[heatherdeg]

Okay... so I'm so "over" this whole relocation thing. We need to be out there by late July-ish. We've been focusing on Rockford/Belvidere/Poplar Grove-ish area since January because the housing was less expensive and there were way more great resources for our son than I really imagined in Rockford (great Y, instrumental music program for kids run through the local college, etc.) but finding a place for us just is NOT working out. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"><br><br>
So we're now considering moving to the Evanston-Deerfield-Northbrook-Glenview area. We'd RATHER be in Evanston, but I don't know if we can afford it. We're going to buy a multifamily to help (we've been landlords before, so this isn't a big deal for us) but I don't want to wind up in a bad area (defined as "a place I can't take an evening stroll with dh, ds6yo & ds1yo").<br><br>
Can someone help me? The relo company assigns a realtor and based on the realtors they handed us out here for the home sale (I sell real estate here--I know some of them personally) there is NO. EFFING. WAY I'm trusting them to know these areas. So I need to really direct that relationship.<br><br>
Help... because I am absolutely fried and losing my mind. My family just wants to be out of our house (we close on 6/21, but can rent for 2 months--after that, the storage fees for our stuff are OUTRAGEOUS because it's in the relo company movers storage) and just settled to begin life again.<br><br>
Cannot thank you enough. Seriously.

 

[guerrabug45]

There are areas of Deerfield, Glenview, Northbrook that you wouldn't feel safe in???? I think Evanston can be spotty, especially after the bursted bubble, but the other burbs are pretty low on the crime side. I also think Evanston has way more personality! Good Luck!

 

[Eyelet]

I grew up in Evanston.. Loved living there, with lots of culture and personality. However, of the towns mentioned it is the most expensive and spotty, crime wise. I would avoid anywhere near Howard st. and some areas near the high school.<br><br>
I would give my right arm to still live there, but unfortunately there's no effing way we could afford it.

 

[Greenlea]

I'm glad you are now looking in the Evanston+ areas. Rockford is a poor area and the crime rate is going up. They have a problem with Meth there. This could be why you were finding cheaper housing. I don't know enough about any of the towns you are now looking in, but my Uncle used to live in Evanston and I loved visiting him there. I love the houses there and the downtown area.

 

[Carson]

I've never lived on the 'North Shore' but I'm inclined to agree with the others. I don't think you can go wrong in Deerfield/Northbrook/Glenview - it's extremely nice and I don't think you can go wrong if you can afford it. I think I commented on your previous post, but IMO walking distance to Metra stations is highly desirable! Evanston is quite nice too, but just from passing through, there is a more varied population.

 

[Brownie~]

I think the easiest way to narrow down is how much space do you need and how much can you spend? Northbrook and Deerfield can be really expensive, with houses in the multimillions. I do not think there are too many "multifamily" type dwellings in either, unlike Chicago where it's pretty typical to own a two or three flat and rent out the other units. You may find some in Evanston. Evanston is a lot more "urban" than the other burbs you mentioned, and it is a good 40 minute drive from Northbrook to downtown Evanston, so it's really not at all in the same area as the other three.

 

[maya's mommy]

I live in Deerfield and it is a very safe place. I can't picture a part of it that you would not feel safe taking a stroll in the evening. However, there aren't very many multifamily places here either.<br>
There are lots of places that are walking distance to the metra, the library, parks and shopping but it is very suburban, with mostly singe family homes, townhouses and condos.

 

[mom0810]

I grew up in Deerfield. You can't go wrong with Deerfield/Northbrook/Glenview/Highland Park/ Riverwoods area. Buffalo Grove would be good, too.<br><br>
Evanston would make me nervous. There are good parts and not so great parts. I had family in Evanston growing up and it was different then, very upscale. But now, there are parts that aren't so great. My dh works there sometimes and it's spotty.<br><br>
Walden school in Deerfield is great. I went there, and it's still one of the top schools in the area. We live in the far NW suburbs now, and want to move back to Deerfield or Highland Park soon. Just so much MORE there for the kids, for me... everything's in walking distance... just would love it. There are some reasonably priced, if smaller, homes back by Walden school... Cumnor Ct. area. I have the name of a great realtor if you are interested...<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up"><br><br>
ETA that in Highland Park you could find multi family homes. My grandma lived in one over near Sheridan. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[heatherdeg]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>guerrabug45</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/15384910"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">There are areas of Deerfield, Glenview, Northbrook that you wouldn't feel safe in????</div>
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I said that I didn't want to wind up in a bad area. When you've never been to a place in your life, I think this is a fair concern. If there aren't any, great. This is why I'm posting.<br><br>
That being said, we stayed at the Baymont Inn-Glenview only to be kept up all night by the PIMP (literally--yelled at one of the girls in the room that she'd "lose all the protection all his girls had" if she didn't do as she was told <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/bigeyes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="bigeyes">) in the next room. Seriously. I was absolutely petrified. It's a national chain and we've stayed there in other places. It's not like a crappy hotel.<br><br>
Multifamilies are a must, though, because as you all noted, it's not inexpensive. So now I'm not really sure where to look. We have a great realtor but she's not so great with multifamilies nor knowing market rents. We looked into renting a place, but a 3BR place STARTED at $1900/month and although she said "Glenview" for 3 of them, I think one or two were in "Wilmette"? I don't know.<br><br>
*sigh*<br><br>
I'm really just so fed up that if my house weren't sold, I'd send my husband out there once/month and just stay here.<br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/bawling.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="bawl">

