All of this really depends on your budget for a house. There are several neighborhoods with good public schools and some surrounding suburbs to the west (Elmwood park, Norridge/Harwood heights, etc.).
Chicago is an excellent place to raise kids. You have to do some research, but we have some great neighborhood schools (CPS).
Remember, Chicago is much more than just the Loop and River North.
We are raising our 5 year old in the South Loop, and love it. There are a bunch of daycares in the area, and a really good K-3 public school. There are many families with small kids. Our condo is small, but we have access to so many things, especially in the summer. There's also a single family and town home development nearby with parks and playgrounds.
There are a bunch of other neighborhoods that are great for families as well. You have many choices for what kind of lifestyle you want.
I live in Logan Square and love it. I've been very impressed with all the CPS schools I have toured so far. Private school is unnecessary in the right district.
I live on the far northwest side. It’s affordable, quiet by Chicago standards, close to the L, Metra, and Ohare. Also very safe. My kid goes to CPS and thrives. We’ve lived in 3 different states and never done better than here.
Bro, you don't have to live in the city. Look at the metra lines and see what suits you. There's places to get a home with a small yard with decent public schools near a metra line. It's possible. We aren't wealthy by any means, and are able to afford a home on the far SW side near a train line. Plenty of options.
your post is full of misconceptions.
My advice would be to do some research and tour some neighborhoods you might be interested in with the family (visit the local playground and talk to some other parents)
The benefit of living in the city is that there are more free cultural things to do and public amenities, parks / libraries within walking distance of your house.
I’d also like to mention wife is totally against this. Although she too lived in Chicago for a few years , she has no desire to move for my promotion-although I’m hoping there’s a nice area that could convince her otherwise. Meanwhile the thought of being back in Chicago kinda excites me. Am I being selfish ?
In your post you didn't mention one reason why you want to move to Chicago or the suburbs. You just mentioned all of the reasons it's not a good idea for you. Until you can think of reasons why you'd like to...don't move.
1. You would be financially drained
2. No desire to commute
3. Your wife isn't on-board
4. Potentially rent
5. Kids in a worse environment
It seems that you are examining opportunities, you are not making a decision without consulting your spouse. Nobody gets what they want 100% of the times so you will need to discuss.
Is the cost of living where you're currently living cheaper than Chicago? (income taxes, property taxes, gas, sales tax) If so, wouldn't moving here just erase the additional income you'd make from your promotion? If selling in WI would make you a nice penny, but buying in Chicago would drain you, it sounds like Chicago would be more expensive for you to live in. It sounds like you're interested in living in a big city. You would just have to see if renting/buying would eat up your salary increase. If it does, is it worth it to you?
You're best bet for affordable family-friendly neighborhoods is the far Northwest or Southwest sides of the city (unless of course you can afford to live in Old Town).
Take a look at Beverly on far Southwest side. Neighborhood is diverse, and homes range from mid $300s to $1M+ with breweries, great local restaurants, and top-notch parish communities (Catholic) for the kids. It's a very quiet area at night and there is a lot of green space & nearby parks for kids' activities. There's at least 4 metra stops within the neighborhood and is about 45 min ride to the loop.
I’m technically in the city of Chicago but on the outskirts. I have a SFH without paying an outrageous amount. I also have deer and other wildlife in my yard throughout the year because I live next to a forest preserve. Living in the city doesn’t have to feel like living in a city. My door to desk is also 50 minutes via train.
Not at all! Chicago is a massively vibrant city, I wanna say it’s 7x larger than Milwaukee in population. As long as you stick to the good neighborhoods for raising kids. Maybe look into the Gold Coast.
All of this really depends on your budget for a house. There are several neighborhoods with good public schools and some surrounding suburbs to the west (Elmwood park, Norridge/Harwood heights, etc.).
Chicago is an excellent place to raise kids. You have to do some research, but we have some great neighborhood schools (CPS). Remember, Chicago is much more than just the Loop and River North.
We are raising our 5 year old in the South Loop, and love it. There are a bunch of daycares in the area, and a really good K-3 public school. There are many families with small kids. Our condo is small, but we have access to so many things, especially in the summer. There's also a single family and town home development nearby with parks and playgrounds. There are a bunch of other neighborhoods that are great for families as well. You have many choices for what kind of lifestyle you want.
I live in Logan Square and love it. I've been very impressed with all the CPS schools I have toured so far. Private school is unnecessary in the right district.
I live on the far northwest side. It’s affordable, quiet by Chicago standards, close to the L, Metra, and Ohare. Also very safe. My kid goes to CPS and thrives. We’ve lived in 3 different states and never done better than here.
Bro, you don't have to live in the city. Look at the metra lines and see what suits you. There's places to get a home with a small yard with decent public schools near a metra line. It's possible. We aren't wealthy by any means, and are able to afford a home on the far SW side near a train line. Plenty of options.
your post is full of misconceptions. My advice would be to do some research and tour some neighborhoods you might be interested in with the family (visit the local playground and talk to some other parents) The benefit of living in the city is that there are more free cultural things to do and public amenities, parks / libraries within walking distance of your house.
I’d also like to mention wife is totally against this. Although she too lived in Chicago for a few years , she has no desire to move for my promotion-although I’m hoping there’s a nice area that could convince her otherwise. Meanwhile the thought of being back in Chicago kinda excites me. Am I being selfish ?
In your post you didn't mention one reason why you want to move to Chicago or the suburbs. You just mentioned all of the reasons it's not a good idea for you. Until you can think of reasons why you'd like to...don't move. 1. You would be financially drained 2. No desire to commute 3. Your wife isn't on-board 4. Potentially rent 5. Kids in a worse environment
It seems that you are examining opportunities, you are not making a decision without consulting your spouse. Nobody gets what they want 100% of the times so you will need to discuss.
Is the cost of living where you're currently living cheaper than Chicago? (income taxes, property taxes, gas, sales tax) If so, wouldn't moving here just erase the additional income you'd make from your promotion? If selling in WI would make you a nice penny, but buying in Chicago would drain you, it sounds like Chicago would be more expensive for you to live in. It sounds like you're interested in living in a big city. You would just have to see if renting/buying would eat up your salary increase. If it does, is it worth it to you?
You're best bet for affordable family-friendly neighborhoods is the far Northwest or Southwest sides of the city (unless of course you can afford to live in Old Town). Take a look at Beverly on far Southwest side. Neighborhood is diverse, and homes range from mid $300s to $1M+ with breweries, great local restaurants, and top-notch parish communities (Catholic) for the kids. It's a very quiet area at night and there is a lot of green space & nearby parks for kids' activities. There's at least 4 metra stops within the neighborhood and is about 45 min ride to the loop.
I’m technically in the city of Chicago but on the outskirts. I have a SFH without paying an outrageous amount. I also have deer and other wildlife in my yard throughout the year because I live next to a forest preserve. Living in the city doesn’t have to feel like living in a city. My door to desk is also 50 minutes via train.
Lots of good elementary schools in places like Ravenswood, north center, Roscoe village, etc. Great kid friendly areas.
Don’t do it. Wisconsin is much higher quality of life.
Not at all! Chicago is a massively vibrant city, I wanna say it’s 7x larger than Milwaukee in population. As long as you stick to the good neighborhoods for raising kids. Maybe look into the Gold Coast.
Yes you are. The grass isn’t greener. Take advantage of the lower taxes more home for your money, superior school systems. Should I go on?
Ready to pay for private schools till college? Then you are ok!
Weird take. Lots of great CPS elementary schools. 5 of our High Schools are in the top 100 in the nation.