

No, it's not. Chicago has a lot of crime, but people forget that Chicago is a huge city with a population of 2.7 million people. The homicide rate in DC is actually worse than Chicago

https://www-cbsnews-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.cbsnews.com/amp/pictures/murder-map-deadliest-u-s-cities/?amp_js_v=a6&_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQKKAFQArABIIACAw%3D%3D#app

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Chicago is a real city; like second only to New York City in density and size. It is really cold from October to late April.

When I was there my Chicago born friend who had young family swore they would never leave. Then Boeing relocated them to Charleston and eventually their families left for SC who had been there for generations. I did 2 years there and it is fine; just really cold. I was single but after seeing my friend leave and never come back or look back I never considered that a place I would want to live.
My friend never lost his Chicago accent though, so there is another negative.

Most in Chicagoland have no accent.

Not true. Many have a Midwestern accent. Many others have a polish accent.

Agreed. They absolutely have Midwestern accents, albeit specific to Chicagoland. Not Minnesota, not Michigan.

[Anonymous]

Oak Park because of the proximity to downtown Chicago, the excellent public schools, the small community feel, and their focus on inclusivity and diversity. You'll have to adjust to their super high real estate taxes.

[Anonymous]

This is a classic style of home in Oak Park, with surprisingly low taxes. https://www.redfin.com/IL/Oak-Park/511-Lyman-Ave-60304/home/13251702

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a classic style of home in Oak Park, with surprisingly low taxes. https://www.redfin.com/IL/Oak-Park/511-Lyman-Ave-60304/home/13251702

That’s right by Austin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Chicago suburbs will be cheaper. These certainly aren't perfect comparisons to Vienna due to the broader differences in the Metro areas, mainly Chicago is a much bigger city and older. With that caveat and assuming you want Metra access take a look at Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Park Ridge, Elmhurst, Western Springs, Glen Ellyn and La Grange as very rough comparables. You are overall likely to be thrilled by school quality from K -12 and easier/somewhat less costly childcare options and, as many have rightly said, shocked by local taxes.

I live in Vienna and my brother lives in Glen Ellyn. I’d trade any day of the week! Cute downtown, walkable, and even more social things to do in town than in Vienna. Better restaurants, shops, and bars, plus a great public park/swim complex. He pays a lot in taxes, but I think it’s worth it!

You sound like you’re well-off. Have you two ever lived in a crappy suburb? Try Cicero or Berwyn in IL. Sterling or Seven Corners in VA.

The IL schools are facing many of the same struggles as here. Perhaps not overcrowding, since many families have fled the state.

Yeah, Glen Ellyn is nice. So is Long Grove.