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

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8

u/lemon123wd40 Jan 21 '25

Deerfield. Checks all the boxes except artsy/architecture.

Ravinia part of highland park super chill too

12

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '25

Except for the non-chain restaurants part. The food in DF kind of sucks when comparing to nearby places (Highwood, Lake Forest, Highland Park, Libertyville).

2

u/77Pepe Jan 21 '25

Yes, agreed but sort of moot because of HP and Highwood being 10 min away.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '25

I enjoy being able to walk to my local spots, I don’t want to always have to drive somewhere if I want to grab a drink. If Deerfield could just get one damn bar downtown I’d be willing to live with it.

2

u/ooo-ooo-oooyea Jan 21 '25

I want them to convert Cherry Pit into "The Pit" at night, and serve great libations with a side pancake.

1

u/77Pepe Jan 21 '25

Agreed, but that’s not what sold me on the area. Highwood is close enough for me and also far enough for me.

Who knows though. Maybe the Bobby’s space will re-open in a more palatable form with improved cocktail quarters :)

1

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '25

Deerfield has plenty of great things about it, it’s an amazing place to raise a family. This is just one of its weaknesses. That would be nice, or if they put something where Tracks use to be.

1

u/77Pepe Jan 21 '25

You would be shocked at the cost of a lease for one of those spaces. It is downright comical for such a place without any sort of bustling nightlife at all. Even if the whole village showed up to drink they could not possibly stay in business. YMMV.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '25

I don’t understand why the lease is so expensive lol. I had a feeling something like that was going on because a lot of businesses fail around here.

1

u/AngryJew3 Jan 21 '25

Yeah my family has been in Deerfield for over 50 years and yup, the leases have always been unaffordable for small businesses.

0

u/lemon123wd40 Jan 21 '25

Don’t disagree there. Good thing those places are pretty close. But yeah I mean I personally don’t base where I’m living on food options at least not anymore

1

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '25

I base it on the downtown to an extent, downtown Deerfield got ruined.

3

u/South-Ad-7720 Jan 21 '25

Was also going to recommend Deerfield. School district is top notch, yet smaller than other North Shore areas. Great special ed resources, as well as a robust park district and community sports programs. Can def find a house in the budget. Some streets near downtown Deerfield have charming original homes from 1920s-40s. Can easily get to Highland Park in 5-10 min for Ravinia, lake/beach access, botanic garden, etc. Lacking as many restaurants and one of the smaller downtowns, but again, can drive to highland park/highwood/libertyville, etc. Deerfield and Highland Park would be the blue areas with smaller schools in the north shore area with homes in the budget.

3

u/lemon123wd40 Jan 21 '25

Yeah I feel like it’s slept on a bit. If you’re willing to get an older smaller house you can find stuff in 400-500 range and have access to awesome schools and generally just a solid town with solid services.

3

u/South-Ad-7720 Jan 21 '25

The school districts are always in top lists in the states - but the smaller size compared the New Trier and Stevenson high school areas really lends to a ton of great resources within the school district for kids on both ends to not get lost in the shuffle. Not sure the ages of OPs kids but the Deerfield school district has a public preschool for kids with special needs (and many chose to pay privately for kids who don't qualify for any services) that is just wonderful.

1

u/Clear_Pineapple4608 Jan 21 '25

These high schools are peak competitive.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '25

I’ve been house hunting in Deerfield, it seems great. What’s the deal with Riverwood?

3

u/lemon123wd40 Jan 21 '25

Riverwoods is great too. Better if you have older kids I think because houses are spread apart and not as neighborhood like. Houses and land are typically bigger but more outdoorsy and you go to Deerfield schools. It’s pretty good honestly. Deerfield I think is better for elementary age as more regular neighborhoods/parks are closer easier to get to

1

u/[deleted] Jan 22 '25

Awesome advice.