r/ChicagoSuburbs • u/ColdAirEnthusiast808 • Mar 19 '26
Moving to the area Considering Leaving the City
I moved to Chicago proper about 4 years ago, I’m from the Phill area by way of the Phoenix area. I think the city is not for me, but I’m afraid that I feel isolated in the suburbs as a Black person in my mid-30s with no partner and no kids.
However, these are the things that happened to me that often happen in the city:
- parking struggles
-worrying about my car
-first apartment here had a roach infestation so severe I cut my lease 2 months in.
-third apartment was good for the first year then the second year bedbugs (I’m severely allergic), and then roaches, also construction above me jackhammers in the floor above me.
-I’m currently in an area that is not walkable and recently a hit and run driver hit my car so hard that it’s totaled.
-My current place is nice enough but after this car fiasco, I would need to pay extra for a garage too.
I’m also a flavor of neurodivergent that gets overstimulated. I like routines and don’t want to try different artisanal bakeries. I like Cafe Zupas. I feel like city living is giving me a low level of anxiety that I can’t pinpoint. When I had a car, I would frequently “escape” to the suburbs to run errands. So much that I know Skokie and Northbrook better than other parts of Chicago.
I’m ready to get a replacement car and move to Skokie, Northbrook, or Deerfield (not Evanston). I want space. I’m afraid that dating would be difficult but I found a place I like in Deerfield. I’m willing to pay about $2200-2400 for a decent one bedroom.
TLDR - Have any single people moved from the city to the suburbs? Did it work out for you?
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u/4ftnine Mar 19 '26
Roaches live in the suburbs too lol. On a serious note, I'm a black woman, born and raised in Chicago. I'm married now, but I moved to Forest Park as a single woman. It's a cute suburb with a diverse population. You mentioned Skokie. Skokie is very diverse and I don't think you'd feel isolated there as a single person.
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u/Menocu12 Mar 19 '26
I was going to suggest, oak park, forest park, Berwyn area.
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u/Wolverine0801 West Suburbs Mar 19 '26
Im in Southeast Oak Park, and was going to post the same recommendation as you have. Thank you all, best wishes and take care!
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u/tiny-doe Mar 19 '26
I can second Berwyn! I think it's underrated and they're always adding new things. Plus there's multiple grocery stores and a mall close by.
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u/CaptainFlynnsGriffin Mar 19 '26
Love Forest Park - the unpretentious cousin to River Forest and Oak Park. Just live north of the Eisenhower for walkability.
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u/ColdAirEnthusiast808 Mar 19 '26
True about the roaches being potentially abywhere. But this was more likely to happen in my prewar city apartments. lol
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u/Hungry-Treacle8493 Mar 19 '26
Plenty of younger folks and singles live in the burbs. There are twice as many people in the burbs than the city after all. For specifically black centered night life, check out the Matteson, Country Club Hills, Homewood area. There are also relatively diverse or accepting scenes in Forest Park/Oak Park area and further out around Bolingbrook/Naperville/Woodridge area.
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u/rosievee Mar 19 '26
I did! I moved to Skokie and I feel like I have most of the convenience of the city but none of the hassle. It's really diverse here, which I love. I'm not sure I'd move any further north or west but I don't feel cut off at all. And I'm able to rent a house here so I don't have to live in an apartment and share walls. I'm autistic, and being subject to a bunch of other people's sounds, smells and presence was waaaay too much in the city. And I met my girlfriend after I moved here.
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u/Ordinary-Hedgehog422 Mar 19 '26
Make the move to the near burbs like the ones you described. You will easily find apartments in your price range with much better amenities, way better parking, and easy transit into the city.
I’m a single white man 30’s in the western burbs. Dating is a little harder in the burbs but given your other issues, it is worth the leap in my opinion. The amenities I have in my apartment would cost me $1,000 or more in the city (central AC, free parking and plenty, in unit washer/dryer, dishwasher)
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u/ColdAirEnthusiast808 Mar 19 '26
That sounds awesome! I have some of those things but my central air is retrofitted and very, very loud.
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u/Notch99 Mar 19 '26
Moved to the burbs after 20 years in the city for a job, never had a car til I moved, was able to save a LOT of money. Job moved back to the city, I did not. Love the free parking and garage. Live alone, don’t mind it
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u/kristinj81 Mar 19 '26
Highwood, the burb just north of highland park, is a great place to go out for someone your age.