 

[tracymom1]

The suburbs you have mentioned are very affluent - none of them are 'unsafe' with the exception of a few pockets in Evanston. I think the event you described in the hotel room is something more of an anomaly than the norm for Glenview.<br><br>
IMHO, if I were you I would look in Chicago - in particular West Rogers Park, Lincoln Square or Roscoe Village. These neighborhoods are very diverse without being crime-ridden (I certainly would feel safe being out at night alone or with my children in any of them). The housing in the suburbs you are looking at is comparable in price to the 'nicer' neighborhoods in Chicago that I mentioned and you get the benefits of living in a much more progressive area. You could easily find a multi-unit in Chicago.<br><br>
Of course, some people like suburban living and if that is the case than the ones you are looking at are some of the 'best' - ie, most expensive, white, professional, 'fancy' in the Chicagoland area. Not my bag, but I can understand the appeal.<br><br>
My husband is a realtor here so if you have any questions PM me and I can pass them on to him. Good luck with your search!!

 

[mom0810]

Wilmette's lovely, too. I don't think you could go wrong there.<br><br>
And as far as your experience in Glenview... I am shocked and I think as another poster said, that would be a highly unusual occurrence in that area. Are you sure it wasn't kids kidding around? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"> That shocks me and I can understand your hesitation.<br><br>
Anywhere on the North Shore is going to be really nice. Ask your realtor about Highland Park. It's beautiful and near Deerfield and really nice. Also try Buffalo Grove. You could get more for your money there and it's still really close to everything and a really nice area. Or Northbrook. Love Northbrook and the Whole Foods there is like the Mother Ship! It's awesome. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/joy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="joy">

 

[heatherdeg]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>mom0810</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/15397774"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Wilmette's lovely, too. I don't think you could go wrong there.<br><br>
And as far as your experience in Glenview... I am shocked and I think as another poster said, that would be a highly unusual occurrence in that area. Are you sure it wasn't kids kidding around? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"> That shocks me and I can understand your hesitation.<br><br>
Anywhere on the North Shore is going to be really nice. Ask your realtor about Highland Park. It's beautiful and near Deerfield and really nice. Also try Buffalo Grove. You could get more for your money there and it's still really close to everything and a really nice area. Or Northbrook. Love Northbrook and the Whole Foods there is like the Mother Ship! It's awesome. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/joy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="joy"></div>
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Absolutely NOT kids kidding around. There were 3 marked and 1 unmarked cop car there when we returned from dinner, but with no lights flashing--we didn't know what to think until the middle of the night (then the subsequent hours I spent awake listening to all the nonsense).<br><br>
Okay... good to know otherwise, though. Yes--we were told about Buffalo Grove and Deerfield, too. I had never heard of Wilmette... so thanks for that, too.<br><br>
Driving around, it was a lot more like where I am now (and am very comfortable) with the stores I recognize, etc. in these areas... so of course, I was very interested. Thanks for the additional town/neighborhood names! Very overwhelming!!!

 

[Eyelet]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>heatherdeg</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/15395947"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">We looked into renting a place, but a 3BR place STARTED at $1900/month and although she said "Glenview" for 3 of them, I think one or two were in "Wilmette"? I don't know.</div>
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Unfortunately, $1900 sounds about right (even kinda' cheap) for a 3 bedroom in the North Shore. In the 'better' areas of Chicago, it's about average too.<br><br>
The Chicago area is well known for having a very high cost of living... hence, why I ended up in the sticks near the Wisconsin border. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngtongue.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Stick Out Tongue">

 

[mom0810]

Yes, $1900 is super-cheap for the North Shore. Maybe not cheap but very very reasonable. I know people who live in Chicago for twice that for a studio apartment/condo. You could BUY a home in the far north suburbs for less than that.

 

[LEAW]

Where is work going to be? If you or your partner is working in Chicago, you don't want to live in Rockford, etc.

