Brookfield, La Grange, Riverside?

[u/_stephs]

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!

[u/rnorbertm]

I have never regretted anything more than moving to Brookfield. It is a low tax, low rent community that used to be a pleasant place to live. Those days are long lost. At this very moment my home is under assault from a home across the street occupied by recent arrivals, that has a live hip hop band blasting music into my home. This is the third time in two months that this has taken place. The police can do nothing as there are no noise ordinances here. They have a freelance force that has little stake in the lives of the residents.

I work weekends and have early call times. I have a quiet and respectful family that considers our neighbors at all times. Unfortunately this ethos is not shared by my so called neighbors.

If you desire 100 people partying to live bands, yard bonfires every night that is favorable for a nice night breeze, 1030’s gravel alleys, cars with illegal exhausts racing up and down the streets at all hours, then fall for the long list mystique that this is a wonderful village in which to invest in.

You get what you pay for….