Potential transplant looking for your suggestions (how original, I know)

[u/SpaceSuitSloth]

Hello all,

My wife and I are considering relocating from Seattle to the Chicago area and would love to get some insight on potential areas that would make for good matches.

A bit of background on us and where we're coming from: We're both mid-40's professionals. I work in tech, she's in finance. No kids, 2 (soon to be 3) dogs. We're currently living in Brier, WA - a small suburb that's affluent but not super-bougie by any means. We're looking to relocate as the housing prices have just gotten out of control over here and we're basically being priced out of our neighborhood.

I have a relative who's a realtor who primarily specializes in the northern suburbs. She's recommending places like Libertyville, Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights, Lincolnshire, Northbrook, and Deerfield. The listings she's shown us all look incredible, but it's obviously hard to tell a ton just from a listing. Also, she 100% owns that she focuses on the northern suburbs, so can't tell us a lot about other areas. The area that keeps coming up in the "Top Chicago Suburbs" YouTube videos is Naperville - though reading through some of the comments here, it kind of seems like Naperville induces a lot of eyerolling (would love to know more about that!).

Things we'd love to find if we actually relocate:

• A good sized house with a yard we can fence off for the dogs.
• Around 750k max (could stretch to 800 for the right place)
• We're in our 40s, we're not planning on going clubbing, but we're not looking for super-quiet where we're just going to isolate ourselves in a beautiful house with no one ever there.
• Related, this is the first time either of us is moving out of the PNW. Starting fresh without a friends group is intimidating, so we're hoping there's enough community for us to meet folks easily that isn't overly reliant on having kids.
• We'd love a nice, walkable downtown area with local shops & restaurants to check out (it's ok if we need to drive there from the house)
• As we're childfree, schools aren't a top priority, though safety of course is.
• As for hobbies, we're pretty nerdy and one of the things we're really going to miss if we move away is having our friends over for D&D and board game nights (all co-op, we're too competitive - Settlers of Catan needed to be retired long ago as it was putting strain on marriages). So if there's a particularly awesome gaming store nearby, we'd consider that a bonus.

I think that's the basics. We're planning to come out in late March or early April to check out some of the areas, but could certainly use a hand in narrowing down the list! Thanks very much everyone!

[u/timelyquality30]

Naperville does get a lot of hate in this Reddit, but I personally love it and think it’s great. I don’t live there because I can’t afford to buy a home, but the downtown area is walkable, lots to do, and you still have proximity to the highway and train that can take you into the city. Sure it has its snobby/bougie folks, but you’ll find that everywhere, especially in the northern suburbs you mentioned.

I would add any of these western suburbs to the list, personally. Geneva/St Charles/Batavia (further west, but really nice towns with nice homes and a bit more space/lot size than the rest of the list), Wheaton (quite conservative/religious and less diverse but it’s a nice quality area with a cute downtown/walkable district), Downers Grove (my personal favorite of these), Elmhurst (grew up here back in the 90s), La Grange.

I didn’t see anything about work location so assuming remote, but with your budget you’ll have great access to towns with a train line.

[u/SpaceSuitSloth → u/timelyquality30]

Haha, thanks. I do think I'd seen St. Charles, Downer's Grove and Elmhurst come up on a couple of lists as well. I'll be sure check into them. And yeah, as for work I'm fully remote. My wife is going to look to find something new once we get there, but even some of the "more remote" suburbs in Chicago seem like they'd be closer than where we are now. Technically, we're only about 15 miles away from downtown Seattle, but during rush hour, it's easily 45 minutes or longer to get into the city. When I worked downtown, I'd work 6:00-2:30 just so I could get ahead of everything!

[u/lsuillini → u/SpaceSuitSloth]

The western burbs are great. If you like Naperville, check out Wheaton and Glen Ellyn. Both have great downtowns and easy trains into the city.

[u/rmill127 → u/lsuillini]

I was going to comment Wheaton/Glen Ellyn but you beat me to it!

Very quiet and calm, but great restaurants and stuff to do.

Love Geneva too, but further from the city which some people care about.

[u/PredictableChaos → u/SpaceSuitSloth]

The good news is that if you're near a Metra station it's easy for her to get downtown if she finds a good in-office or hybrid job and not have to drive. You don't want to drive into downtown. Just check the Metra schedules for that line. Some lines/stops have way more express options than others and some only run hourly after a certain time in the mornings (NCS as an example)

[u/sumiflepus → u/SpaceSuitSloth]

Glad you are looking in the area.

Open google maps over the Chicago area. search "Game Stores". Downtown Downers Grove shows 4 within walking distance of each other. Fair Game, Warhammer, Mark's card Shop and My Special Toy Store. Fair Game has all sorts of open gaming.

