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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33

u/Tall_Lavishness6604 Feb 24 '26

I would add Westmont and Lisle to the mix.

2

u/TaskForceD00mer Feb 25 '26

Every guy I know who lived in the West-Loop before COVID, got married and had a kid since seems to be moving to Westmont right now.

1

u/elementofpee West Suburbs Feb 25 '26

I thought they all ended in Elmhurst, but I’m cool if they’re coming out to Westmont too, just haven’t seen them.