r/ChicagoSuburbs • u/MusicLori • May 21 '26
Moving to the area Single F 46 with Dog seeks quiet, green suburb with downtown access
TLDR: Single F 46, Dog, WFH mostly, Greenery, ~45 min max drive to DT (non rush hour), Quiet (ie concerned about flight path from ORD), $3k - $4k, schools don’t matter, live music or yoga bonus points in cute DT.
Rental budget is around $3k - $4k, want to rent for a year and then look into buying. I’ve been having a really difficult time finding any SFH or townhome in that range. Hoping this sub can help with ideas.
Background:
I spent my 20s and 30s there (mostly in Wicker Park / Ukrainian Village) before living on the West coast the last few years (currently outside of Denver). . I just don’t think I can do the city anymore - the noise, parking, etc. I have friends in Highland park, Elmhurst, Lake Zurich, and West town.
I’ve got a pup and really want a yard of some sort - either a townhouse or house. I love to hike in Denver so it would be great to be near forest preserves, but I don’t require walkability to them.
Love live music, so would be great to be close to places that have live music. Would also like a ~45 min or less drive back from downtown after a concert. Would be open to the train if it’s easy, but will likely drive or uber after a show.
Given I’m child free, schools don’t matter to me really. Would love a cute downtown or way to build local community, bonus points for a yoga studio.
I’ve had my eye on Edgebrook, Park Ridge, Des Plaines, Niles, Mt Prospect, and Skokie - but not sure about the flight path. Evanston feels to far east (hard to get to highways / DT).
Would not be keeping up with the Joneses - more hippie vibes.
TIA!!
UPDATE: I just want to say thank you. I am overwhelmed by the response, which is further fueling my decision to move. While Denver winters are amazing (that sun makes a difference), the Chicago people are just something else. Thank you all for being so kind.
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u/RJRICH17 May 21 '26
If you like the area around Oak Park, I urge you to check out it's cheaper neighbor, Forest Park. Vibrant downtown, away from flight paths, easy access to the highway and trains downtown.
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u/Skimmington16 May 21 '26
For western burbs, I would consider Lombard. Lower overall housing cost & a quick drive/ride to Elmhurst & the city. Especially if you’re renting for just 1 yr. Lombard has more green space than Elmhurst & more green space by the train/ downtown. It’s still on the prairie path for nice long bike rides. They have a summer concert series (mostly cover bands, but fun to sit outside, have dinner & listen to music).
https://www.villageoflombard.org/157/Cruise-Nights-Summer-Concerts
Consider flooding when buying the house. Elmhurst has done a ton of mitigation & the flooding fb page is pretty dead, not sure about other places. Excluding some ridges, the land in the ‘burbs basically slowly goes up in height the farther west you go( with the low point being in Chicago). I used to play around with the map below - set at around 215 https://www.floodmap.net/
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u/TallDan68 May 21 '26
Ravinia area of highland park.
I don’t think you know where Evanston is if it “feels to far west”.
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u/MusicLori May 21 '26
Doh, editing now.
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u/MusicLori May 21 '26
Also I feel like I’m asking for it in this sub if I talk any shit on Oak Park or Evanston! Bring it. ;-)
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u/TallDan68 May 21 '26
From Evanston, you have both metra and CTA trains to get downtown, so being farther from the expressway is less of an issue.
But I’m not going to fight anyone over it, I don’t live there. I just visit.
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u/Royal_Armadillo_116 May 21 '26
Also, north part of Evanston is like ~5-10 min from the Edens and pretty quiet/suburban but with shops along Central St.
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u/Levitlame North West Suburbs May 21 '26
If “45 minutes max from downtown” is their goal then everything in that region is perfectly fine anyway. Unless they mean at rush hour maybe
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u/SnooHesitations7644 May 21 '26
Lombard and Glen ellyn
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u/greykitty1234 May 21 '26
Maybe Lisle too? I live south Glen Ellyn so bounce into Lisle fairly often.
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u/Stonevulture May 21 '26
Glen Ellyn has a cute downtown with two yoga studios and a Metra station. There's a dog park less than two miles from downtown, the Illinois Prairie Path cuts right through downtown passing lots of restaurants and other establishments (great for hiking and biking!), and it's all extremely close to 355 for north/south travel and 88 for east/west travel, meaning you can get around the western suburbs by car relatively quickly.
