Moving to Chicago - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

sapiens · 07-16-2009, 12:55 PM

So, I'm moving to Chicago.

I will be working near the intersection of Clark St. and Adams St. downtown. I'm moving with my two kids. My wife will be moving later. So, I need to find a neighborhood with good schools that won't necessitate an enormous commute.

Any suggestions regarding areas to live in Chicago and the surrounding environs?

The_Jazz · 07-16-2009, 01:02 PM

KA-BOOOOOM!

My head just exploded. I'm typing this at the corner of Clark and Adams. Seriously. The really shitty looking building on that corner? My office.

To answer your actual question, there are lots of places, but it really depends on what you're looking for, how old your kids are and whether or not you want the suburbs. And how much you want to spend (assuming you're buying). There's a huge difference between the city and the suburbs.

If your kids are K-5, I suggest North Center or Lincoln Square. That's in the Bell School district, which is generally regarded as one of the better ones in the city. There are also some very good grade schools in Lincoln Park, Lakeview and Andersonville, and the commute is tolerable for all, including some that could have you 20 minutes from your office door-to-door including a short walk to and from a train station.

If you're going suburban, Western Springs is ok and not too over the top pricewise. Same with Evanston or Skokie. But again, the devil is in the details.

KA-BOOM. Secondary explosion. Sorry.

SecretMethod70 · 07-16-2009, 01:09 PM

The_Jazz summed it up pretty nicely as far as schools go. Other than that, welcome!

sapiens · 07-16-2009, 01:10 PM

My kids are 2 and 6. I'm looking for kid-friendly. I'd rather not live out in the burbs. I prefer an older, closer to the city, neighborhood over a big suburban house. I'd like to live near public transit. I don't know if we're buying or not yet. We may rent until we figure out where we want to live long term. My wife doesn't have a job there yet. She'll be working here until next Summer.

Willravel · 07-16-2009, 01:21 PM

Soon you're going to be one of those people that talks about Chicago like you're the only person to ever experience it and that there's something wrong or inauthentic with people that don't live in Chicago.

SecretMethod70 · 07-16-2009, 01:23 PM

Around Chicago, population density decreases more gradually than most cities. There are a lot of suburbs - like Skokie or Evanston - that people elsewhere might expect to be part of the city. I'd suggest checking them out: they're both older neighborhoods, and Evanston is particularly good because the CTA connects to it.

That said, the areas in Chicago proper that The_Jazz mentioned are also quite family friendly I think. I've lived and worked in and around Lincoln Park and Lakeview for years now, and I think of them as a compromise between city living and suburban family-friendliness. I'm not quite as familiar with Lincoln Square, but I know it enough to know it's a good neighborhood and that the families I've dealt with there have seemed happy with it.

Figuring out where the decent schools are is one part, but once you've narrowed it down you should really take a weekend to explore the character of the neighborhoods as well.

The_Jazz · 07-16-2009, 01:23 PM

In that case, you probably want to stay north. In Chicago, elementary schools are zoned by neighborhood, so you'll want to pay close attention to that, and probably pick a few neighborhoods that feel "right", then make sure that the school is ok.

You may want to check out the Lakewood Balmoral neighborhood. It's bordered by Foster (S), Broadway (N), Bryn Mawr (W) and Broadway (E). It feeds into Peirce Elementary, which is thought of as one of the up-and-coming elementary schools in the city and has a very good principal. It's a neighborhood built in the 10's and 20's as a streetcar suburb that was annexed in the late 20's. Big wide streets, tall trees and victorian houses.

But that's assuming that you're going the public school route and not Catholic or other private school. Which is a completely different conversation.

My wife showed me this website a while ago, and I thought it was interesting. We're sending our kids to Catholic school, so I was more focused there, but it might be a handy resource for you:

Chicago Public Elementary Schools

SecretMethod70 · 07-16-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willravel

Soon you're going to be one of those people that talks about Chicago like you're the only person to ever experience it and that there's something wrong or inauthentic with people that don't live in Chicago.

There isn't something wrong with people that don't live in Chicago?

It could be worse... he could be moving to New York (yeah, that's right, I said it)

---------- Post added at 04:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:25 PM ----------

Peirce is a great school from what I can tell. I recently dealt with a lot of parents with kids at Peirce, and they were all very happy with it.

