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How To Survive The Suburbs?

Need recos about Western suburbs of Chicago

  • What parts of Chicago's western suburbs are NOT cookie-cutter? There is a possibility my wife and I will be relocating to Chicago's western suburbs. Having grown up in the north suburbs near Gurnee and Libertyville, the idea of living in a cookie-cutter suburb fills me with dread. Most of the norh suburbs is cookie-cutter and one shopping mall after another (with some exceptions, of course). Can anyone recommend a neighborhood that is NOT so cookie-cutter? I should explain what I mean by cookie-cutter:Subdivisions filled with row after row of houses that look identical.No soul.No intimacy or "neighborhood" feel like you get in downtown Chicago.No mini-downtown that functions as a community hub where you can walk around, get an ice cream, and enjoy a nice summer night out and about.No small shops or independents. Every restaurant or business is a big box retailer or national chain.No proximity to a Metra or CTA station.We lived in Evanston for a few years and LOVED it. It was the exact opposite of all that (and then some). But if everything goes through, my office would be in Oakbrook Terrace and I don't think I'd be able to survive the traffic from that commute everyday without wanting to strangle someone (or myself). I have a 25-minute commute by bus right now, and it's heavenly. Ideally, I'd like to not have to drive, but that's looking increasingly unlikely. Any ideas?

  • Answer:

    Check out Oak Park, it's pretty nice and city like with a cool downtown.

zooropa at Ask.Metafilter.Com Visit the source

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Seconding Oak Park. Bonus: tons of Frank Lloyd Wright houses.

exogenous

Another vote for Oak Park or Downers Grove (whose quaint virtues were once extolled by http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS6urQMzYzs).

scody

3rding Oak Park.

desjardins

The perfect spot is north of Ogden Ave and west of La Grange road in La Grange/La Grange Park. The area is bordered to the west and north with forest preserve and is close to bike trails if you want to bike to work. Also close to downtown La Grange and the Metra when you need your big city fix (20 minutes).

repoman

Hi folks! It's Zooropa again. I wanted to give an update on what Mrs. Zooropa and I ended up deciding. We moved in September 2012. Before moving, though, we visited many of the places recommended here. In the end, it was a no-brainer: Downers Grove! We are very happy we did, and have fallen in love with the community. Thank you for all the amazing suggestions! It's the Green FTW!

zooropa

Nthing Downers Grove. My boyfriend and I live near the Belmont train station and we like it. Lots of older homes in our neighborhood - there are some newer larger homes but in my opinion they fit the character of the neighborhood. Where we live is pretty quiet, but the people here are very friendly and neighborly, and we're close to downtown as well. Bonus: Lots of http://dgedc.com/searshomes/index.htm in town.

SisterHavana

Wow! I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who posted! Your opinions and thoughts are all very welcome. Both my wife and I thank you!

zooropa

I grew up in Glen Ellyn. To borrow a line from Morrissey, it's a great place to be, if you're a bedridden deaf mute.

interrupt

Glen Ellyn definitely fits all your criteria. The downtown neighborhoods are lovely and walkable, it's right on Metra, and it has lots of character.

otherwordlyglow

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