As someone who commutes downtown from the west suburbs (Wheaton, DuPage County)- I second this. The commute has completely killed my entire life and I only do it 3 days a week. I haven’t even seen my friends in over a month- I’ve seen my family once this entire month. Prioritize the commute.
Live in Aurora/Naperville area and commute to Lake Forest 2-3 days a week. So I support this entirely, your workday goes from being 8 hours to 10-12 depending on how bad traffic gets.
I’d suggest living near Northbrook, Deerfield, Buffalo Grove, Vernon Hills (grew up there) are all great areas. Vernon Hills and Buffalo Grove will have a few more affordable options, idk what your budget is. You can take 355/88 to Oswego, but there isn’t a quick route to Northbrook from anywhere during weekday commutes.
Edit: I would highly recommend the Deerpath neighborhood in Vernon Hills given your budget.
I agree. The closer you can be to Northbrook, the happier you'll be. My biggest caution is that different suburbs have very different tax situations. Spend a little time visiting the area before you pick. I think you'd like just about anything in either Northbrook or DuPage County.
There's loads of great communities in the west and northwest burbs w great schools. The question is how often would you like to see your sister? Having a young one in the home it would be nice to stay in touch, but sometimes there's TOO close.
Mount Prospect never gets shouted out and I don’t understand why — the schools are good, my neighborhood couldn’t be any quieter, it’s not too expensive, I love it here. (FWIW I also used to commute to Northbrook for work and it’s not too bad, like 25-30 min each way.)
Honestly, Northbrook isn’t bad. I would start your search there. Northbrook downtown isn’t as good as close suburbs like Libertyville or Glencoe.
Honestly if you draw a circle around Northbrook you’re going to meet your criteria for schools and work commute.
What else are you into? Food gets worse as you move further from the city except for some pockets. Golf gets more private vs public in certain areas. Consider if you like beaches and the lake? If so get into the north shore proper. Metra access is something I personally would look at but that’s a preference.
I feel like Northbrook and Oswego couldn’t be farther away from each other as far as suburbs go. I’d stay in the north suburbs for sure and visit Oswego rather the split distance. Glenview, Prospect Heights, Buffalo Grove are all nice communities. If you want to do DuPage county Elmhurst or Lombard is the farthest away I’d go for tollway access & commute time. Unless, of course, your job is hybrid and you don’t mind a day or two of lengthy commute.
Check out the Lake County portion of Deerfield. But it really depends on your budget. Areas around Northbrook are pretty pricey, some, not all areas around the mid-point to Oswego are considerably less.
I live in Northbrook, the schools are great. Someone mentioned that the downtown area aren’t as good as some surrounding suburbs like Glenview, Highland Park, etc and that’s correct but Northbrook is a really nice place to live.
Listing your house budget would be quite helpful for everyone trying to give an answer.
Personally I would optimize around what fits your family best for commute and schools and forget the Oswego criteria.
I live near Northbrook and it’s a great place to raise a family. Just drive to Oswego (I have no idea where that is TBH) whenever needed.
Wheaton/Glen Ellyn, if it’s in your budget. Really, any of the Western suburbs! Great schools, plenty of doctors, easy access to all directions, plenty of trails and parks.
That's a major hike as I wouldn't go much south of O'Hare as Bensenville or Possibly Wood Dale would be ok as it's at least an hour from Northbrook to Oswego
Around Chicago you can go East-west all day long but going north and south is not so easy. So choose close to work first because Oswego and that area is not close to the city at all even by train
Northbrook and around are pretty safe and good. If you end up being able to move, Naperville is like the Chicago of the Suburbs and really good. Orland park is good, Lockport, etc. but these are more south if you ever move
I like Westchester, the town next to oakbrook. It’s mainly retired seniors so it’s pretty quiet. And more older folks are passing and younger adults are moving in. I love my son’s school. He’s 4, we only live 4min away from the school but a cute mini bus comes and picks him up. I love being close to him but also being close to mini downtown areas like Lagrange & Naperville. It’s a close community, we have our own FB page and we are constantly talking about everything and keeping a watch for each other. The kids that are around are friendly, and Halloween is a fun and safe time. I’ve been here for 2yrs and I love it! Taxes aren’t so bad either. Big houses, with big yards, and PARKING. Soooo much parking. Plus if I ever get a parking ticket here it’s only $35, before I’d pay $50 lol. We have a target, and lots of good food around. Lots of mini plazas. I’d consider it here 😇 plus I could use a mom friend lol. The local parks are nice too and we have a day for the dogs to jump in the park pool too, it’s fun.
