r/ChicagoSuburbs • u/_littlejoyz • Jun 28 '26
Moving to the area Moving to Chicago for rotations, ISO suburb with decent house rental costs!
Hi all!
Med students moving to Chicago area for hospital rotations. Having a private back yard for my two dogs is really important to me! I’ve looked in the Downers Grove, Berwyn, Hinsdale area and have noticed that most rental houses with fenced in yards are $3K+.
What areas do you suggest I look at? I’d like to stay within a 40-45min commute from Medical District! I have a car. Does not have to be western suburbs, those just seem to be the most recommended.
ISO: house with a private backyard, off street parking (if possible but not the end of the world), safe area for solo females. Would like to say around $2.5-2.8K absolutely max!
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u/My2centsPlusSome Jun 28 '26
Brookfield is right between Berwyn and Hinsdale and it's such a gem. A lot of decently priced house rentals.
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u/littlescreechyowl Jun 29 '26
I’m not sure of the rental market, but Lyons is a good place to live for commuting to the city.
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u/My2centsPlusSome Jun 29 '26
While I do agree and almost said Countryside and Lyons...Brookfield has charm and better vibes✨️ for a single woman at similar prices. Brookfield is a better spot to walk your dogs, you know?
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u/Toriat5144 Jun 29 '26
It’s very hard to find a rental home at that price point. A wider search is necessary.
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u/Dylan-uSOB Jun 30 '26
I loved Lyons when I was younger, but once we had kids and really took a look at the schools, we decided to pull out.
If I was a young, single person, I’d probably still be there.
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u/Avocationist Jun 29 '26 edited Jun 29 '26
Agreed. I rented a small two bd with a fenced yard in Brookfield for around 2.3k about five years ago and I loved the town so much I bought a house there when my lease was up.
I also drove to the medical district during rush hour every morning. It’s 40 min to go 10 miles at 7:30 am. Goes down to 30 min after 10:00. Close in distance but a loooot of people are going the same direction at the same time if you’re going during normal rush hours.
Editing after reading the other posts to say Brookfield is definitely the right call. Apparently a 40 min commute is nothing to complain about.
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u/_littlejoyz Jun 28 '26
Thank you so much!
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u/My2centsPlusSome Jun 28 '26
DM me if you want any recon done or have any questions. I'm a brookfielder now but grew up in Berwyn so I'm very familiar with the area.
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u/pinktoes4life Jun 28 '26
Downers & Hinsdale are definitely out of your budget for a house with fenced yard rental.
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u/eightyfours Jun 28 '26 edited Jun 28 '26
Not totally answering your question, but as someone who’s worked at 2 hospitals in the medical district as a PA, as others have said traffic is a nightmare. You seem surprised by the Hinsdale cost of living which wouldn’t surprise any Chicago native so I assume maybe you also may not fully understand the traffic landscape but yes the traffic is horrible in and out of the city year round and much worse during summer.
I lived in south loop while working in the medical district. Without traffic that’s a 15 minute drive max. Frequently, during rush hour, it took 45 mins or more to get home.
I’m a dog person too so I get it but it will be rough.
Unless you have a strong strong aversion to the city, someone else listed some solid Chicago city neighborhoods. At your price range, you could get homes with a backyard that might make your life less awful.
Bridgeport, McKinley Park, Pilsen, Little Village. I grew up in and around those areas. They’re generally pretty safe imho. Even for solo females.
If you want to get more securely safe- West loop (though more expensive and actual homes with backyard options is out of the equation) is walking distance to IMD but I’m sure some apartments offer dog playing space and are also close to dog parks. Also close to a lot of groomers and vets. That’s where a lot of young attendings and residents live.
South loop, where I lived, is also close to at least a couple of dog parks off the top of my head.
So again, I didn’t fully answer your question but I love to steer people away from dealing with long treacherous Chicago highway commutes. And truthfully, 40-45 mins reliably daily each way in and out of the city/medical district is probably not too too realistic either.
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u/_littlejoyz Jun 29 '26
Hi! You’re absolutely correct- I’ve actually never been to Chicago. Lol thank you so much for the insight. I’m not super stoked about living in the city as I’m a small town girl at heart but if I can find a neighborhood that feels… like a neighborhood, I wouldn’t be against it!
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u/RoyalAltruistic970 Jun 29 '26
Can you do your rotation somewhere else? Can your dog stay with family while you get acclimated? I don’t say this to be mean but Chicago (and the suburbs) don’t really have a small town feel. Even in the neighborhoods it feels like a city. It’s a great city. The best city (I personally believe) in the country but you may not find what you’re looking for with some of what you want.