 

[heatherdeg]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>LEAW</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/15420883"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Where is work going to be? If you or your partner is working in Chicago, you don't want to live in Rockford, etc.</div>
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My husband actually works from home full time and has to go into Mettawa about 2-4 times/year. They just don't want employees in NJ anymore. We suspect it has to do with the cost of required health benefits (things they have to cover in NJ by law that aren't required by other states) because they've stripped them back severely every year for the last 3 years.<br><br>
We had a choice: IL, Buffalo, or Vancouver. My husband's boss & co-workers are actually in the UK. We could probably go there, but it would permanent and I don't know if I'm up for that. If it were a 2-year assignment, heck yeah! But of the alternatives, IL seemed like it had way more options.<br><br>
The Rockford area is roughly 1-1/2 hours to Mettawa one-way. When you're doing it 4x/year max, it's not a problem. He does something similar here in NJ.

 

[LEAW]

Ah then you need to decide if you want to live in the city or the suburbs or "out there" (Rockford is a bit further than the suburbs, the north areas like Evanston and Wilmette are still considered suburbs).<br><br>
Access to museums? homeschooling? want land? want space? good public or private schools?<br><br>
We live in the nw suburbs (close to Schaumburg), close enough to take the train or drive to the city for the museums, but far enough away that we're really not close. Rockford is further away from the city than we are.<br><br>
We have a decent set of homeschooling groups, a fun AP group, pretty decent city services (the rec dept has really affordable and decent kids stuff), and a nfl co-op group.

 

[heatherdeg]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>LEAW</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/15423382"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Ah then you need to decide if you want to live in the city or the suburbs or "out there" (Rockford is a bit further than the suburbs, the north areas like Evanston and Wilmette are still considered suburbs).<br><br>
Access to museums? homeschooling? want land? want space? good public or private schools?<br><br>
We live in the nw suburbs (close to Schaumburg), close enough to take the train or drive to the city for the museums, but far enough away that we're really not close. Rockford is further away from the city than we are.<br><br>
We have a decent set of homeschooling groups, a fun AP group, pretty decent city services (the rec dept has really affordable and decent kids stuff), and a nfl co-op group.</div>
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<br>
You're right. The thing is, once I decide what I really want, it looks like there's a million places to get it. And I can compromise--making it harder.<br><br>
Ideally? Really active HMN chapter, 30 mins or less to Whole Foods, kick-ass library system (like a great collection, great kids stuff--maybe even activities like they have here, able to reserve online from within the system to pick up at local branch), SOMEthing cool for the kids REALLY close (like here we have a small nature museum for the kids on a "reservation" and they also run very low-cost but awesome classes for the kids and family events, etc.) and then access to the really great stuff that might be further away like the big museums, planetarium, etc. YMCA with well-rounded offerings ideal (I was stunned that Rockford's had so much more than Belvidere).<br><br>
Homeschool activities (seriously--a weekly park/play gathering is enough for me) would be ideal.<br><br>
Foreign language classes and music lessons would be nice, but not critical. We had an arts class here, too. But these are definitely things I would live without.<br><br>
My husband has co-workers in Lakemoor, Tinley Park and Plainfield. Everyone, of course, is lobbying for their areas. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/eyesroll.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="roll"> It's really frustrating.

 

[LEAW]

Ok so I'll just add to your confusion then <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1"><br><br>
I don't know much about the south burbs or the north shore area, but there is a hmn group that is VERY active (big meetings) in Warrenville. There is another in Schaumburg, but I like the Warrenville one better.<br><br>
For homeschooling lessons - <a href="http://www.thelearningvine.org/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.thelearningvine.org/index.html</a> in naperville and <a href="http://www.gifthomeschool.org/" target="_blank">http://www.gifthomeschool.org/</a> in elgin have excellent reviews, we're going to get involved with GIFT this year for music.<br><br>
There are homeschool groups just about everywhere here, I've been really impressed with that. some do have a religious lean, but the HOUSE groups don't, and we've started an AP homeschool group in dupage county for the kids who have out-aged the AP playgroups since those are more toddler/prek oriented.<br><br>
There is a holistic learners homeschool group on the west side of the county (centered in west chicago, but with members as far east as 355 and as far west as farmland) and more. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
I'm a recent relocation myself, we were in Ohio until late 2006, spent a year living in the downtown Chicago area, and we live in the west suburbs now. I really love the AP group here and am just getting my toes wet with the homeschooling folks, though I tend to stick to the groups that overlap the AP group, and the only contact we've had with any religious groups are the 2 coops I linked above.

 

[LEAW]

Oh and we have a pretty awesome gluten free store out here. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1"><br><br>
(We're dairy, soy, peanut free, with occasional gluten free stints.)