Chicago Anyone?

We use to live in the area of Chicago about 4 years ago. Our OB is no longer there so no help with that I can say though that we lived in Carol Stream and loved it! Wheaton is also nice but is similar to Bellevue very pricey! But Bloomingdale, Glen Elllyn, Medinah, glendale heights... are all great places to live. A little bit of a commute but I don't think it is as bad as say living out here and commuting from Lynnwood or Everett to seattle.
If they don't want to deal with the tolls then best bet is to live in the city! We lived there for 3 years and never drove on the freeway unless it was an area between tolls.

We delivered at Elmhurst Medical Center and it was o.k. Didn't like the nurses!

Friend delivered at Central DuPage and they have a new; as of 4 years ago, maternity center which was great!

Loyola University is also a great place we were referred to there for some treatment because of high risk!

Definitely don't have her deliver at Glenoaks hospital I had to get blood work done there and will never ever, ever go back!

Anyway as you can see I am only really familiar with the West side of Chicago but I do have to say we loved living there!

The nice thing about Chicago, unlike Seattle, is that they have a very good mass transit system. Even if they live in one of many suburbs, there are trains everywhere to take you directly downtown.

We are actaully doing the flip. We live in Chicago but are moving to WA.
Chicago is a great city. Big and sprawling. There are many pockets of the city that have their own charm.
We live in Uptown. We are about 6 blocks from the lake, 2 blocks form the El (red line) and about a quarter mile from a Metra stop (much quicker to downtown than the El).
We are in a more historic area of the city. We are about a mile north of Wrigley field.
I have a 10 month old son, and loved my Docs at Northwestern. My Dr. was Regina Belmonte and I can give her number if your friend is interested. Prentice Hospital (Northwestern Women's Hospital) is top-notch.

Hi T.,

I am from Chicago and moved to Seattle in 2001. Dr. Alexander Lin was my OB/GYN and I loved loved loved him (Northwestern Memorial Phys. Grp). I had some complicated issues and he was so great and knowledgable and didn't push for meds/treatment/surgery when others would have, which in the end was the right decision. Also, I didn't have insurance for a short while and he was GREAT about that also. A great bedside manor. Cannot recommend him highly enough. He also delivered my friend's son. Even though I initially wanted a female doc, I wouldn't have traded him for the world.
Also, I lived all over the city. The southwest side of the city has lots of families and a bit more suburban feel with bigger yards but is still the city with parks, etc. (Garfield Ridge neighborhood). Lots of fire-fighters and cops live there and it's not too outrageously priced. It's true about the mass transit, so most places they choose would probably have easy access to the city. Best of luck to them - it's an awesome city!

My brother in law and family live in Elgin (which is a burb) and it's a 1 hour train ride into the city. I think their neighborhood is called Waterford. It's VERY family friendly and some homes are custom, some are builder. It was a nice area, but still very affordable, especially if moving from here!