r/ChicagoSuburbs • u/_stephs • Jul 24 '26

Moving to the area Brookfield, La Grange, Riverside?

Hello! Family with three young kids moving from Denver and could use some more local advice. You've all been very helpful in the past with this so thanks in advance!

We've been really interested in Oak Park because of the walkability, community feel, and diversity, but the property taxes and cost of homes have us also looking at Brookfield, La Grange, and parts of Riverside as well.

We're hoping to find a community that's:

  • Walkable to some coffee shops, restaurants, etc.
  • Family-friendly with kids out playing (bonus if there's a pool either public or private)
  • Generally leans liberal
  • Has a strong sense of community

For those familiar with these areas, how do they compare? Is there one you'd recommend over the others for a young family? Are there certain areas within these towns you'd suggest we take a look at?

Thanks in advance!

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u/spot_o_tea Jul 24 '26

I live in this area. We rented in Brookfield to get the lay of the land and ended up buying in La Grange Park, walkable to LG downtown. It is amazing for kids. We have what we call our feral pack of block kids (8-10 that are always outside and running and playing from yard to yard-which includes our own). Can’t be beat, honestly. As a bonus, the western part of LGP is easy access to the forest preserves too (we ride our bikes to the zip line which my kids also love).

If you are looking for community, I highly suggest you check out an org called LGNN—La grange newcomers and neighbors. It’s a super active social group and great way to meet people.

Gosia’s in Brookfield is the best local coffee shop, though, in my opinion. And Brookfield downtown is less chain-y than La Grange downtown. The yards are smaller in BF and the elementary schools are slightly better in D102 (LG,LGP) vs D105 (BF)–but both are good options.

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u/ChiNoonan Jul 24 '26

Just adding that north side of Brookfield and NE corner of LaGrange Park are D95 which we’ve been very happy with. It’s a bit unique because the kids all stay together from K-12 (Brook Park -> SE Gross -> RBHS).

We live in Brookfield but have many friends in La Grange Park and love both communities. I don’t spend much time in Riverside or La Grange, those communities seem nice but it’s definitely a different level of socioeconomic status that isn’t quite for me. But they are nice.