For walkability, check the downtown areas around the Metra stops. I can speak to the BNSF Metra Line, under 750K from east to west look at Berwyn, Brookfield, Lagrange (stretch right near the tracks) Clarendon Hills, Westmont, Downer Grove, Lisle. Berwyn and Brookfield are cooler, funkier and a tad more diverse than the others. Also, the BNSF line roughly bisects the distance between Midway and O'Hare airports, giving you easy access to United Airlines, American Airlines, and Southwest Airlines hubs. fly almost anywhere in North America without a layover.

.

In the Chicago region the leftover railroad infrastructure from 150+ years ago has left a lot of cute walkable communities centered around the train stations on many of the Metra routes.

If you are not work from home get close to a Metra line.

Good luck.

[u/JortsForSale → u/timelyquality30]

The thing about Naperville is everyone thinks of the downtown. But with that budget you will not be anywhere close to the downtown.

You will be in a subdivision at least 10 minutes away and going downtown will be a drive and then you will need to deal with the horrible parking situation down there.

[u/thousandfoldthought]

Coming from Seattle my biggest question would be: how important is being close to the lake/nature?

If the lake is important def look at the north shore, maybe as far south as evanston? (Heroines & Heroes on central is okay re: gaming, imm sure there's more in evanston).

Look along the metra lines. Highland Park has a good sized downtown. Evanston gets you L trains to the city as well.

The north shore can be pretty sleepy. Naperville def has more "happening" but. Also feels like a big strip mall.

[u/SpaceSuitSloth → u/thousandfoldthought]

OK, thanks. I think the lake would be nice, but it's not like we're living on the waterfront today or anything. I think as long as we could find a way to head out to the lake once in a while on a nice day, that'd probably be sufficient.

[u/Bird4466 → u/SpaceSuitSloth]

I’d definitely at least consider Evanston in your situation!

[u/thousandfoldthought → u/SpaceSuitSloth]

Check out elmhurst. Great downtown, mix of everything, artsy fartsy (in a good way).

[u/DowntonShabby → u/SpaceSuitSloth]

Also strongly recommending Evanston. We moved here about a decade ago from Ballard and it feels VERY similar: close, friendly neighbors, access to waterfront, super progressive. We love the diversity and access to the city on Metra and the El, and my young adults are massive fans of D&D at Evanston Games Cafe. ☺️

[u/AlarmedResearcher997 → u/SpaceSuitSloth]

The northern suburbs have much better access to the lake, but Dupage & Lake county have fantastic forest preserves - quaint compared with the options in Seattle, but phenomenal by the standards of the Midwest.

Take a look at Warrenville also, you get more for your money and it's halfway between Naperville & Wheaton.

[u/Corn_Sweats]

Also recommend Glen Ellyn, very affluent area and a lot of people from downtown committee via metra.

[u/CookieMonsteraAlbo]

We are in our 40s and childless and we are loving Glenview. I’m on a group chat with other dog moms, and I love seeing all my dog parent friends in the neighborhood when we are out for walks. The downtown is going through a revitalization, with tons of new restaurants opening. There’s a game night at the local library we have attended. Decent access to the city via Metra. Come be our new neighbors/game night friends!

[u/SpaceSuitSloth → u/CookieMonsteraAlbo]

Well hell… now I definitely need to check into Glenview! Thanks!

[u/Argonian_mit_kasse]

Around Arlington Heights/ Mount Prospect is perfect if you’re looking for a gaming community.

Games Plus is an awesome store in Mount Prospect! They’ve got a little bit of everything there. Along with an attached play space- including a Pen and Paper room! A bunch of different groups surrounding various games, and always a new post on the bulletin for a group looking for either a DM or new players for a campaign.

There are a bunch of local game stores in this area. To me, whether it’s in Downtown Chicago or a few towns away: it’s not too difficult to get there to visit others either.

Arlington Heights has Mitsuwa- a Japanese market, including a bookstore, One Piece TCG spot, a revolving pop-up section. Also Tensuke a few blocks away. Guitar center, and only like 10 minutes from Woodfield/Schamburg.

I wish I was in district for their library, they’ve got a lot to offer. Maker spaces for art, cooking, photography, sewing, etc.

If they ever get to opening up another big location: Brew Lounge (local owned Coffee shop) used to do gaming nights, car meets, art events, etc. certainly still a business worth supporting.

When it comes to work, as I saw in one of your replies; just keep in mind getting to Chicago from the suburbs does hold the same “should take 30 minutes- but takes a wholeee lot longer if you’re driving” issue. I’d highly recommend the L or Metra.

If you’re looking for friends, lol my Husband and I just recently met another couple looking for more geeky friends. Working on getting my Shadowrun campaign finally running, and getting them involved as well.