ASU2003 · 07-16-2009, 03:27 PM

Why would you want to move to Chicago? (yeah, that's right, I said it)

amonkie · 07-16-2009, 03:44 PM

I live in Chicago (Rogers park) and work in Evanston. I have many coworkers who live in the Streeterville, South Loop, and Lincoln Park areas.

From the bus stop by my apartment building, it takes me roughly 25 mins to get from the north city line of Chicago to Michigan Ave/ Congress via the Lake Shore Drive express bus.

I can also vouch for the pretty Balmoral neighborhood, as well as Andersonville . Andersonville didn't fit me as well as Rogers Park does, but I don't have a spouse or kids, so my needs are a little different. I do like the feel of the area up here though. Many of the churches within a 4 block radius have cornerstones dating from 1895-1920, to give you an idea of the age of my neighborhood.

Fremen · 07-16-2009, 04:50 PM

Too bad about what happened to the Sears Tower. Willis Tower just seems wrong.

Glory's Sun · 07-16-2009, 05:13 PM

I swear to fuck.. I think TFP is trying to take over the world from Chicago. There are like 10 of us left who don't live there it seems.

---------- Post added at 09:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:13 PM ----------

oh..yeah.. Good luck!!!

Willravel · 07-16-2009, 05:20 PM

I blame The Dark Knight.

Glory's Sun · 07-16-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willravel

I blame The Dark Knight.

Leave Jazz and his gay hooker outfits out of this..

LoganSnake · 07-16-2009, 05:39 PM

We welcome you to our dark fraternity, brother.

dlish · 07-16-2009, 09:13 PM

as long as you dont turn into one of those fucked up cub fans, ive got no issues with you moving there.

i've got the chicago marathon 2010 in my sights, so i may see half of TFP there next year!

The_Jazz · 07-17-2009, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fremen

Too bad about what happened to the Sears Tower. Willis Tower just seems wrong.

Whachotalkingabout?*

*this joke is useless on anyone younger than about 28, at least when I was using it yesterday.

Quote:

Originally Posted by guccilvr

Leave Jazz and his gay hooker outfits out of this..

Folks, this is what man-on-man sexual harrassment looks like. You reject someone's drunken advances, and suddenly you're turned into a flaming queen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlish

as long as you dont turn into one of those fucked up cub fans, ive got no issues with you moving there.

i've got the chicago marathon 2010 in my sights, so i may see half of TFP there next year!

Hmmmm, I'd like to invite you to stay at my place if you are going to run the marathon, but The_Wife has a strict rule about riff-raff in the house. I could probably sneak you into the garage, though.

dlish · 07-17-2009, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Jazz

Whachotalkingabout?*

*this joke is useless on anyone younger than about 28, at least when I was using it yesterday.

Folks, this is what man-on-man sexual harrassment looks like. You reject someone's drunken advances, and suddenly you're turned into a flaming queen.

Hmmmm, I'd like to invite you to stay at my place if you are going to run the marathon, but The_Wife has a strict rule about riff-raff in the house. I could probably sneak you into the garage, though.

oh geez thanks. i'd accept the offer, except she-lish wont let me stay with crazed psychopathic cubs fans. she'd also not like to stay in someones basement or garage. Just for consolation, and for the record - she drives a Honda Jazz

The_Jazz · 07-17-2009, 07:45 AM

Well, The_Wife is a Sox fan, so you'd have that going for you. And Shelish could stay in the house regardless. I'm sure she'd understand you having to stay in the garage since I'm willing to bet that it's the usual reaction whenever you two travel together.

But if you're coming over with She-lish and Baby-lish in tow, those two definitely have to stay with us. If you don't want the garage, there's a bridge nearby and a hooker hotel about 2 miles away.

Glory's Sun · 07-17-2009, 07:47 AM

wait..

which sox? The Red kind.. or the dirty cheating white kind? and how the fuck does a Cubs fan marry a Sox fan?

you really are mixed up fuck.

uncle phil · 07-17-2009, 08:08 AM

power to the REAL people...

sapiens · 07-17-2009, 08:52 AM

Thank you all for the information. I have a lot to do!

My main concerns with housing are:

quality schools and

a commute short enough that I can drop both kids off in the morning and pick them up after work without getting up at the crack of dawn and getting home at their bed times. I'm not entirely against suburbs. I just don't housing developments very much.

