Moving to Chicago w/3 kids - where to live

[Mummybear888]

Hello,
Can anyone recommend where to live in Chicago?
Looking for somewhere that has great private schools, safe, family friendly, nice shops, restaurants and parks. Ideally no more than 30 mins commute from the loop! Have 3 kids 6 years old and under.

Thanks in advance!

[Mummybear888]

Ideally on the North side of Chicago too!

[mathanxiety]

Why private schools? What sort of private schools are you thinking about?

Your best bet for the criteria you state are Evanston and Skokie, though there are neighbourhoods on the N side of Chicago proper which are nice, like Sauganash/Forest Glen.

If you care to venture west of the loop, Oak Park and River Forest have metra and El links to the loop in about 30-45 mins. By car, travel times can vary depending on traffic.

[mathanxiety]

*The metra takes about 20 mins from the River Forest stop to Union station.

[mathanxiety]

@Mummybear888

Bump

[ZZTopGuitarSolo]

How much money will you have?

Evanston is lovely - no idea about schools. 20 year old DD lives there and I have no worries about her safety.

[Mummybear888]

Thank you everyone - all very useful!

Our house budget is roughly $1.5 million.

Is Evanston easily accessible to the loop? Can I take the el or metra to the loop from Evanston?
Also, how are the public and private schools in Evanston? If there was a highly rated public school there, I will definitely consider it!

[IrishMumInLondon2020]

Glen Ellen is gorgeous. So family oriented with brilliant schools and a lovely downtown.

[IrishMumInLondon2020]

Glen Ellyn I should say

[BritInUS1]

If you're on FB join the group Two Fat Expats - brilliant, friendly group that will be able to help with this

[mathanxiety]

Evanston public schools (and public services like parks and libraries) are very good. Access to the Loop is excellent, thanks to El and Metra.

River Forest public schools are excellent. Metra and El links to downtown.

You might try Wilmette too, north of Evanston, with your budget. Great public schools and public facilities.

[mathanxiety]

Wilmette has metra access to downtown.

[SherryPalmer]

We lived in Lincoln Park and it has (although this was about 6 years ago) one of the best rated public primaries without having to go out to the suburbs from what other parents said. Lots of private options too (our kids went to the Nord Anglia international primary school). It’s definitely within your 30min commute time (and I’m not sure a lot of the other suggestions here are). You’re trading location off against safety and affordability though. We didn’t have any issues whilst we were there but in any of the urban parts of Chicago you are never very far from some dodgy areas.

[Mummybear888]

Thank you everyone, this is all very helpful!

I will defo check out Two Fat Expats on Facebook.

Glen Ellyn, Evanston, Lincoln Park sound really great. I will definitely research Wilmette. First time this place has been recommended to me.

Thank you so much again! Always great to get people's opinions. Going to be a big move with 3 kids in tow!

[ZZTopGuitarSolo]

I moved to the US with three kids 6 and under. It was a great move for us. They’re now 20 and under :-)

Good luck!

[mathanxiety]

Wilmette is the most northerly stop on the Purple line of the EL.

[lighterskies]

Usually people don't use or

[lighterskies]

Sorry got distracted.
It is more normal to use public schools if you are living in the suburbs.
This is the advice we got moving to Chicago and it seems accurate.

Lincoln Park is a lovely family area that is part of Chicago but is is pretty pricey.
The suburbs all seem to start with W!
We looked at Evanston but decided it had a little too much of a university town feel for us.

We used relocating agents and looked at both the suburbs and Chicago itself.

We ended up in Lakeview/Roscoe Village which we have been happy with.

Private schools are pretty over subscribed since the pandemic. There is as has been mentioned the British International school (nord anglia)

Also listen to Math Anxiety ( she was really supportive when we moved out here five years ago)

[Mummybear888]

Wow you Mumsnetters are awesome - so much useful information here!

As @SherryPalmer mentioned location is being traded off with safety and affordability - so true.

I would like my husband to have a short commute (ideally no more than 30 mins door to door - working near Lower Wacker drive in the Loop) but at the same time I want to live in a safe, family friendly neighbourhood. Safety really is my number 1 priority and I don't want to live near any dodgy areas if I can avoid them! (Doesn't help that my Mum (who lives in the UK) keeps sending me articles of all the crime that is happening in Chicago 🤦🏻‍♀️!)

I'm going to keep researching and looking for homes in all of the areas you helpful mummies have mentioned.

[BlauVogel]

I moved to chicago last year and am still looking for the right house in right neighbourhood to come up. The housing market here is really crazy and the prices ve shot up close to 30-40% in just last 2-3 years. Not a good time to be on the housing market here.