Barrington, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates.

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.

Friend is raising her sons in a North Shore village and she is incredulous at the intensity of competition among kids and the pressure coming from parents. (FWIW she and her husband are totally conventional preppy types, typical of the area, so I find it notable that it concerns her.)

I like Oak Park but you either take the green line into the city (kind of rough) or have a more limited schedule on Metra. Tighter parking and you need to be careful which area you live in. It borders some rough areas of Chicago.

Anonymous wrote:Would the Western Springs/LaGrange area be a consideration?

-OP

Definitely!!!!

Skokie

Yes, much of the North Shore, particularly those that feed into New Trier, suffers from affluenza. I like the Western burbs (Western Springs, LaGrange, Oak Park, Elmhurst) for a more down to earth feel but equally good schools and nice homes.

Anonymous wrote:Oak Park and Evanston are urban suburbs. They both have el service downtown which is nice. Oak Parks taxes are really high but according to my boss you get your money's worth.

North Shore (Winnetka, Wilmette, Glenview) are country club-like suburbs. Very nice, very expensive, very white. If you are considering them check out New Trier high school and make sure that's what you want.

Western Suburbs - Elmhurst/LaGrange/Western Springs are all nice.

I'm this PP. I live in the city now but am looking at suburbs. My first choice with a $1m budget would be Oak Park. We can't afford that so are looking at LaGrange and Western Springs. Also Park Ridge.

Oak Park and Evanston are urban suburbs. They both have el service downtown which is nice. Oak Parks taxes are really high but according to my boss you get your money's worth.

North Shore (Winnetka, Wilmette, Glenview) are country club-like suburbs. Very nice, very expensive, very white. If you are considering them check out New Trier high school and make sure that's what you want.

Western Suburbs - Elmhurst/LaGrange/Western Springs are all nice.

Any thoughts on Oak Park?

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Yes, it is crazy competitive. But you will find an area that is vastly aesthetically superior to anywhere in Arlington. I'd move to those suburbs in a heartbeat if I could.

Yes, Google Earth-streetviewing some of the neighborhoods (because I'm a dork), they look wonderful!

They are. Some neighborhoods are close to metra, village greens, and all that sort of quaint stuff that dcum folks like.

OP, I used to live in La Grange, in the last 5 years. It is great - an express stop on the metra, really nice downtown that is walkable with a trsder joes, a small local movie theater, hardware store, etc. good schools and plenty of Catholic options. It isn't as prestigious as some of the northern burbs named but it is closer in to downtown and more of a mixed community in terms of SES (if you like that or not). You can get something great there for your money. I highly recommend it.

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.

Yes, it is crazy competitive. But you will find an area that is vastly aesthetically superior to anywhere in Arlington. I'd move to those suburbs in a heartbeat if I could.

Yes, Google Earth-streetviewing some of the neighborhoods (because I'm a dork), they look wonderful!

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.

Yes, it is crazy competitive. But you will find an area that is vastly aesthetically superior to anywhere in Arlington. I'd move to those suburbs in a heartbeat if I could.

Anonymous wrote:

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

Pp here. I think Evanston would be awesome for you then! Lots of older homes...definitely no tract housing as it is an old town. And plus is that it has a great downtown and a lovely beachfront. Lots of parks! If we had not moved to DC, we would have ended up there.

Anonymous wrote:Cabrini-Greene.

Is that coveted?