I'm not looking forward to searching for a school, after-school care, and a daycare. Ugh!

---------- Post added at 09:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:49 AM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by SecretMethod70

Figuring out where the decent schools are is one part, but once you've narrowed it down you should really take a weekend to explore the character of the neighborhoods as well.

My start date in Chicago is at the beginning of November. I may move there in November and stay in an extended stay motel. That should give me sufficient time to find a place before my kids move to Chicago at the end of the Fall semester.

07-16-2009, 12:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
sapiens Junkie Location: Some place windy	Moving to Chicago So, I'm moving to Chicago. I will be working near the intersection of Clark St. and Adams St. downtown. I'm moving with my two kids. My wife will be moving later. So, I need to find a neighborhood with good schools that won't necessitate an enormous commute. Any suggestions regarding areas to live in Chicago and the surrounding environs?

07-16-2009, 01:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
The_Jazz Asshole Administrator Location: Chicago	KA-BOOOOOM! My head just exploded. I'm typing this at the corner of Clark and Adams. Seriously. The really shitty looking building on that corner? My office. To answer your actual question, there are lots of places, but it really depends on what you're looking for, how old your kids are and whether or not you want the suburbs. And how much you want to spend (assuming you're buying). There's a huge difference between the city and the suburbs. If your kids are K-5, I suggest North Center or Lincoln Square. That's in the Bell School district, which is generally regarded as one of the better ones in the city. There are also some very good grade schools in Lincoln Park, Lakeview and Andersonville, and the commute is tolerable for all, including some that could have you 20 minutes from your office door-to-door including a short walk to and from a train station. If you're going suburban, Western Springs is ok and not too over the top pricewise. Same with Evanston or Skokie. But again, the devil is in the details. KA-BOOM. Secondary explosion. Sorry. __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - B. Franklin "There ought to be limits to freedom." - George W. Bush "We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo

07-16-2009, 01:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
SecretMethod70 Human Administrator Location: Chicago	The_Jazz summed it up pretty nicely as far as schools go. Other than that, welcome! __________________ Le temps détruit tout "Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling

07-16-2009, 01:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
SecretMethod70 Human Administrator Location: Chicago	Around Chicago, population density decreases more gradually than most cities. There are a lot of suburbs - like Skokie or Evanston - that people elsewhere might expect to be part of the city. I'd suggest checking them out: they're both older neighborhoods, and Evanston is particularly good because the CTA connects to it. That said, the areas in Chicago proper that The_Jazz mentioned are also quite family friendly I think. I've lived and worked in and around Lincoln Park and Lakeview for years now, and I think of them as a compromise between city living and suburban family-friendliness. I'm not quite as familiar with Lincoln Square, but I know it enough to know it's a good neighborhood and that the families I've dealt with there have seemed happy with it. Figuring out where the decent schools are is one part, but once you've narrowed it down you should really take a weekend to explore the character of the neighborhoods as well. __________________ Le temps détruit tout "Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling

07-16-2009, 01:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
The_Jazz Asshole Administrator Location: Chicago	In that case, you probably want to stay north. In Chicago, elementary schools are zoned by neighborhood, so you'll want to pay close attention to that, and probably pick a few neighborhoods that feel "right", then make sure that the school is ok. You may want to check out the Lakewood Balmoral neighborhood. It's bordered by Foster (S), Broadway (N), Bryn Mawr (W) and Broadway (E). It feeds into Peirce Elementary, which is thought of as one of the up-and-coming elementary schools in the city and has a very good principal. It's a neighborhood built in the 10's and 20's as a streetcar suburb that was annexed in the late 20's. Big wide streets, tall trees and victorian houses. But that's assuming that you're going the public school route and not Catholic or other private school. Which is a completely different conversation. My wife showed me this website a while ago, and I thought it was interesting. We're sending our kids to Catholic school, so I was more focused there, but it might be a handy resource for you: Chicago Public Elementary Schools __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - B. Franklin "There ought to be limits to freedom." - George W. Bush "We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo

07-16-2009, 01:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
sapiens Junkie Location: Some place windy	My kids are 2 and 6. I'm looking for kid-friendly. I'd rather not live out in the burbs. I prefer an older, closer to the city, neighborhood over a big suburban house. I'd like to live near public transit. I don't know if we're buying or not yet. We may rent until we figure out where we want to live long term. My wife doesn't have a job there yet. She'll be working here until next Summer.