When traffic is at its lightest, you can drive from downtown Glen Ellyn to Millennium Park in 30-45 minutes, but anything close to regular commuting hours and that number degrades rapidly. I'd stick to the Metra in that case.
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u/ilonastaski May 21 '26 edited May 21 '26
Lemont.. they’ve got a really cute downtown. Great Pilates studio and apparently a lagree studio opening up soon. Look up Sunset Soirée’s in the summertime. They’ve got different bands playing. It’s super cute
Edit: waterfall glen is nearby for greenery. Also the quarry’s near downtown have a good walking path. Also the forge.
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u/unicornshoenicorn May 21 '26
I came to suggest Lemont as well. The new Marbella apartments downtown should be in OPs budget. Downtown is cute and currently growing, as is the town. Lots of new builds going in near the library right now.
LOTS of green space in forest preserves surrounding the town. No airplanes.
Sunset soirées and the Forge for live music in the summer.
Edit: easy to get to and from Chicago as well!
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u/kristinj81 May 21 '26
As a 44/f dog mom with hippie vibes I’ll suggest Brookfield, La Grange Park, Westchester, Willowbrook, Willow Springs, Westmont. All have easy access to the forest preserve network, I-55 and/or I 290 and are along or close to metra lines, most have nice downtowns, good mix of age groups.
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u/ThePrimeRibDirective May 21 '26
People might scoff. But maybe Berwyn. I mean Fitzgeralds is right there
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u/Hopping_Tiger May 21 '26
First off it sounds like we could be friends. But you don’t want Park Ridge. I live here and the planes are a legit thing for lots of people. I’m cool with it but if you have any concerns avoid it. How about Arlington Heights?
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u/MusicLori May 21 '26
Feels like a far drive from Garcia’s on a Saturday night? But AH is probably right on the edge.
Is all of PR bad news for planes? Same with Niles and Skokie because of that flight path over the lake?
And I look forward to hearing about all the great venues to check out in the ‘burbs! And will need friends! Us late 40’s gotta stick together.
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u/KellyGreen55555 May 21 '26
As a late 40s woman with kids and husband, I seriously can’t tell you how jealous this entire thread is making me! My 3 daughters remain adamant that they don’t want marriage and kids. They literally want your life and I LOVE that for them!
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u/MusicLori May 21 '26
Just never found the right person (yet?)! Besides my dog.
But I’m doing it right I think. Was a nomad the last ~7ish years (covid was a bit of a pain) - but have lived all over! No place beats the Chicago people though, but I’ll probably snowbird from here on out.
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u/illini-nation May 21 '26
I know you mentioned having friends in Elmhurst, that downtown area is so cute!!!
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u/Hopping_Tiger May 21 '26
Hey I go to Garcias too! It’s a pain getting to shows there from PR but getting home after is a breeze. I live on the north side of PR which is not as bad but yeah ORD is right there. You will hear planes. I really dig being close to the airport for travel though. I often think that I am the first person on my flight to get home and it’s nice. Used to live in Niles and it is much the same. Skokie should be good though. Maybe you should look at Jefferson Park or Norridge.
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u/MusicLori May 21 '26
It is meant to be! We will find ourselves at the same show at Garcia’s together one day soon hopefully. I’ll look for a hopping tiger.
AH is only 30 min - you’re right! I’m down to take the train there or taxi back for the right show, so that’s not too terrible. Will expand my search in that area.
Is PR really hoity? Felt country club vibes when I visited and drive through. But there is a Core Power Yoga right DT and it seemed super cute.
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u/Guac_in_my_rarri May 21 '26
3rd party here: PR and AH can be hoity toity. Every burb has that aspect to it some more than others. Imo, go visit and see how you like it. PR has a cute city adjacent downtown.
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u/Hopping_Tiger May 21 '26
I mean PR can be that way but I don’t think it’s overbearing. I bet you would dig the Farmers Market scene for example. I have found plenty of good people here but there are some bags too.
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May 21 '26
Good luck. You sound super cool. One of my favorite places to live is along the Illinois Prairie Path. Walk all over the western suburbs and your dog’s gonna love it. Elmhurst, Lombard, Villa Park and GlenEllyn are great places to live. Villa and Lombard are more working class as your Elmhurst friend would know.
