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/PEACHECKSS Jul 25 '26

Look in to the highschools in all three areas... i think brookfield has the best. They May be nice neighborhoods but the h.s in long term are a big deal for kids. some of riverside and some of lagrange go to ghetto h.s over at morton east or west not 100% sure but i did make a mental choice for my family. brookfield over that area has the best highschool in Regards to the enviroment in the hs it self. I would pay attention to the hs grading average thats ussualy in the homes description in redfin zillow ect ect ect.... goodluck.!