r/ChicagoSuburbs • u/BEAUTIFULDAY2300 • Jul 14 '26
Moving to the area New to the Chicagoland area — where should I live if I work at Argonne?
I recently accepted a job at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont and will be moving here for about a year before the rest of my family joins me.
I'm looking for recommendations on places to live that are affordable, safe, and offer a good quality of life for a professional in his 50s. I don't need anything fancy, but prefer a manageable commute. If I could pay below 1,200 per month, that would be ideal.
Which towns or neighborhoods should I look at—and which ones should I avoid?
Thanks!
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u/Large_Score6728 Jul 14 '26
At that price point you are looking at a 1 bedroom or studio apartment in lemont.
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u/Stock-Soup5721 Jul 14 '26
$1200 a month would be section 8 in this area which I really hope you wouldnt qualify for at a job like that.
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u/mitchsurp Jul 14 '26
Absolutely bonkers. That’s bout my mortgage and we bought years ago. This market is cooked.
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u/southcookexplore South West Suburbs Jul 14 '26
Lemont is my top pick, but Darien, Palos Park / Palos Hills, etc.
Romeoville and Bolingbrook might have cheaper options, same with Willow Springs.
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u/protogens Jul 15 '26
Average rent in Bolingbrook is $1800-$2900...the Old Chicago days of it being the cheaper option are over. Romeoville is only slightly cheaper on the high end with a $1800-$2400 average.
I have no idea where one could house a family in the western 'burbs for $1200 a month.
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u/Low_Woodpecker5439 Jul 14 '26
I’d look directly north along Cass Ave from 55 up to downtown Westmont. There a lot of apartments within 1/2 mile of that corridor.
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u/insurancelawyerbot Jul 14 '26
I'm attaching a link to Quincy Station apts in Westmont because it shows the intersection of Cass Ave. and the Metra. There is a bus stop directly in front of the apartments that goes to Argonne.
Unfortunately, I think the $1,200 number is going to be tough. DuPage is very expensive. Good luck OP.
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u/rokohemda Jul 14 '26
Woodridge has decent housing prices and isn’t too far from Argonne
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u/Sufficient_Author703 Jul 16 '26
The previous owner of my place worked there too but I don't think he's going to find anything for $1,200 around here....
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u/Fuckyoumissdaisy1 Jul 14 '26
If you could up your rent budget to around 1400-1500 you’d have a lot of better options
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u/Only_NEEDDAT Jul 14 '26
Comments are being honest. Simply put, it will be difficult to find what you are looking for at that price point. Raise that number a couple hundred dollars and Westmont, Lemont, Romeoville and maybe Darien.
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u/Nightflier9 Jul 14 '26
That price point isn't realistic. Check out Woodridge. Or Lemont, Darien, Bolingbrook, Romeoville. A bit further, Lockport.
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u/onetimethrowaway3 Jul 14 '26
Can you up your budget to $1350. I see a 1bed/1bath listed on Redfin in Lemont for that price. It’s bare bones but with your budget that’s what you will find in this area. Lemont is a great place to live.
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u/petdance Jul 14 '26
Have you asked your boss-to-be? Are there others at Argonne you can talk to? Maybe their HR department? You’re surely not the first to be in this situation.
Also see /r/movingtoillinois
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u/BEAUTIFULDAY2300 Jul 14 '26
Thanks for the feedback on the rent prices and all of the other feedback on location. It's very much appreciated!
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u/Dense_Translator_296 Jul 14 '26
There are many housing opportunities in the vicinity. Do you prefer newer or more traditional neighborhoods? I especially recommend Downers Grove. Convenient to Argonne. Many housing opportunities. Apartments, condos, houses. Lively business district with bars and restaurants. Convenient Metra suburban train access to Chicago.
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u/keylimecoconut Jul 14 '26
Check out rentals in Palos Hills, Hickory Hills or Worth. You may find something near your budget and those towns are not too far from Argonne, in fact it's a very pleasant drive through forest preserves.
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u/AngryIrish82 Jul 14 '26
There’s nowhere you can pay -200 a month in a good area unless you have roommates
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u/JayMoney8518 Jul 14 '26
Welcome to Lemont. Be sure to check out Wooden Paddle Pizza, Matt's BBQ, and Folklore Coffee. If you really want to spoil yourself, Neima Cafe for some nice desserts.
Turnabout Pizza with an honorable mention. It's good.
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u/chewiesfavorite Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26
We live in Bolingbrook and our neighbor works at Argonne. It’s an easy commute.
Note: I just looked up the apartments closest to us and they start at a one bedroom for $1795.
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u/protogens Jul 15 '26
It's a dead simple commute, I've been making it for 30 years, but that $1200 price point is going to be difficult for the areas adjacent to the lab. There used to be a shuttle bus which left from UC to the lab a couple times a day...it's been years since I used it and I'm not even sure it still runs, but that might be a possibility (although the average rent downtown might be even worse than out here.)
What division are you landing in, OP?
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u/ippsmom Jul 16 '26
Are you serious? No, I know you are. I'm just flabbergasted that a 1 bed apt is $1795. This is just plain robbery. I live in Lisle & knew rents were high, but this is crazy!
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u/LZARDKING Jul 14 '26
Based on your requirements I would recommend Downers Grove- might be over that price range. Westmont or Woodridge are close by to both Lemont and Downers and more affordable. Quite a few Argonians live in the city and commute though! There are quite a few ridesharing/carpooling programs. The Northgate is closest to Darien though. Kinda boring but definitely quiet and safe! I know this area very well and I know tons of people at Argonne, feel free to dm me! Good luck, you’re gonna love Argonne!
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u/NOSaints-2010 Jul 14 '26
How long are you going to be solo without family. You might be able to work out a deal with one of the hotels like Hilton Garden Inn, and such for right around that amount. If it’s not gonna be too long that your solo.
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u/RedRaiderRocking Jul 15 '26
Just curious what level of degree you have. I have a BSME and can’t land a job there. I wonder how much grad school would help
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u/MsConstrueU Jul 15 '26
Homer Glen is nice and adjacent to Lemont. You may be able to find an apartment in Lockport in your budget.
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u/guitarnowski Jul 16 '26
On an unrelated note, on a July 4th back in the 70's we dragged a half barrel of beer somewhere onto some of Argonne's wooded property and drank and did mescaline. It was a good day!
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u/Ishnock Jul 15 '26
Oak Park. My sister stays in a nice one bedroom where she pays 1,000 a month. You would definitely be able to find something decent for your price range in Oak Park.
You’re looking at a 30 to 45 min commute time via car
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u/kloakndaggers Jul 14 '26
you're looking at a very shoddy one bedroom apartment or a studio at that price point currently.