Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Budget is up to $1 million. Live in WL district in Arlington and like it. I have heard not so great things about the north shore area, particularly those feeding into New Trier- the whole conspicuous consumption, rich kid affluenza thing. And a total pressure cooker environment. True or not?

We like neighborhoods with sidewalks, trees, prefer older homes although new homes are fine but very much against tract homes, cul-de-sac-y type subdivisions.

Former Chicagoan here. Yes, all true. I grew up further north but prefer Evanston, but some people may think it too urban. I live in MW so don't know the part of arlington where you live so not sure what you would think of Evanston.

I like urban as long as we have a single family home and a yard. Don't need a downtown type environment, but being able to walk to coffee, parks, maybe a handful of restaurants is preferred.

Also looking to do Catholic school for the kids

Anonymous wrote:Depends on what you need in terms of "nice". Silver Spring nice, Herndon nice or Bethesda nice? Evanston, Winnetka, Highland Park are Chicago-ese for Chevy Chase, Bethesda and Rockville (in no particular order). Great for families and perfect for occasional trips into Chicago and flying out of O'Hare.

Winnetka far exceeds any of those places, bro.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Budget is up to $1 million. Live in WL district in Arlington and like it. I have heard not so great things about the north shore area, particularly those feeding into New Trier- the whole conspicuous consumption, rich kid affluenza thing. And a total pressure cooker environment. True or not?

We like neighborhoods with sidewalks, trees, prefer older homes although new homes are fine but very much against tract homes, cul-de-sac-y type subdivisions.

Former Chicagoan here. Yes, all true. I grew up further north but prefer Evanston, but some people may think it too urban. I live in MW so don't know the part of arlington where you live so not sure what you would think of Evanston.

Sorry, NWDC, not MW.

Anonymous wrote:Budget is up to $1 million. Live in WL district in Arlington and like it. I have heard not so great things about the north shore area, particularly those feeding into New Trier- the whole conspicuous consumption, rich kid affluenza thing. And a total pressure cooker environment. True or not?

We like neighborhoods with sidewalks, trees, prefer older homes although new homes are fine but very much against tract homes, cul-de-sac-y type subdivisions.

Former Chicagoan here. Yes, all true. I grew up further north but prefer Evanston, but some people may think it too urban. I live in MW so don't know the part of arlington where you live so not sure what you would think of Evanston.

Would the Western Springs/LaGrange area be a consideration?

-OP

Budget is up to $1 million. Live in WL district in Arlington and like it. I have heard not so great things about the north shore area, particularly those feeding into New Trier- the whole conspicuous consumption, rich kid affluenza thing. And a total pressure cooker environment. True or not?

We like neighborhoods with sidewalks, trees, prefer older homes although new homes are fine but very much against tract homes, cul-de-sac-y type subdivisions.

Evanston is gorgeous and a very urban suburb. Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe and Northfield (as well as a small portion of Glenview) feed into New Trier which is a great high school but graduating classes are huge which leads to lots of competition for sports teams, etc. Not everyone likes that environment. I had almost 1,000 kids in my graduating class 25 or so years ago. The rest of Glenview feeds to Glenbrook South and Northbrook feeds to Glenbrook North. Both are smaller but I believe South is larger right now. Deerfield and Highland Park are also nice and similar high school sizes to thr Glenbrooks. All of these towns are on Metra stops (although two different lines). Forgot: Kenilworth also goes to New Trier. There are also nice suburbs west of the city like a pp said: Oak Park, River Forest, Hinsdale (more expensive), Glen Ellyn, Clarendon Hills. I'm not as familiar with the schools there but had co workers in big law who lived in all those places fwiw. I also have friends who live in and love the Stevenson High School District and it is very highly ranked. That is Buffalo Grove (certain parts of it), Long Grove, Lincolnshire. I can't remember if you said you are commuting downtown but Metra Service from there isn't as frequent (or at least it wasn't when I lived in the area). A lot will depend on your budget. Property taxes will be much higher than the DC area and they will be higher in Lake County than Cook County.

Barrington

Cabrini-Greene.

Get something along the Metra line (within short driving distance and that has good parking at the station) - your house value will always be good and your commute will be easier when you have to go into the city.

Winnetka, Wilmette, Evanston, Kenilworth, Lake Forest on the north shore. Barrington if you want to be a ways out (always reminds me of Great Falls)
Oak Park and Hinsdale west of the city.

Need to know your HHI.

Depends on what you need in terms of "nice". Silver Spring nice, Herndon nice or Bethesda nice? Evanston, Winnetka, Highland Park are Chicago-ese for Chevy Chase, Bethesda and Rockville (in no particular order). Great for families and perfect for occasional trips into Chicago and flying out of O'Hare.

Winnetka

Occasional (once a week at most) commute to downtown area. Access to O'Hare (twice or so a month) is also important.