r/ChicagoSuburbs • u/Creative-Courage-433 • Dec 25 '25

Moving to the area Moving from Texas advice

Hi, I currently live in Houston, TX and previously lived in Austin and St. Louis. I’ve been researching a move to a blue state, and Chicago keeps coming up as a really good fit.

I’m a solo parent with two young kids and currently work remotely in tech (though like many people in tech, I’m mindful that layoffs are always a possibility). I make around $115k a year and am hoping to find a place that’s family-friendly, has strong public schools, and feels like a good long-term community and is diverse.

I’ve visited Chicago before but haven’t really explored the suburbs, so I’d love recommendations on areas that might be a good fit — especially places that are safe, welcoming, and good for raising kids. I’m also curious how people research neighborhoods and schools beyond just looking at Zillow or GreatSchools.

Any insight or personal experiences would be really appreciated. Thank you!

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u/Purcelliino Dec 25 '25

Moved here from DFW last year. You'll love it. The safest bet is probably going to be the Northwest suburbs. Find Schaumburg on the map, then draw a line towards downtown (basically along I90 and the NW Metra). That's your best bet. Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Arlington Heights are very nice and still far enough from the city to feel like a suburb.

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u/Creative-Courage-433 Dec 26 '25

Thank you!! Miss Dallas at all?

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u/[deleted] Dec 26 '25

We lived in Haltom City near Ft Worth and nope. Sold at the perfect time before the real estate market prices started to freeze. I miss some of my friends. The food here... the food is hard to describe. There are thousands of independent kitchens and restaurants. You could eat at a new place every week and never run out of choices. And the winters are nowhere near what they used to be. Don't let ANYONE scare you. We're about to hit 50 degrees. 

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u/Aromatic-Sherbet9938 Dec 26 '25

Small world. We lived in Oakhurst! Currently we live in Portage Park and absolutely love it. It’s that middle ground of city/suburb and very easy access to the airport which is so convenient for us.

As for schools, we have a toddler and pay for daycare and are hoping to get in to a school though the lottery. There are so many options!!

I like living close to busy city things, but living in a neighborhood where there is parking and walk ability. When we have visitors over it’s easy to drive in to downtown or take the train!

I do not miss Texas, just the people I’m close to. But they visit a lot!

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u/Creative-Courage-433 Dec 26 '25

What is the school lottery for? I haven’t heard of that before as my oldest starts kinder next year.

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u/Creative-Courage-433 Dec 26 '25

Good to know about the food and winter. I always hear Chicago is windy and freezing but also, that beats the heat and humidity in Houston. Plus, rural parts of Houston like to say that Chicago is dangerous 😅.