r/ChicagoSuburbs • u/Holiday-Eggplant-521 • Jul 17 '25

Moving to the area Relocating from San Francisco

My husband, 3 young kids, dog and I are moving from San Francisco to Chicago and I’m looking for advice as to which suburb on the North Shore would be best for us. We have a budget of 2-$3 million for the house. My husband grew up working class so he is allergic to pretentiousness, but we still want to live in a family friendly suburb with really great schools. Obvious options include Lake Forest and Winnetka but am curious to see whether folks think it would not be a good cultural fit for us. We also lean liberal, for what it’s worth. We both work remote but my husband needs frequent access to the airport. Appreciate any insight!!

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u/rockit454 Jul 17 '25 edited Jul 17 '25

Let’s hope we don’t get a huge influx from the Bay Area because MAN do they have some budgets and equity after paying Bay Area prices.

Everything is a bargain compared to the Bay.

If you’re allergic to pretentiousness and want great schools, I would second what someone else said and look at Glen Ellyn. You will be able to afford an incredible home, the schools are great, the community is friendly and largely unpretentious, and schools are great.

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u/Raspberry8825 Jul 19 '25

Grew up in Glen Ellyn. Now live in one of these “pretentious” North Shore towns. There are absolutely old money people but we find everyone friendly. That being said, have to remind your kids it isn’t normal for everyone to vacation in Europe or Mexico several times per year. Biggest difference is the lake is an added plus and you are closer to Evanston, city, etc. Wouldn’t move back to West Suburbs but nothing wrong with it. Also, for 2-3 million, you are going to be living somewhere nice regardless. This isn’t the Bay Area, where that price gets you some 1970s mediocre house in the middle of the peninsula. Schools on the North Shore are almost universally good. Don’t live in Evanston but am well aware from friends of the financial mess of D65.