Where to Live City or Suburb?

I just moved from the city to the suburbs this past weekend so I really understand where your question is coming from. I think it really depends on the type of person you are. I am a "city person." I like the activity, the people, the diversity, etc. We moved only because we couldn't afford the size of house we need for a second baby. However, if we could have afforded it, I would have stayed! We lived in a wonderful neighborhood and had the best neighbors! We knew a ton of people and walked everywhere. The lifestyle is incredible but you do pay for it. It is going to take a lot of time for me to adjust to the minivan world of the suburbs but my son seems to love his bigger house so it's worth the sacrifice. Good luck to you. I am sure you will be happy with your move to Chicago/suburbs. It's a wonderful place to live and raise a family.

We just moved to the city (River West) about a year and half ago from Naperville (far west suburb). Naperville is a fantastic area if you are considering the suburbs. The housing prices have dropped dramatically in the past year and you get a lot more bang for your buck out there. My husband and I both work in the loop and made the decision to move to the city in order to spend more time with our daughter, who also goes to day care in the loop, and less time commuting. We can walk to Michigan Ave, the loop, museums and anything else is easily accesible by cab or train. We love the city, but will probably be headed back to the burbs in the next couple years when we outgrow our townhome in the city.

Hi N.. I lived in both. I love the city for its shops and restaurants. It is great place to be in the summer. However, once I had my first baby I found it harder to live there. I was always stuck in traffic and grocery shopping was a pain. Unless, you have a parking spot at your place, it is a pain. I live in Vernon Hills now and I love it. I find it easier and more relaxing then the city. Of course, cheaper too! If you have anymore questions please feel free to write me a message. Good luck! - E.

Hi N.! I won't reiterate all the pros and cons listed below, and I agree with all of them. I just wanted to say that I highly recommend Oak Park as a great suburb with easy access to the city. Best of luck to you and your family.

I think it's honestly a matter of opinion and preferences. I grew up in the city and was there until I got married at age 26. If my husband would agree, we'd still be there, but he grew up in the burbs and we had to compromise. So we're in a relatively close burb that is old and has character, but I'm still a city girl and wish we were there. It's true, I appreciate lower taxes and better schools on a whole where we're now located, but then again I'd work as hard as I needed in the city to make sure my children ended up in decent schools and were affored the best opportunities if we were still there. I VERY much miss being able to walk places, take the train and/or bus wherever, and generally have many more restaurants and cultural activities around. I'm not unhappy in the suburbs, but there are many things I miss about the city and would totally go back to in a heartbeat. I also feel safer when there are tons of people around all the time, as opposed to the quiet of the suburbs, and agree with a previous post about missing the true diversity of the city.

On the flip-side, I know many people who would never ever return to the city or raise kids there. Being in the city was what they did as single people for a few years. Like I said, it's all a matter of preference.

HI N., I lived also in Chicago downtown, now I am living in schaumburg, very very cloe to wwodfield mall. I loved to live in chicago but I was also very afraid of the cta train when I walked underneath. Here there is almost no traffic. you can easy take your precious baby and walk on the street. Even during this time I always make small or long walks. when i want to go to the city it is half hour drive (try avoid rush hours from 9am to 4pm) or from the airport you take the blue line. I have a 6 months old and he loves to ride the train. People are very very helpfull. the biggest nice thing is you have enough space for all toys. In my old condo even it was a big one you do not have that kind of a space. once every other week we go to the city to a restaurant no biggi.

I was born and raised in the city. I live in what is considered one of the best areas of the city. The schools are still super overcrowded and the taxes are skyrocketing. The nice thing about the burbs is that you at least get good schools for your money. In the city you will pay high prices for homes, insurance and taxes and still have to pay for private education. What a deal!!

I grew up in the SW suburbs, and returned there after college to teach at a local high school. My husband and I moved to the city after less than 2 years because we couldn't stand the thought of living there any longer, let alone raising a child there... I wouldn't send my kid to the school district I worked in for any amount of money, and they like to consider themselves a top tier district.

We had a baby this past year, and have no intention to move out of the city. Our living expenses in the city are not considerably higher than they were in suburbia. We do have significantly less space, but we've learned to be efficient with what we've got and not to overdo the whole toy thing. One HUGE plus is that we have much more time at home with our daughter because we are not wasting time (and money) commuting.

It really just depends on the suburb, the area of the city, and your general attitudes. We did not want to live in a town where diversity means the 6 asian kids and 12 hispanic kids in your school of 240...

If you've got the time, visit lots of places, talk to people who live there, visit the schools. Ask a lot of specific questions before you decide. There are suburbs and parts of the city that might suprise you...

Hi. My husband and I just moved from the city to the SW burbs 6 months ago. We lived in the city from age 21 until 31 for me and 34 for my husband. We moved because we had twins. I ABSOLUTELY MISS the city but the disadvantages currently outweigh the advantages...which mainly boils down to financial reasons for us.

PROS to City
* LOTS to do
* Support networks seem larger
* More business opportunities
* Lots of parks

CONS to City
* VERY expensive to live
* Miss neighborhood atmosphere
* Public schools are not very good and private is very expensive

PROS to Suburbs
* You can get more house for your money (including garage/yards) especially if you move to SW/S burbs.
* Usually good school systems
* Neighborhood feel

CONS to Suburbs
* Not much to do
* Just because you are in the burbs doesn't mean people are any friendlier!
* Sometimes not a large business district (depends what burb you live in)

Good luck!

Every year, Chicago Magazine publishes an issue that is loaded with statistics and articles on every community in this area. I would search your local library for the most recent of these issues or contact the magazine directly to buy a back issue. Though I don't plan to move any time soon, I always look forward to reading this particular issue. Good luck.
Amy

Hi!

Where in Florida? My husband and kids moved to Florida last December and moved right back to Chicago less than a year after being there. We simply did not adjust very well to living there, combined with the fact that career/job opportunities were no where near to what they are here in Chicago. We truly became miserable living there. Sure you can't beat the nice Winters out there but we missed the 4 seasons as well. Anyway, coming back we knew we didn't want to live anywhere else but in the city. We love the diversity, convenience and opportunities that the city offers. Depending on where from Florida you came from, you might like living in the suburbs because of the similarities but for us, Chicago is the only place to be! I would love to hear where in Florida you came from.

S.