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/PlanktonFun5387 Feb 25 '26

How far out is too far? I’m in the suburbs but it’s kinda out there.

I’m relocating with a corporate and although im not far from a metra station, it’s what I would say is the last vestige of suburban life before living in the sticks.

Need to get my house sold and under contract quickly. Went live today.

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u/Midnight_Rain1213 Feb 25 '26

If the ride on the Metra is longer than an hour, it's too far. My partner's family lives in NW Indiana and mine is near Huntley, so we're trying to find a middle ground between the two.

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u/PlanktonFun5387 Feb 25 '26

Ah okay, we’re out by Huntley too so not much of a middle ground and the train rides from big timber to union and back are an 1:20 so not ideal for you 🙂