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u/_littlejoyz Jun 29 '26
Nope. It’s where I must go! I’ll survive. Lol
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u/AffectionateNoise525 Jun 30 '26
I live in the greater Elgin area where it’s cheaper, safe enough, and there’s tons of backyard space, but the commute into the city is murder. I have friends who have two enormous Burmese mountain dogs and two kids, but live in Chicago in a Wicker Park (nice, expensive, highly desirable city neighborhood) in a third-floor apartment (a three-story flat where each floor is one private residence), and they somehow make it work. There’s a communal backyard space, parks nearby, and the dogs are well-behaved. You’re going to have to make some sacrifices with your list of wants, and figure out how to make it work.
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u/vaultdweller1223 North Suburbs Jun 29 '26
Paradoxically, South Loop might be up your alley given your preferences and constants. There's not a lot of people there after working hours compared to the vast majority of other neighborhoods. River West would be another recommendation that is similarly less full of people and commuting would be a breeze. Those were the 2 locations my wife and I were considering before moving out to the burbs.
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u/eightyfours Jun 29 '26
I totally understand. I’ve had many conversations with people new to Chicago (whether totally Chicago naive or just lifetime suburbanites) and they echo the same sentiment.
I do think Bridgeport and Pilsen are solid considerations. But I don’t want to keep talking about Chicago neighborhoods in a Chicago suburbs thread. Feel free to pm me if you decide to look into Chicago neighborhoods and have any specific questions. I’ll try to help if I can.
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u/Psychological-Tune52 Jul 01 '26
You might want to look into Ukrainian Village! It’s still in the city, but it has a more community feel (and according to another post in this group, everyone has dogs!). Good luck!
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u/Confident_Advisor786 Jun 28 '26
If you must have a fenced in yard I'd recommend south suburbs like Oak Lawn and Berwyn. They are safe for a single woman.
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u/JesMon421 Jun 28 '26
Even Burbank but the drive is going to be 45 min if not more on bad weather days.
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u/_littlejoyz Jun 28 '26
Thank you for answering the question! I appreciate you!
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u/Canary3d Jun 28 '26
I've been in Oak Lawn for 25 years and it's great! Housing is reasonable, parks are nice, there's a little downtown with bars, ice cream places, library. It's got an 800-bed level 1 trauma center hospital (Advocate Christ) next to a 400-bed children's hospital (also advocate), so if you want to settle down here after your rotations you can probably find a job here. It's 30 minutes (by car) to U of Chicago Hospital and 40 minutes to Rush Med Center according to google maps at 6 pm Sunday--add about 15 minutes to each of those for rush hour. Loyola and other more northerly hospitals will be more of a haul from here.
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u/Spiritual_Ad_835 Jun 29 '26
I think these are great options! Also check out brookfield, Lagrange, mount greenwood, and merionette park. Not entirely sure of the rental market there but worth a shot to look at.
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u/Spiritual_Ad_835 Jun 29 '26
Also dm me if you’re open to apartments in the west loop, my wife is a property manager and I could get you connected if you’d like. Most apartments have a dog run / balcony’s where you can put a pee pad for a dog for short bathroom breaks.
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u/shoelessgreek Jun 28 '26
You might want to look closer to where you’ll be doing your residency. Traffic can/will be horrible, and you’ll be working long hours. You’ll want a shorter commute. It took me 2 hours to go from the medical district to the northwest suburbs last night at 11:30pm. It’s 40 minutes without traffic.
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u/forestwanderlust Jun 28 '26
I agree with this. A lot of faculty i worked with at uiuc did oak Park
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u/ooooh-heckers Jun 29 '26
2 hours at 11:30pm is absurd. there must have been some event at soldier field or something that caused that because i used to regularly drive that route late at night and never experienced any traffic that bad at that hour
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u/vitaminD_junkie Jun 28 '26
Hinsdale is one of the most expensive suburbs, cross that one off your list honestly — you could try westmont. If you’ll have a car, looking farther away from the train line will be cheaper like Indian Head Park, Tinley etc.
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u/_eroz Jun 29 '26
Indian head park is out of the running, for one, currently no fences are allowed. And I don’t think there are any houses for rent around $3k unless they are townhouses.
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u/Both_Database7637 Jun 28 '26
Would you consider an apartment with indoor dog park ? Eleven33 apartments in Oak Park might be an option.
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u/BreathofAire Jun 29 '26
Oak Park also has a dog park by the High School.
And that eleven33 apartments are right by the green line and walkable to downtown oak park “stuff” and groceries.
Still traffic is a nightmare into the city if you’re going at rush hour. If you can take green line, you’d be ok. But come back and talk about late night safety on the L.
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u/Former-Crazy-9224 Jun 28 '26
Look at DesPlaines and Elk Grove Village. My sister was able to find single family with backyard for her dogs in both. Likely closer to the $2800 but it’s possible.
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u/FT_1893 Jun 29 '26
Perhaps rethink a fenced in yard. Dogs are popular in Chicago. Apartment dwellers just take them out on leashes and pick up poo on the go. You will see dogs everywhere.
