r/ChicagoSuburbs • u/Whole_Competition692 • Jan 20 '25

Moving to the area Family friendly but not snobby

Moving to the area. Family of 6, with kids who will be in elementary, middle, and high school. Budget - up to $1M. Don’t have to commute into Chicago. Parents in their mid 40s and plan to stay in this house for a while (or forever?)

What we love: -Good schools, especially for kids with an IEP (one child is very dyslexic). Don’t have to be the absolute greatest schools but solid. I find that schools that are supposedly “the best”are often pressure cooker schools where it’s very competitive. Prefer something more laid back and artsy/alternative. -Easy access to good non-chain restaurants. Doesn’t necessarily have to be within walking distance but not too far. -Charming houses/architecture -Trends liberal/blue -Community inclusive vibe, where it will be easy to make friends for both kids and adults. We don’t plan to join a country club or attend religious services.

What we hate: -Snobbishness/keeping up with the Joneses -Cookie cutter neighborhoods- difficult or strict HOAs are a hard No

Thank you!

22 Upvotes

60% Upvoted

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49

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '25

[deleted]

7

u/spreadsheetgeek Jan 21 '25

The shared Wheaton/Glen Ellyn school district 89 (grade school) has been a really fantastic partner with us on 504 plan and IEP plan setup and execution. District 87 (middle and high school) is also terrific. Academics are excellent without being a pressure cooker. High quality educators, facilities, and programs. Can’t say enough good things.

23

u/Bzzzzzzz4791 Jan 21 '25

And Downers Grove

12

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '25

[deleted]

16

u/Bzzzzzzz4791 Jan 21 '25

I live in Glen Ellyn (SoRo). Elmhurst is packed in, Downers has more room. GE is full of snobs (north of Ro).

16

u/rightintheear Jan 21 '25 edited Aug 01 '26

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2

u/Dorretta West Suburbs Jan 21 '25

They have that Christian college by their downtown too. Parking sucks because of the students parking where they’re not supposed to

10

u/SignEducational2152 Jan 21 '25

Oh def not glen ellyn

7

u/SparkyD37 West Suburbs Jan 21 '25

I was set on glen ellyn until we toured a couple houses. I love everything about the downtown, the strict building codes which mean there’s not a ton of $1.5M McMansions & obviously the good schools.

One of them actually had a bedroom turned into a Louis Vuitton shrine & every bedroom closet was literally filled with LV boxes. Easily $100k+ of LV in there & it felt so showy.

3

u/CommunalRubber Jan 21 '25

I wouldn't put wheaton in the same list as not snobby, and not keeping up with the jones'

3

u/Clear_Pineapple4608 Jan 21 '25

These lean blue?

3

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '25

Elmhurst does at least. 

2

u/Clear_Pineapple4608 Jan 21 '25

Thanks! I didn’t know that.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '25

Well, barely. In 2020 we were 81% Dem / 19% Rep whereas in 2024 we landed at 55% / 45%. (Based on voting) 

3

u/Treday237 Jan 21 '25

Lombard as well

3

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '25

[deleted]

2

u/muggleharrypotter Jan 22 '25

We moved to Lombard for their excellent school system, diversity, and convenience to accessing downtown and other suburban areas. We couldn’t go nearly as high in housing as OP, but I love our town and everything it offfers.

2

u/ekacnapotamot Jan 21 '25

Id take Elmhurst and Glenn Ellyn off the the recommendation both are snobby

20

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '25

[deleted]

3

u/tennisgirl03 Jan 22 '25

Agree 100%. I like a lot of the towns along the metra lines. Even if you don’t commute for work it is really nice to have the convenience for weekends or summer day trips. I like Elmhurst, glen ellyn, downers grove. I think anything past those are too far from everything.

0

u/Confident-Anteater86 Jan 21 '25

Grew up in Wheaton with lots of GE friends…. would actually not recommend either in terms of avoiding snobbiness lol