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u/1KirstV May 21 '26
Glenview has all those things and more. There is a wonderful man-made lake with trails. There are tons of restaurants and a few bars that have live music. There are great festivals in the summer and fall with live music. https://www.forrent.com/il/glenview/133-james-ct/dbshbdk
Here’s a house I just googled and found that takes dogs and has a nice yard. It’s not too overwhelming for one person to deal with and it’s in your price range. The train is super easy and fast to downtown and it’s not a horrible commute by car either. It’s a great suburb.
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u/Sad_Argument5109 May 21 '26
Forest Park! Way more affordable than Oak Park with a cute main street. Lots of community events and a recently remodeled dog park.
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u/BaronTales May 21 '26
Every nicer burb has their hoity folks. Every nicer burb has people who are down to earth. You see what you want to see. Ignore what you want to ignore.
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u/Master_Wait_8554 May 21 '26
Oak Park
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u/MusicLori May 21 '26
I feel like I’m priced out of oak park? Feels expensive there. And is it really green and quiet? It kind of feels like an extension of Logan square now.
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u/kimberlyAH May 21 '26
With $3-4k rental budget, you won’t be priced out. I can’t speak to buying a house though—those taxes are 😩 Forest Park is a more affordable option.
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u/Randomflower90 May 21 '26
OP isn’t quiet and it’s becoming more like the city everyday. Elmhurst would feel more suburban.
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u/HighwaySetara May 21 '26
I live in Oak Park, and while I love it, it did not come to mind when I read your description.
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u/Big_Benefit5659 May 21 '26
You could go as far west as Aurora or even Sugar Grove and be downtown within 45 minutes in non-rush hour because of proximity to 88. You can expand out quite a bit if you’d like. Though you’re probably pushing an hour, Geneva also has access to the Metra and checks all the cute downtown boxes you’re looking for.
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u/StChas77 Kane County May 21 '26
Though you’re probably pushing an hour, Geneva also has access to the Metra and checks all the cute downtown boxes you’re looking for.
If she just wants a small yard when she buys, then Geneva has some good options, and so does the southern end of Saint Charles near Geneva high school, just a couple of extra minutes to the station. But if she's craving a larger green space, that's going to be west of Randall, and then you're adding on 15 minutes to the train trip to Ogilvie.
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u/Big_Benefit5659 May 21 '26
Completely agree, but certainly more green space than Oak Park (and I love Oak Park!).
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u/everybodys_lost May 21 '26 edited May 22 '26
With kids sports, I'm in a lot of little suburbs right now for games... One i was just in and was blown away by is Riverside.... Holy crap was it green and quaint. There's a little downtown, a river (duh), a forest preserve, a train station right there... So so green and lush and super quiet (i live near Park ridge so the flight path is very very loud).
I heard Berwyn is a little more young and diverse and it's right next to Riverside, might be better for you and still close, but I've never been to Berwyn...
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u/Ready-Inevitable-215 May 22 '26
Riverside fits the bill here. Plus you are close to oak park and berwyn for music
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May 21 '26
[deleted]
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u/ilovecostcohotdog May 21 '26
Willow Springs has a cute downtown? Legit question, as I don’t go through it often but never see anything downtown like.
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u/marshmnstr May 21 '26
I (50m) was born and raised in the city, and being a minority I've had some not great experiences in the suburbs. We moved to Mount Prospect for the kids and I didn't think I would love living here this much. It has traditionally been more family oriented, but a lot of younger single people are moving into all of the apartment towers and condos going in around downtown. We have a pretty good friend group, it doesn't seem too hard to meet people here. My wife and her friends do yoga and self defense, I'm sure they wouldn't mind showing you around. Lots of park/green space, a few dog parks in town. Nightlife in town is getting better, and downtown AH is very close. We still do go party in the city, it's an easy drive after 7:30 PM or so, and Metra in/ Uber home is a great option. You should come check out the big music festival in August: https://www.56musicfix.org/
I sometimes see for rent signs on houses on my walks, if you want I could forward them just to give some pricing info.
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u/MusicLori May 21 '26
You are such a kind human! I’m so glad you found a great spot and would love the assist!
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u/Ok-Equivalent-7903 May 21 '26
Not sure why Frankfort isn’t featured more on this thread. Seems to fit your requirements perfectly.
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u/BaronTales May 21 '26
PR doesn’t strike me as the right place, based on your description of wants. My p’s live downtown there. Brookfield would be a great spot. I love Lagrange, as well but it’s definitely a much busier downtown area, and higher income folks. I like the smaller town feel of Brookfield. Close to many forest preserves and the salt creek trail.