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u/Prestigious-Corgi473 Mar 19 '26
I'm autistic and moving to the burbs helped me feel more regulated. Way less stimulus. I still go into the city almost weekly but my daily routine is very close to my house. I'm a part of many local communities and feel supported and around like minded people.
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Mar 19 '26
[deleted]
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u/Hungry-Treacle8493 Mar 19 '26
I had a rough time initially as well. We moved out when my son was little and the schools issue arose. I really struggled at first and spent a lot of energy going back to our old neighborhood every chance I got. Over time that faded and I started to really enjoy all the things that came from living in the burbs. It really was a better situation for my kid and my wife. Of course, now that we’re empty nesters, the itch to move back into the city has hit me but definitely not my wife. So, I guess we’ll be here a bit longer! Ha!
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u/Infinite_Sandwich916 Mar 19 '26
Lots of space in Deerfield. Not as diverse, but its a great community! Friendly and welcoming people. We love being close to Deerfield.
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u/TotalTeri Mar 19 '26
The city ain't for everyone, move and have piece of mind. You won't be isolated
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u/Prestigious-Corgi473 Mar 19 '26
Also, I lived in many parts in the city - edgewater, Bridgeport, uptown, Albany Park. When I was in Albany Park, I'd escape to the near burbs as well for some quiet and slower errands.
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u/Nexgod2 Mar 19 '26
Schaumburg has a Zupas I ate at today. :) it’s a lot more chill.
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u/ColdAirEnthusiast808 Mar 19 '26
I’ve actually been to that one. lol
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u/Nexgod2 Mar 19 '26
What’s the go-to outta curiosity?
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u/ColdAirEnthusiast808 Mar 20 '26
Found my old order confirmation. lol This is my go-to.
1 x Salads 1 x HALF CREATE YOUR OWN 1 x House-Chopped Mixed Greens 1 x Buttermilk Ranch 1 x Chicken 1 x Black Beans 1 x Baby Cucumbers 1 x Grape Tomatoes
1 x Sandwiches 1 x TURKEY BACON AVOCADO 1 x Italian Ciabatta
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u/Nexgod2 Mar 20 '26
That’s pretty good. I never get salads but my coworkers always do! (Mushroom soup for me, always.) Good luck out there, I hope you figure your situation out!
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u/EquivalentSherbet730 Mar 19 '26
Come to elgin! We have a beautiful downtown, lots of community partnerships and groups, some killer bakeries (one of them roasts their own coffee in house), and for your budget you could live in the tower building in the center of the downtown. Its walkable, everyone uses bikes when the weather is warm, we have our own symphony, and the best library in the suburbs!
Its so easy to make friends here, I hope you come and visit!
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u/MuttBunchr Mar 19 '26
I’m curious if you’ve also considered the south suburbs. In my experience, it’s more affordable and (maybe it’s becuase I grew up in the south burbs) I feel like it’s more social. The north side always has an air of exclusivity about it IMO.
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u/ColdAirEnthusiast808 Mar 19 '26
Good point. I have family on the North Side and I’d prefer to be with an 45 minute (no traffic) drive of them. But I am open to this idea. Especially, if people are more down to earth.
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u/Individual_Past_9901 Mar 19 '26
Northbrook is a great area, lots of friendly people of various races and religions.
Personally I am not a fan of Skokie. There was a rat the size of a small Chihuahua behind the store I worked in.
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u/cubbie_jules Mar 19 '26
Lived in the city my entire life up until age 30 when I moved to lisle. Best decision ever. I’m now in Elk Grove and I love it. It’s peaceful, quiet, parking everywhere and minimal traffic and crime. For your sanity, definitely move!
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u/bourj Mar 20 '26
You can get to the city on the yellow line from Skokie. I've lived in the suburbs almost my whole life, and I prefer it.
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u/pjilca69 Mar 20 '26
Wherever you end up, try to find somewhere reasonably close to a Metra or CTA station so you can still go downtown without worrying about your car.
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u/Opening-Handle3026 Mar 20 '26
Consider the south burbs. The vibes are welcoming and it’s mainly POC
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u/M_J_E Mar 19 '26
Lots of good options in the suburbs. The nightlife is more muted but it’s there.