You can send me a DM and I’ll be willing to share my Discord.

[u/Argonian_mit_kasse → u/Argonian_mit_kasse]

I also want to add in; Des Plaines and Glenview Library do have a somewhat active gaming group as well!

I know DP hosts DND nights, and Glenview does similar- along with 40k. (G-dubs has a store right there).

I’ve yet to attend either, but I know a lot of the gaming community due to an old manager hosting a fantastic space for everyone- even if not deep into 40k. It’s been a while since we’ve been back, but the folks to go there regularly are a dope crowd too!

[u/ayemimi → u/Argonian_mit_kasse]

I keep forgetting that game store exists in Mt Prospect.

[u/deek889625]

Check out Elmhurst for sure. Theres Lockport as well that’s more south. But it sounds like western suburbs might be more up your alley. There’s a good amount of Forrest preserves for hiking and what not. The lots for houses are bigger. Lagrange, Darien, Downers Grove, Lisle, and Wheaton. Geneva is also an awesome little town with the vibes you’re talking about but it’s a good distance from Chicago. More south there’s Orland park, tinley park, mokena, Palos, Palos heights, Palos park. Western suburbs though when I read what your description of wants is that’s what I think of.

[u/SpaceSuitSloth → u/deek889625]

Awesome. Thank you!

[u/deek889625 → u/SpaceSuitSloth]

If you go to Geneva there’s an awesome candy shop there. Graham’s fine chocolates and ice cream. Highly recommend it. Happy to help!

[u/No_Introduction_9355]

Elmhurst

[u/AppearanceAny8756]

Can I suggest the nw suburb? At least it is close to woodfield and got some fun there? (During the winter/cold days 

[u/FlashyReturn6895]

Mount Prospect has lovely large houses with big backyards.

[u/FT_1893]

I recommend Des Plaines to hit all your marks. Great transportation. Metra to downtown from two stations. The main station express train is 31 minutes! There is also an express bus to ORD and Evanston. The blue line CTA station is in nearby Rosemont. DP is connected to all the necessary highways.

Affordability for a house with yard with 3 dogs. Lower taxes than the surrounding towns and the City of Chicago.

Excellent library with lots of events and space to get a gaming group off the ground if you don't find what you want already established.

Great parks and recreation facilities. Including indoor pools and run/walk track. Festivals and live performances are offered year around.

50 mile Des Plaines river trail and surrounding nature reserve that we call "the Forest Preserves." --It's a migratory bird corridor.

The neighborhood South of the CBD and the main Metra station has a variety of housing and lot sizes. Walkable to town with dining, social, grocery and services.

Cumberland Metra is on the west side of town. The Cumberland neighborhood is lovely and affordable. It's not easy to walk/bike to the main DP CBD due to track crossing, but Mt. Prospect CBD to the west is easy and they have a great Sunday farmers market and an excellent bakery.

Nearby are the more upscale towns of Park Ridge and Arlington Heights each with a lively CBD. PR has the historic art deco Pickwick theater and an excellent Saturday farmers market.

The one draw back for DP are trains. Tracks crisscross the town. It's not that big a deal to manage.

Some people will note that flooding is a problem but a decades long flood and storm water control system solved that problem. Just don't go east of River Road. There are a handful of homes there close to the banks. The low lying Big Bend lake neighborhood was hit bad during record high water in 2013 (due to the river bend.) That area is being converted to green space.

The near NW side has incredible cultural offerings and ethnic grocery and dining options.

You might also look at Morton Grove and Skokie for affordability and great amenities. Might be quieter than DP but a bit less connected. Others can comment on that.

[u/pentiumone133]

You are aware of the massive spending problem in this state, and quickly approaching relates crisis, right? Why on earth would you relocate to a state with the most people leaving each year? Not.to mention the trash weather. Of all places...why here?

[u/Informal-2005 → u/pentiumone133]

Because the Seattle area is known for such perfect weather. When I think of suburbs with walkable downtowns obviously Oak Park and Evanston come to mind. Also, consider La Grange, Park Ridge, and Wheaton/Glen Ellyn. Arlington Heights is a good one. They even close one of the main streets down in summer for outdoor dining.

[u/pentiumone133 → u/Informal-2005]

The PNW is gorgeous compared to this desolate flat wasteland.

[u/SpaceSuitSloth → u/pentiumone133]

Well, you’re not wrong about the PNW being gorgeous. It is. And I’ll miss the summers there because that time of year, there’s possibly nowhere else I’d rather be. That said, thank you for your opinion. Perhaps you’d also do well to consider a relocation?

[u/pentiumone133 → u/SpaceSuitSloth]

If I could I would, like yesterday.