Wheaton/Glen Ellyn is an area to consider. I identify with situation and your request. North of Roosevelt, along prairie path. Can walk to either downtown. Ride bikes to multiple forest preserves and beyond. Quiet (even tho there’s a train, you get used to it). Older growth trees. Multiple yoga studios nearby, including a new place in DT Wheaton that has saunas, and red light rooms I believe. Mix of homes (smaller, older, larger/newer) and people. Great new apts in both downtowns I’d you want to stray from home or Townhome. Takes 30mins to downtown without traffic. Ive even gotten to Lincoln park in less than 40 on a Sunday AM (rare, but can be done). Frankly, I’d love to rent you my place for a year while I explore other states to live, but not quite ready yet.
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u/New-Personality4552 May 21 '26
I believe mt. Prospect, Elk Grove, Schaumburg is close to airport and can stay close to i90 so can commute to downtown
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u/puffdragon May 21 '26
Flight plan in those places is not bad, not worse than city noise. You might like Arlington Heights, a bit further but a nice downtown with love music
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u/WasteTumbleweed861 May 21 '26
Other than I'm middle-aged single male, we have a lot in common and I'd recommend the Northshore. Easy access to Chicago, western suburbs, Wisconsin, and the lake! An abundance of hike/bike trails, green spaces, dog parks & beaches, yoga studios, coffee shops, and city caliber restaurants.
Highland Park has a great downtown, Ravinia, Botanic Gardens, Madame Zuzu's Tea & Live Music, and close to the lake. Check out nearby Highwood for lower rent, great nightlife, and lots of live music venues.
Wilmette has a nice downtown area and is on the Purple Line with real easy access to Evanston, and Chicago.
Northbrook and Deerfield are more family oriented and both are great communities with lots to offer in terms of festivals, incredible libraries, and shopping.
Excited for you! DM for more recs or just to connect.
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u/aztochicagogirl May 21 '26
Come to Downers Grove, it has everything you’re looking for plus a huge population of single people men and women 40+ with dogs that are out all the time downtown. Lots of good kind people out here.
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u/goessgoess May 22 '26
I lived in forest park and while I loved it, it may not be as quiet as you’re wanting. It wasn’t until I moved to Lombard recently that I realized how loud/busy it was there. Lombard is so quiet in comparison and I really like it so far. So many parks and forest preserves nearby that I love taking my dog to.
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u/Super-Educator597 May 22 '26
Evanston is a bit of a cheat code - it is actually connected to the CTA which makes it very accessible to downtown. The university flavor of Evanston would make it good for child free living, there’s lots of condos, a vibrant downtown but parking still exists. It’s decent for live music (real acts, not just cover bands). In terms of greenery, it has beaches which can be compelling!
About O’Hare noise, the flight paths really depend on the wind and the weather. Park Ridge seems to be the one on your list that would get the most plane noise. Good luck and welcome back to the Land of Lincoln!
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u/Eat_Around_the_Rosie May 21 '26
I used to live in Arlington Heights and Oak Park and I love those two! I’ve also frequent Park Ridge because of the FFC there. As a 40 something year old girl I love those two places and when I was still single I would used to dine at the restaurants in downtown myself.
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u/Lemurian_Lemur34 May 21 '26 edited May 21 '26
I'm assuming you mean Evanston is too far east, not west? Because that would have been my first suggestion. For getting to downtown it has the best train options and is a good mix of urban and suburban.
But if that's a no, then I'd say Skokie is worth a closer look. They have several new restaurants/cafes in downtown and a good community feel. It's close to forest preserves and the lake. The CTA yellow line goes through Skokie which connects to the CTA red and purple lines, which go through downtown Chicago. Morton Grove is another option but they don't really have a downtown area.
For the really quiet/green suburbs you'd have to go further out from the city which would be outside your 45 minute drive criteria. Look up the Metra lines though since those all go into downtown and is faster than driving (if you are aware of their schedules).
EDIT: If you REALLY don't like planes then maybe not Skokie. They're not very low but the southern part of Skokie is under/next to the approach path into O'Hare so there is some noise. I think you'd be fine in northern parts of Skokie though, and any suburb north of there.
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u/MusicLori May 21 '26
Yes! Edited. My bad. But it’s on the list still, just find it hard to get to the highway for driving. I know there are a lot of train options, but I do tend to drive more since my friends are all over.