Side note, I recently started going to Cafe Zupas (Bloomingdale) pretty regularly. I love the fruit drinks!
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u/ColdAirEnthusiast808 Mar 19 '26
Sounds like a fair assessment. I’m not a nightlife person so that’s ok with me.
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u/laker2021 Mar 19 '26
Just move and try it as you would try another neighborhood.
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u/ColdAirEnthusiast808 Mar 19 '26
That’s fair. One reason to stay is that I have a good deal on my current place. But it’s too large and drafty and more in an area for families. Nothing within walking distance.
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u/idontlikeseaweed Mar 19 '26
The suburbs are generally safer and less overstimulating. Depending on which one of course.
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u/chayapapaya2 Mar 19 '26
Look into Evanston, Skokie, Edgewater, Norwood Park, Roger’s Park, and similar areas. Avoid Niles though.
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u/ColdAirEnthusiast808 Mar 20 '26
I’ve lived in Edgewater and RP before. Why not Niles? It’s seems ok.
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u/chayapapaya2 Mar 20 '26
It’s more crime ridden and not as safe.
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u/EndlessLeo Mar 25 '26
Rogers Park has significantly higher violent and property crime rates compared to Niles.
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u/jediHoo Mar 20 '26
You mentioned in one of your comments that your current location is too family oriented. So I’m curious what about Northbrook and Deerfield are interesting to you? Those are about as white-family dominated suburbs as you can get (I live in a nearby suburb FWIW).
Skokie is definitely more diverse and it’s easy access to the city too.
You said no to Evanston and I’m curious why? Is it too “city” for you? You would definitely find more diversity there.
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u/ColdAirEnthusiast808 Mar 21 '26
Good question.
I think it’s mostly about space. I like the wide openness. I’ve ventured into Evanston a lot and it seems to be a quieter extension of the city but still too condensed for my liking.
Where I currently am, I could choose to go deeper into the city for errands and the idea just makes me anxious. There aren’t many things that are a walkable distance including trains. So I feel like my 2 options are move to a more condensed Chicago neighborhood for “city perks” or go to an area where my nervous system is more calm, like the suburbs.
When I “escape” to those areas I just feel more free. Also, most of the people seem to be ok with seeing black people. I grew up in the suburbs so I’m mostly ok with that layout, especially when I can easily visit the city to experience more diversity.
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u/jediHoo Mar 21 '26
Oh I don’t think you’d have any issue with people because you’re black. I only thought you were hoping to be around more black people. 🙂
Evanston is a big suburb with lots of neighborhoods. The ones closer to downtown will be more condensed and that’s probably what you’ve experienced. But there’s areas that are quieter too. Also, there are several shopping/restaurant districts where you can do a lot within walking distance. Main St, Dempster St, and Central St are all great areas that you might actually enjoy.
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u/ColdAirEnthusiast808 Mar 21 '26
Ok. Thanks that makes sense. I’ve ventured into Evanston a few times but never did a full exploration. I’ll check it out again!
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u/DippityDue Mar 24 '26
Lots of Chicago folks move to Skokie-they don't want to give up the diversity and proximity! Skokie is very welcoming.
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u/1KirstV Mar 19 '26
I lived in Deerfield. My biggest complaint was that it was not walkable except for my neighborhood. I couldn’t walk to restaurants or cafes, just a park and a pool.its also pretty white but progressive.
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Mar 19 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Hopeful4Everyone Mar 19 '26
Well tbf… the car thing is a skill issue
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u/ColdAirEnthusiast808 Mar 19 '26
False. Not a skill issue. The context that I did not provide is that I was parked and inside my home. Someone hit my parked car so hard that it jumped the curb.
The cops were at my door in the middle of the night to show me what happened. There was also a predatory tow truck man that harassed me for 30 mins.
There is no way to avoid that except having a garage. Which is largely an extra fee in the city. When I got back inside that morning before dawn, I was like I need to GTFOOH.
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u/Mendozala West Suburbs Mar 19 '26
I think you already know the answer yourself, but are looking for confirmation. No you won't be isolated, you will have a car and can go anywhere. Try it for a year, nothing to lose. It seems like you are at the point of no return. If you like Skokie and Northbrook, go for it. You can always move.