Hi Bees! So, my husband accepted a position with his company in Crystal Lake. We've checked out the area and decided Crystal Lake isn't where we'd like to live, and are looking at surrounding areas. Can anyone from around here offer any advice on where we should be looking or areas to avoid? Thanks in advance!!
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@ustechie: we lived in Woodstock for a year and I worked in Crystal Lake, very nice areas! I live in MI now but we enjoyed it while there.
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@Bao: thank you! I feel like crystal lake is a little too rural for us, then again, we saw it in February- covered in snow! What did you like about it? Dislike?
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@ustechie: I don't think it's too rural! BUT comparing to where I live now, my view could be off. I just found it to be a really nice area, with lots of things close by. Going to the city was only a short train ride away, which was nice. Far enough away not to be in the rush but close enough to go there on a whim. The only thing I would consider a dislike is the cost of living was more there than it is here, but that's not saying much
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Born and raised in Northern IL! How long of a commute are you willing to do? Would you prefer to be closer to the city or still out a ways but just with more going on? Would you rent or buy?
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I live in the burbs of Chicago. Grew up in the NW burbs. I feel like Woodstock/Crystal Lake are far, but that's me!
Maybe Barrington or Buffalo Grove? Even Schaumburg or Arlington Heights might not be too bad of a commute.
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@SLR: I don't think my husband would want more than 30ish minutes. We don't care if we're far from Chicago, but definitely would prefer something with some shopping nearby- bonus if there's a nice "downtown" area. We would buy.
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@Mrs. J: it IS far!
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@ustechie: I'd maybe check out Palatine, Arlington Heights, Barrington, or Lake Zurich!
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@ustechie: I like that area but if it's too rural, I'd look at something more suburban like Arlington Heights (great downtown)! Barrington also has a great downtown.
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@SLR: @MRSJX3: thank you...will do!
Does anyone know which surrounding area has the best schools? Also, i can't believe the property taxes!! Yikes!!
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I'd say schools and safety are my 2 top priorities. Not gunna lie...Chicago scares me a bit...
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@ustechie: Arlington heights, Schaumburg, Barrington. I teach in AH.
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We live in Northern Illinois now: Vernon Hills. Pick an area with easy access to the highway or Metra. Buffalo Grove, Libertyville, Vernon Hills are nice. Schaumburg, Elgin, and Des Plaines are also nice areas too. I have quite a few professional colleagues who live in Des Plaines and love it. When picking which suburb you want to live in, consider the taxes and county. If you're in Cook County, your tax rate may be different than someone in Lake or DuPage counties. We pay a fair amount in taxes, but our retail tax is much lower out here than in Cook County.
ETA: Chicago's not scary. I've lived in Chicago and now surrounding burb since 2002. Living in the city has different challenges than living in the burbs.
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@cascademom: right, Chicago is definitely not scary. Don't be an unaware idiot, but it's not scary.
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