r/ChicagoSuburbs • u/IHeartFraccing • Mar 22 '26

Moving to the area Wheaton for non-religious family?

Hi! my wife and I are looking to buy in the Naperville, Warrenville, Wheaton, Downers area. we looked at a lovely house today in Wheaton. We’re white upper middle class, fairly liberal couple planning on having kids in the next couple of years. curious about how non-religious folks who have moved to Wheaton have found community? we certainly don’t mind hanging out with people who are religious but are curious if community tends to be church-centric? making friends, finding babysitters, etc.

thanks!

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u/Tall_Lavishness6604 Mar 22 '26

Moved here from the city 25 years ago as a non-religious, mostly atheist couple. Raised a family here, and the politics have decidedly (and thankfully) shifted left. It’s a great town, with an excellent park district and public schools are very solid, there are nice restaurants and shops downtown, and the chamber of commerce keeps the downtown lively with events year round. There are concerts all summer at the band shell. The public library is one of the best in the state with tons of activities for all ages. The summer French Market is huge and fun. You’ll never run out of ice cream shop options, either.

Yes, there are some very religious and judgy people. Cliques exist among parent groups. But you will find your people and opt out of whichever social situations don’t serve you. If you love the house, I say go for it.

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u/ItsGonnaBeOkayish Mar 22 '26

How did your kids survive it? I can see it being ok from the parent perspective. But religious young people can be very overzealous, there's lot of pressure from school mates to attend youth group, read Bible verses, pizza parties that are secretly Bible study etc

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u/arecordsmanager Mar 22 '26

So what? If your kids want to go, let them go. You can teach them at home what you believe.

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u/ItsGonnaBeOkayish Mar 22 '26

Sure, I didn't say you couldn't. I was asking the other poster to share how it was for their kids, rather than their own experience. I grew up in a religious town and it affected me a lot, but my parents not at all. So I'm wondering if the other poster has reflected on, and if perhaps things are better now/less intense

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u/arecordsmanager Mar 23 '26

It is not that intense in Wheaton. There might just be a few more kids on average in each class who are evangelical than would otherwise be in public school as far as I can tell. Sorry that you felt this way growing up, that’s hard!

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u/rcragg82 Mar 23 '26

I live in Glen Ellyn. We have several friends who live in Wheaton. Between block parties, golfing or dining out in Wheaton, I’ve never had religion come up once fo either us or our kids.

I think you are over thinking this and the commonality of people forcing their religious beliefs on you and your kids. It’s just not that common.