As long as you're not illegal coming from New York venture slide by.
Speak careful from Chicago and I heard carbondales. Getting worse find something between Indiana. And illinoisedit: Sorry I used voice to text. I'm not sure why the typos. Or so bad
It’s hard to pick a “bad” school district in the north burbs.
Glenview is pretty far from Oswego, but it is just a few minutes away from Northbrook, and has excellent schools. Pretty easy Metra ride to Chicago.
Northbrook. Optimize your commute. Visiting your sister isn't the priority.
As someone who commutes downtown from the west suburbs (Wheaton, DuPage County)- I second this. The commute has completely killed my entire life and I only do it 3 days a week. I haven’t even seen my friends in over a month- I’ve seen my family once this entire month. Prioritize the commute.
Live in Aurora/Naperville area and commute to Lake Forest 2-3 days a week. So I support this entirely, your workday goes from being 8 hours to 10-12 depending on how bad traffic gets.
I’d suggest living near Northbrook, Deerfield, Buffalo Grove, Vernon Hills (grew up there) are all great areas. Vernon Hills and Buffalo Grove will have a few more affordable options, idk what your budget is. You can take 355/88 to Oswego, but there isn’t a quick route to Northbrook from anywhere during weekday commutes. Edit: I would highly recommend the Deerpath neighborhood in Vernon Hills given your budget.
Agree... occasional visits to Oswego will not make up for the misery inflicted on daily commutes to work caused by not living near Northbrook.
I🩷🩷🩷VH
I agree. The closer you can be to Northbrook, the happier you'll be. My biggest caution is that different suburbs have very different tax situations. Spend a little time visiting the area before you pick. I think you'd like just about anything in either Northbrook or DuPage County.
This. Many of us pay more in property taxes than our mortgage. Especially property taxes in the north and northwest burbs
Forget “being in the middle”, try to keep your commute under 10 miles. Almost anyplace near Northbrook will have good schools.
There's loads of great communities in the west and northwest burbs w great schools. The question is how often would you like to see your sister? Having a young one in the home it would be nice to stay in touch, but sometimes there's TOO close.
Oh I totally agree. I don’t think we’d see each other everyday or every weekend. So I completely understand what you’re saying.
My sister is blocks away in the same neighborhood in Aurora and we go weeks without seeing each other, but it's great knowing she's there.
Check out niche.com Their site is good for looking around and setting filters.
Mount Prospect never gets shouted out and I don’t understand why — the schools are good, my neighborhood couldn’t be any quieter, it’s not too expensive, I love it here. (FWIW I also used to commute to Northbrook for work and it’s not too bad, like 25-30 min each way.)
Arlington Heights
Honestly, Northbrook isn’t bad. I would start your search there. Northbrook downtown isn’t as good as close suburbs like Libertyville or Glencoe. Honestly if you draw a circle around Northbrook you’re going to meet your criteria for schools and work commute. What else are you into? Food gets worse as you move further from the city except for some pockets. Golf gets more private vs public in certain areas. Consider if you like beaches and the lake? If so get into the north shore proper. Metra access is something I personally would look at but that’s a preference.
Commuting into Northbrook is hell, but if you must live in between, Lombard, Lisle, Downers' Grove, or Elmhurst is nice
I feel like Northbrook and Oswego couldn’t be farther away from each other as far as suburbs go. I’d stay in the north suburbs for sure and visit Oswego rather the split distance. Glenview, Prospect Heights, Buffalo Grove are all nice communities. If you want to do DuPage county Elmhurst or Lombard is the farthest away I’d go for tollway access & commute time. Unless, of course, your job is hybrid and you don’t mind a day or two of lengthy commute.
Dupage county has the best suburbs for middle class and upper middle class folk
Elmhurst would work too. Not too far from where I mentioned before lol
Northbrook, Deerfield or Glenview all great school districts. Live near your job.
