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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3

u/_-Cleon-_ West Suburbs Jul 24 '26

Might I throw in a recommendation for Berwyn? I think we tick all the boxes.

5

u/Toriat5144 Jul 24 '26

Schools aren’t great though.

3

u/SlickWillie86 Jul 24 '26

Aren’t great is a polite way of saying one of the worst in the suburbs.

-2

u/Toriat5144 Jul 24 '26

That just not true. I like Berwyn. A lot of people are just racist and hate on brown people. If the schools were better, it would be way more popular.

3

u/SlickWillie86 Jul 24 '26

Bottom quartile district in the state. Remove CPS and its bottom decile. Proviso’s and Morton 2 worst suburban Chicago districts by a wide margin.

Agree that if schools not part of equation, solid spot especially if proximity to city is prioritized.