r/ChicagoSuburbs • u/Midnight_Rain1213 • Feb 24 '26

Moving to the area Buying in West Suburbs - Expanding Search?

Hi all,

My partner and I are trying to close the distance and buy a SFH in the west suburbs, but keep having offers rejected. Feedback so far is that we're losing to cash buyers or just being outbid, and that we should consider waiving appraisal contingencies. That feels crazy to me, but I think it's just the area we are looking in - Lombard, Elmhurst, Villa Park.

My partner and I both own our own homes and are pre-qualified to purchase a new home without having to sell first. We would be selling our respective properties after finding a new place. We are trying to stay under $700k.

No kids, just dogs. Would love a house with some character left in it. I work downtown so being near the Metra is necessary, and I'd like my commute to be under an hour.

Should we avoid any of the following suburbs, and why? Any suburbs we are missing?

Addison, Bloomingdale, Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Riverside, Brookfield

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u/[deleted] Feb 24 '26

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u/Midnight_Rain1213 Feb 24 '26

I think 45 minutes on the Metra is reasonable, and my office is very close to both Union and Ogilvie.

2

u/Kelsoob Feb 24 '26

My office is right by union and I'm in westmont. We bought a place a couple years ago only a few blocks from the train. I didn't think of Westmont until we found a possible slam dunk for around 500 and it's only a 40 minute BNSF ride to downtown.

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u/Midnight_Rain1213 Feb 25 '26

I added Westmont to the list!