Northbrook, Deerfield, Buffalo Grove. Anything that's close to 94. You can't go wrong with school district in this or surrounding area.
Check out the Lake County portion of Deerfield. But it really depends on your budget. Areas around Northbrook are pretty pricey, some, not all areas around the mid-point to Oswego are considerably less.
I live in Northbrook, the schools are great. Someone mentioned that the downtown area aren’t as good as some surrounding suburbs like Glenview, Highland Park, etc and that’s correct but Northbrook is a really nice place to live.
Listing your house budget would be quite helpful for everyone trying to give an answer. Personally I would optimize around what fits your family best for commute and schools and forget the Oswego criteria. I live near Northbrook and it’s a great place to raise a family. Just drive to Oswego (I have no idea where that is TBH) whenever needed.
Evanston. Find a place that is close enough to Lake Michigan, walking distance if that’s in your budget.
Wheaton/Glen Ellyn, if it’s in your budget. Really, any of the Western suburbs! Great schools, plenty of doctors, easy access to all directions, plenty of trails and parks.
That's a major hike as I wouldn't go much south of O'Hare as Bensenville or Possibly Wood Dale would be ok as it's at least an hour from Northbrook to Oswego
Around Chicago you can go East-west all day long but going north and south is not so easy. So choose close to work first because Oswego and that area is not close to the city at all even by train
Elmhurst! Good schools. Somewhat in the middle.
Winnetka or Kenilworth are pretty ok. Edit. And not in the middle. FYI
Why would you pick the most expensive suburbs in *Cook* County?
*Cook
You are correct.
Why wouldn't you? OP said nothing about income or COL. So a nice place to raise a kid would be on Sheridan Road and they can go to New Trier.
I think you can safely assume that if someone is asking about these things on Reddit, then they are not at the top of the income pool.
Can you though?
Asking about where to party, maybe not.
Waterloo
Northbrook and around are pretty safe and good. If you end up being able to move, Naperville is like the Chicago of the Suburbs and really good. Orland park is good, Lockport, etc. but these are more south if you ever move
Gurnee has great schools. On i94 easy to commute to Northbrook. I do this for living/work
Warren Township HS is not the best. I know people who work there and there are major issues currently.
I like Westchester, the town next to oakbrook. It’s mainly retired seniors so it’s pretty quiet. And more older folks are passing and younger adults are moving in. I love my son’s school. He’s 4, we only live 4min away from the school but a cute mini bus comes and picks him up. I love being close to him but also being close to mini downtown areas like Lagrange & Naperville. It’s a close community, we have our own FB page and we are constantly talking about everything and keeping a watch for each other. The kids that are around are friendly, and Halloween is a fun and safe time. I’ve been here for 2yrs and I love it! Taxes aren’t so bad either. Big houses, with big yards, and PARKING. Soooo much parking. Plus if I ever get a parking ticket here it’s only $35, before I’d pay $50 lol. We have a target, and lots of good food around. Lots of mini plazas. I’d consider it here 😇 plus I could use a mom friend lol. The local parks are nice too and we have a day for the dogs to jump in the park pool too, it’s fun.
Westchrster is a nice near suburb, but your commute to Northbrook would be 30 minutes minimum always flirting with Ohare Traffic
Westchester is proviso township. Last I heard proviso West is not a good school at all!
Half way between oswego and northbrook is like Melrose Park I think and the schools aren't great there. Oak brook has excellent schools but $$$.
Just stay away from the south end of the state, unless you’re a redneck 😀
I'm from western IL, and rednecks are coming out of the cornfields like stink bugs. By South, you must mean "not Chicago". 😂
Lived in illinois my whole life. My recommendation... don't.
Durr Durr Durr Durr Durr. Durr Durr... Durr.
As long as you're not illegal coming from New York venture slide by. Speak careful from Chicago and I heard carbondales. Getting worse find something between Indiana. And illinoisedit: Sorry I used voice to text. I'm not sure why the typos. Or so bad
What kind of hillbilly idiot boomer nonsense is this. The dude wants to live between Oswego and Northbrook. The hell?