Pleasant, quiet, boring North or West suburb (Naperville, Skokie: homes, good schools)

[ShampooBanana]

Originally Posted by ChiGuy2.5

I would recommend you look into Elmhurst. Very similar vibes to naperville and similar demographics but a bit more diverse. The major benefit to Elmhurst is that it's much closer to downtown and the urban center. Great schools too!

I can second it's a great town. I grew up there and my sister still lives there. Still have many friends that left after high school and moved back eventually to raise a family. It is a little pricier than Naperville for a same sized home (and homes will generally be older, though most have been updated), but that's precisely because it's closer in to the city. Also, you have a great downtown, top notch library/parks/art museum, access to the Metra train, excellent schools, and easy access to almost anywhere in the area via 290, 294, and Rt. 83. Upscale shopping is just to the south at Oakbrook Center, and plenty more along 22nd St or within Elmhurst itself.

[Sunbiz1]

Originally Posted by ChiGuy2.5

I would recommend you look into Elmhurst. Very similar vibes to naperville and similar demographics but a bit more diverse. The major benefit to Elmhurst is that it's much closer to downtown and the urban center. Great schools too!

Only drawback, air traffic noise.

[fusillirob1983]

Originally Posted by ShampooBanana

I can second it's a great town. I grew up there and my sister still lives there. Still have many friends that left after high school and moved back eventually to raise a family. It is a little pricier than Naperville for a same sized home (and homes will generally be older, though most have been updated), but that's precisely because it's closer in to the city. Also, you have a great downtown, top notch library/parks/art museum, access to the Metra train, excellent schools, and easy access to almost anywhere in the area via 290, 294, and Rt. 83. Upscale shopping is just to the south at Oakbrook Center, and plenty more along 22nd St or within Elmhurst itself.

I think they'll struggle to find 4br 3ba in Elmhurst in their price range that don't need a bit of work.

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by ChiGuy2.5

I would recommend you look into Elmhurst. Very similar vibes to naperville and similar demographics but a bit more diverse. The major benefit to Elmhurst is that it's much closer to downtown and the urban center. Great schools too!

Elmhurst is in no way more diverse than Naperville. Naperville is one of the most racially diverse communities in the metropolitan area. It is one of the most populous municipalities in the entire state, and it attracts a variety of people.

[ShampooBanana]

Originally Posted by Sunbiz1

Only drawback, air traffic noise.

Depends on what part you're in. The further north in Elmhurst you go the more air traffic noise you'll deal with as you're closer to O'Hare. My sis lives in the far south part of Elmhurst near Spring and Butterfield Roads and you barely notice the noise.

[ShampooBanana]

Originally Posted by fusillirob1983

I think they'll struggle to find 4br 3ba in Elmhurst in their price range that don't need a bit of work.

I found about 5 currently listed on Zillow that might fit their criteria (though a couple had 2 baths). Not a lot but there's not a ton of inventory out there period right now (current market plus this time of year).

[fusillirob1983]

Originally Posted by ShampooBanana

I found about 5 currently listed on Zillow that might fit their criteria (though a couple had 2 baths). Not a lot but there's not a ton of inventory out there period right now (current market plus this time of year).

If I search their price range (actually went down to $450k even) and I look for 4br 3 ba I find nothing. If I expand to 2 bath there's two houses.

[ShampooBanana]

Originally Posted by fusillirob1983

If I search their price range (actually went down to $450k even) and I look for 4br 3 ba I find nothing. If I expand to 2 bath there's two houses.

I searched for $400k to $650k and on Zillow for up to 6 months. There were a few in the low $600s, so just above their price point, which in today's market they could probably negotiate down to $600k (and there was one at $449k).

[fusillirob1983]

Originally Posted by ShampooBanana

I searched for $400k to $650k and on Zillow for up to 6 months. There were a few in the low $600s, so just above their price point, which in today's market they could probably negotiate down to $600k (and there was one at $449k).

Fair enough. I disregarded some of these based on the OP's parameters. The house on Edgewood for $629k is a single story ranch and only 2 baths. The house on Riverside for $609k might as well be in Villa Park because it feeds into Villa Park schools. Villa Park is quiet and boring, but there's clearly a step down in schools compared to the Elmhurst district. The $449k house on Virginia looks to be about as close to O'Hare as possible while still being in Elmhurst.

[CamThomas]

Naperville homes look a lot better than Edgewood, dollar for dollar