07-16-2009, 01:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	Soon you're going to be one of those people that talks about Chicago like you're the only person to ever experience it and that there's something wrong or inauthentic with people that don't live in Chicago.

07-16-2009, 03:27 PM	#9 (permalink)
ASU2003 immoral minority Location: Back in Ohio	Why would you want to move to Chicago? (yeah, that's right, I said it)

07-16-2009, 03:44 PM	#10 (permalink)
amonkie Drifting Administrator Location: Windy City	I live in Chicago (Rogers park) and work in Evanston. I have many coworkers who live in the Streeterville, South Loop, and Lincoln Park areas. From the bus stop by my apartment building, it takes me roughly 25 mins to get from the north city line of Chicago to Michigan Ave/ Congress via the Lake Shore Drive express bus. I can also vouch for the pretty Balmoral neighborhood, as well as Andersonville . Andersonville didn't fit me as well as Rogers Park does, but I don't have a spouse or kids, so my needs are a little different. I do like the feel of the area up here though. Many of the churches within a 4 block radius have cornerstones dating from 1895-1920, to give you an idea of the age of my neighborhood. __________________ Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

07-16-2009, 04:50 PM	#11 (permalink)
Fremen With a mustache, the cool factor would be too much Location: left side of my couch, East Texas	Too bad about what happened to the Sears Tower. Willis Tower just seems wrong. __________________ Google

07-16-2009, 05:13 PM	#12 (permalink)
Glory's Sun Registered User	I swear to fuck.. I think TFP is trying to take over the world from Chicago. There are like 10 of us left who don't live there it seems. ---------- Post added at 09:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:13 PM ---------- oh..yeah.. Good luck!!!

07-16-2009, 05:20 PM	#13 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	I blame The Dark Knight.

07-16-2009, 05:39 PM	#15 (permalink)
LoganSnake We work alone Location: Cake Town	We welcome you to our dark fraternity, brother. __________________ Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past. Wisdom is knowing that you'll be an idiot in the future. Common sense is knowing that you should try not to be an idiot now. - J. Jacques

07-16-2009, 09:13 PM	#16 (permalink)
dlish Currently sour but formerly Dlishs Super Moderator Location: Australia/UAE	as long as you dont turn into one of those fucked up cub fans, ive got no issues with you moving there. i've got the chicago marathon 2010 in my sights, so i may see half of TFP there next year! __________________ An injustice anywhere, is an injustice everywhere I always sign my facebook comments with ()()===========(}. Does that make me gay? - Filthy

07-17-2009, 07:45 AM	#19 (permalink)
The_Jazz Asshole Administrator Location: Chicago	Well, The_Wife is a Sox fan, so you'd have that going for you. And Shelish could stay in the house regardless. I'm sure she'd understand you having to stay in the garage since I'm willing to bet that it's the usual reaction whenever you two travel together. But if you're coming over with She-lish and Baby-lish in tow, those two definitely have to stay with us. If you don't want the garage, there's a bridge nearby and a hooker hotel about 2 miles away. __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - B. Franklin "There ought to be limits to freedom." - George W. Bush "We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo

07-17-2009, 08:08 AM	#21 (permalink)
uncle phil comfortably numb... Super Moderator Location: upstate	power to the REAL people... __________________ "We were wrong, terribly wrong. (We) should not have tried to fight a guerrilla war with conventional military tactics against a foe willing to absorb enormous casualties...in a country lacking the fundamental political stability necessary to conduct effective military and pacification operations. It could not be done and it was not done." - Robert S. McNamara ----------------------------------------- "We will take our napalm and flame throwers out of the land that scarcely knows the use of matches... We will leave you your small joys and smaller troubles." - Eugene McCarthy in "Vietnam Message" ----------------------------------------- never wrestle with a pig. you both get dirty; the pig likes it.

07-17-2009, 07:47 AM	#20 (permalink)
Glory's Sun Registered User	wait.. which sox? The Red kind.. or the dirty cheating white kind? and how the fuck does a Cubs fan marry a Sox fan? you really are mixed up fuck.