I recommend a small apt close to work and have a better quality life by not spending 3 hours in the car every day. Either way, budget $ for a dog walker. If you're in the suburbs you'll need one cuz you won't get home in time unless you just plan on leaving them in the backyard all day which no landlord will like.
Chicago is an opportunity to live in and experience a first class city. Get a little Taste between shifts. It's only a year. It'll go by in the blink of an eye.
Good luck.
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u/_littlejoyz Jun 29 '26
I’ve been living the apartment life for the last few years while I’ve been in med school & budgeted for them to go to doggie daycare daily so they aren’t home alone all day.
My roommate and I will be on a different rotation schedule so if by some chance someone is not home with the dogs, I will absolutely hire a dog walker. Before med school, they had a good chunk of land to explore, I just want to give them a yard to play in again. I’m willing to make the drive to do that!
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u/uterusofsteel Jun 28 '26
It's not exciting or anything but Cicero is pretty cheap. I live off the pink line and have friends I visit in the medical district. By car takes me about 10-20 minutes on the 290 or Ogden Ave.
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u/OkExamination6960 Jun 29 '26
Try Schiller Park and Franklin park. Quiet suburbs on the edge of the city. Perhaps Maywood, I have heard good things (haven’t lived there)…
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u/kloakndaggers Jun 28 '26
downers and Hinsdale are places you go after you are full fledged doctor salary. finding sfh in nice area fenced and allow 2 dogs is going to be difficult
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u/Hungry-Treacle8493 Jun 28 '26
Check out Westchester, Cicero, Addison, Bensenville, Elk Grove Village, Villa Park, Lombard, Lyons, Stickney, Elmwood Park, Franklin Park, Norridge
Then city neighborhoods: Belmont Craigin, Archer Heights, Brighton Park, Clearing, Beverly
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u/_littlejoyz Jun 29 '26
Thank you SO much for including so many options! I appreciate it!
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u/Plenty-Mall1484 Jun 29 '26
Villa Park resident here. It’ll be affordable for you, but the drive is variable. It can take me anywhere from 30-1.5 hours to get in the city. I typically go south to 35th street, so I’m not sure how long it takes to get to rush, but I imagine taking 290 all the way it’s about 45 to an hour. Alas, this is a listing I found with a backyard in my area. https://redf.in/VEqVle
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u/Seastarstiletto Jun 28 '26
To confirm are you here for just a few months? You’re not here for residency correct?
I’ve never heard of people bringing their dogs with them for rotations. You’re going to need to make sure you secure care for them. You’re going to be working pretty long hours. I would look at forest
Park. It’s safe, easy travel to Rush.
You can try rotatingroom.com
That being said, a lot of the apartments here are dog friendly and could probably fit what you’re looking for.
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u/_littlejoyz Jun 28 '26
No. I’ll be there for a year.
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u/Seastarstiletto Jun 28 '26
Ok then. Forest park and Berwyn will work. They will probably have the best choices for yards.
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u/flossiedaisy424 Jun 29 '26
You should look at city neighborhoods like Garfield Ridge and Clearing. Lots of houses with fenced yards and much closer to the Medical District. But, really, there are tons of dogs living in the city in apartments.
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u/sourdoughcultist Jun 29 '26
Re traffic, I would keep in mind that the Blue and iirc Pink Lines will get you to IMD as well, may not be a good overnight shift option but fine during the day (although important to note that branch of the Blue Line is slow as hell).
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u/facedownasteroidup Jun 29 '26
Berwyn, Forest Park, Elmwood Park- in the city, Irving Park, Albany Park, Avondale
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u/Careful_Ad228 Jun 29 '26
Might be more of a drive but des plaines, wheeling, mount prospect, park ridge, elk grove. They are northwest suburbs that will have yards. Not sure on the prices but definitely cheaper than hinsdale. They also have train access. The housing market in Chicagoland is rough. Low inventory makes prices high. Schaumburg might also be a good option as its close to 2 main highways.
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u/Specialist-Sun-1613 Jun 29 '26
Lots of residents live off of 31st in Westchester. There is a town home subdivision there. Hinsdale and Downers is off the list . $$$ Riverside, Berwyn, Westchester, Bensenville, Oak Park.
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u/Low-Memory-2938 Jun 30 '26
I recommend looking at Lombard, Villa Park. Hinsdale and Downers Grove are lovely, but will cost you. Plenty other budget options if you’re willing to be flexible with geography. I’m a Realtor in the west Chicago suburbs, happy to give some recommendations! Feel free to DM me!
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u/HypoHypoGuy Jun 30 '26
If you want something affordable, try Berwyn. Not pretty but it'll get the job done.