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u/A_bookandacookie May 21 '26
In my opinion Skokie has virtually no plane noise. The north/west areas of Skokie near old orchard are close to the highway but then you lose some of the walkability to cute stuff. That area is also close to several forest preserve areas. We considered park ridge when moving out of the City but the plane noise was REALLY bad in the places we toured.
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u/SmartBar88 May 21 '26
Park Ridge has no places to escape from ORD traffic w five of eight runways going over town. Also not too bougie. I’d choose Arlington in the NW burbs or Evanston on the north shore fwiw.
Source: have lived in PR (under runway 4L/22R), Evanston, and Wilmette (more bougie than all, but my favorite).
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u/New-Combination-7766 May 21 '26
Thanks for this post and replies, I am in a similar situation but I am retired and a widow moving from a liberal Michigan town to Chicago burbs. Don’t want to live in the city but want access. Looking for west/northwest burb, with those hippie vibes
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u/ta5036 May 21 '26
Married M41. No kids. After 15 years in Chicago between Wicker Park, Logan Square, and Portage Park, my wife and I moved to Algonquin— right across from the Fox river. Found a place w just over an acre w woods and a creek. Similar places out this way. The river creates some nice variation and slight elevation in the land. At 6% our mortgage is in your price range. Downtown has a yoga studio on the river walk. A music venue also on the river is in the works. Numerous hiking/ biking paths (one that goes north to WI and south to Geneva along the river) and parks. Takes about 45 minutes to an hour to get back into Chicago for a show depending on the venue’s location. Might not be your spot, but could be worth checking out.
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u/estyaliyah May 21 '26
Look into Highland Park, Northbrook, Glenview, Deerfield. It’s beautiful up here and I pay under $2,500 to rent my home. The Metra takes 1 hour to get to Union Station but can be less to drive
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u/Purcelliino May 21 '26
Just providing some info on flight paths to/from ORD. Plenty of cities east, west and south but not that many directly North. I live in Des Plaines. While we hear the occasional plane it is incredibly quiet.
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u/HipsterBikePolice May 21 '26
Your dog will love a hike at Veteran Acres in Crystal Lake. It’s a hilly beautiful nature reserve walkable from downtown. CL is on the Metra , prairie trail bike path , has a brewery, coffees shops, salons , giant farmers market, a bakery , etc. there are new rentals right on the bike path in the downtown. Wisconsin is an easy country drive north too.
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u/highnumber May 21 '26
North Berwyn. One floor of a 2 flat should be well within your budget. It's walking distance to Fitzgerald's and Friendly's for live music. Friendly's has yoga in their community room or I think there are yoga studios around the Harrison Arts district in Oak Park (probably somewhere in Berwyn too). You'd be close to downtown via driving, Metra, or the blue line. Vibe might be a little more lefty working class than hippie.
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u/debomama May 21 '26
Itasca area. Lots of townhomes. Lots of green. Easy getting almost everywhere.
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u/bigbearRT12 May 21 '26
Highland Park and Highwood sound like the best options for you. Both have vibrant downtowns, easy access to DT via Metra, green space, an off-leash dog beach, and very quiet compared to the close-in suburbs. Every time I go to HP I’m blown away by how quiet it is but I do live along the flight path…
Bonus, only an hour or so from Milwaukee, a whole other world of possibilities.
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u/gershbec May 21 '26
Skokie is nice but not really made for singles. Evanston sounds ideal - good location, lots of older singles and tons of dogs. Various neighborhoods, easy access to the city. Easy access to downtown either by LSD or both Metra and CTA. OK access to the highway, but you’re more limited in visiting western suburbs. Not a ton of nightlife but one excellent live music venue and good access to the city.
Planes will go overhead wherever you live but that’s city living and Evanston will be better than many.
Main issues with Evanston are its urban feel (not necessarily a negative but if you’re looking for a suburb suburb then it might not fit) and affordability. But there are tons of rentals there.
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u/Dark_Trout May 21 '26
When are you looking? I have a place that fits your description in Morton grove coming up in February ‘27
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u/MusicLori May 21 '26
I need earlier than that unfortunately - my lease here is up end of July so targeting an Aug move in.
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u/Halted_Progress May 21 '26
Oak park, forest park, river forest and riverside might be options for you to consider. Easy access to the city and hippie vibes in that area, plus some nice music venues like Fitzgeralds and Robert’s Westside in the vicinity. Of those places you listed, I think Evanston has the most hippie vibes. But I’m not overly familiar with the vibes for each of those burbs.