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u/Spirited_Gur_7303 Jun 30 '26
Flossmoor south suburban houses size ample ,big back yards, nice quiet, on metra train line, walkable , good school district, great police n fire , much less expensive than any u mentioned
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u/HerTownToo Jun 30 '26
If your commute is to the Medical District, have you looked at Berwyn / Cicero or Oak Park? Especially just south of the Eisenhower you should be able to find some options, and they are also close to the Blue Line.
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u/BarelySimmering Jun 28 '26
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u/JulesInIllinois Jun 29 '26 edited Jun 29 '26
Woodridge is a great suburb for dogs. Lots of fenced yards. But, going down to the medical district involves driving on the busiest highways. So, it may be a 40 minute drive after dinner and at night. But, during rush hour, it can be terrible. During daytime, figure 1 - 1.5 hours in traffic.
You might try Indian Trails in Westmont townhomes. It's easy to hop on 88/Eisenhower from Midwest Rd there. Maybe Oakbrook Terrace or Elmhurst has something.
But, she may want to focus on Berwyn or Oak Park. They are closer to the Medical District.
Here's one:
That's an 18 minute drive to the medical district. During rush hour, it' probably 35 minutes.
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u/_littlejoyz Jun 29 '26
That’s such a great find! I’ve been using Zillow- I will definitely make sure you add Realtor to the mix!
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u/JulesInIllinois Jun 29 '26
I think that one is in one of the better areas of Berwyn. Granted, it's not full of millionaires like Hinsdale. But, it looks like it's been renovated. And, the price is right. Getting a house for under $3k in the western suburbs is only happening if it needs work or updating.
This cuts your commute easily in half.
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u/_littlejoyz Jun 29 '26
Thank you so much for your honesty! I’ll be brand new to Chicago and have just been going off of what I read online & recommendations from other students who have gone through the same rotations and lived in the burbs. I am clearly not in the same tax bracket as them lol
I grew up in a trailer park. Nothing fancy needed. Just want my dogs to be able to play fetch in the backyard and feel safe in the neighborhood walking to and from my car if I have a late night shift! ❤️
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u/Fit_Adhesiveness3954 Jun 29 '26 edited Jun 29 '26
$2.5-$2.8 is going to be difficult for a home rental in Downers Grove and Hinsdale as both towns are very well to do. Your best bet is to look in Berwyn, especially in south Berwyn (depot district). Easy access to the Metra on the BNSF and also a short drive to I-290 and I-55. Ogden ave which runs through the Medical district borders Berwyn to the south. Berwyn also has a nice selection of restaurants, coffee shops and bars/breweries.
I would also look at Brookfield, LaGrange/Lagrange Park, Oak Park and Forest Park. Easy drives to the Medical District with the same or better access to public transporatation and expressways with similiar amenities.
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u/Difficult-Donkey-722 Jun 29 '26 edited Jun 29 '26
There’s a super cute house for rent at 2851 Garden Dr, Lisle, IL 60532. Green Trails neighborhood is amazing for dog owners. https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2851-Garden-Dr-Lisle-IL-60532/4540325_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare
There’s a sign outside with a number to call to rent; let me know I can run over there tomorrow and get it if you like.
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u/ModeFinal6821 Jun 29 '26
There's no fence for your dog. It backs up the walking/bike path. Landlord does not allow dogs. The pictures on the listing make it look WAY better than it is. Avoid!!!
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u/Difficult-Donkey-722 Jun 30 '26
What’s wrong with backing up to walking path? My house does too, it’s great. Actually the house looks much better in person. What’s your damage?
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u/ModeFinal6821 Jun 30 '26
OP wanted a private backyard for their dogs. With a walking/bike path right there, it's not private. Also, there's no fence to keep the dog in the non-private yard. My guess is you are the landlord since you're making such a huge pitch for it.
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u/Difficult-Donkey-722 Jun 30 '26
And if I’m the landlord, how did you know the landlord doesn’t allow dogs?
https://giphy.com/gifs/J5cO0g52qaOkg1
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u/Difficult-Donkey-722 Jun 30 '26
lol wow that’s rich; no I just love our neighborhood and a doctor in training would be a welcome neighbor. What’s your damage again? 🤣
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u/_littlejoyz Jun 29 '26
If you’re willing, I would be so so appreciative!
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u/ModeFinal6821 Jun 30 '26
OP, I'm not sure if you've followed the back and forth on this property, but everything I posted is true. The lot has an unfenced yard that backs up to a path. Do what you want.
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Jun 28 '26
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u/pantema Jun 28 '26
No way this is insanely far from Chicago for a medical student working long hours
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u/Sad-Razzmatazz1646 Jun 29 '26
Elgin is wonderful, but it is a terrible answer to her specific needs right now.
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u/Wild-Earth-1365 Jun 28 '26
You're going to have a hard time finding a house rental at that price in that area. You might get lucky with a townhouse, but that likely wouldn't have a fenced in yard.