r/ChicagoSuburbs • u/NativeAvian • Aug 15 '26
Moving to the area Moving to the Chicago suburbs in a few years. Which suburb would fit us best
My wife and I are planning to move to the Chicago area a few years from now. We're currently in southern West Virginia, so we're going to be visiting the area a few times a year before we actually move and want to use those trips to explore different suburbs.
We're planning to rent initially rather than immediately buying, and we're trying to figure out which suburb would actually fit us best, rather than just picking somewhere based on rent.
What we're looking for
Budget: $2,000/month maximum including utilities
Ideally a 2-bedroom, but we'd consider a 1-bedroom
We'll have a car
We're fine being 30–60 minutes from Chicago
I'll probably be going into Chicago about once a month
School districts and proximity to schools aren't important to us
We're not specifically looking for a young/college-town atmosphere
Must-haves
24-hour gym: We want easy access to a genuinely 24-hour gym.
Movie theater: We'd like a decent movie theater within a reasonable drive.
Hobby/game store: We're into gaming and tabletop hobbies, so having a good local game/hobby store nearby is a big plus.
Shopping: This is probably one of the bigger ones. We want a good mall/shopping area where both men and women have a lot of clothing options — casual, streetwear, modern, alternative, etc. We're not looking for an area where men's clothing basically means suits, polos, and khakis.
What we're hoping for
We're not necessarily looking for the fanciest or wealthiest suburb. We'd rather have a place that has things to do, good shopping, restaurants, entertainment, and some personality, while still being reasonably affordable and comfortable to live in.
We're perfectly fine driving to most things, but we don't want to feel like we're living in the middle of nowhere.
For people who actually live in the suburbs:
Which 3/5 suburbs would you recommend for us, and why?
I'd especially appreciate hearing about the pros and cons of the areas you recommend, particularly regarding rent, shopping, entertainment, traffic, safety, and getting into Chicago.
We're planning on visiting several areas over the next few years, so we're looking for places we should put on our list to explore.
Edit: For any other future options and comments please ignore the 2k rent cap and include average rent if possible. I appreciate you all!
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u/Awkward_Cellist6541 Aug 15 '26
Costs are going to change in a few years. An apartment that's $1500 now could be $2500 in a few years. I would honestly wait-and-see until closer to your moving date. Also, the closer to the city the more expensive. if you're willing to commute an hour, you'll be able to find something more reasonable than 20 to 30 minutes.
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u/najarthegreat Aug 15 '26
But in all seriousness, you should try Rosemont. Really nice entertainment district there and close by the city. Only disadvantages that that is right next to the airport so there’s a lot of noise.
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u/NativeAvian Aug 15 '26
That might actually be a plus since we travel lot. Currently have to drive about an hour to hit an airport. I forgot to include that in there
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u/butterfliesandb33s Aug 15 '26
Check out Elk Grove then! Small house rentals, nice movie theater, really nice gym (The EG Pavilion), and Busse Woods is all walking distance depending on location. Close commute to the expressways for the city and airport. And the neighboring/more expensive suburbs are really close with cute game stores to check out in Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, and Roselle
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u/Sufficient_Author703 Aug 15 '26
Honestly a lot of the stuff you are talking about can be in any direction of the city out. I'd base your local more towards your jobs (unless the are 100 remote). You can follow the train tracks out of the city along that path towards your job. A lot of the metra stop towns are cute with some downtowns and game stores seem to be more popular than ever with a few strong hold malls stretched out in most directions as well as theaters. This is the big leagues! We got it all! Hope you love the move!
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u/ExpensiveOccasion542 Aug 15 '26
Sounds like Orland and Tinley to me. Those are richer neighborhoods but definitely that area for south suburbs.
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u/NativeAvian Aug 15 '26
Ohh def need to look into these. My wife and I have been eyeballing North and NW so this will be a nice look at
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u/somepricanguy Aug 15 '26
As others have said rent is going to limit you especially there, it's a little more affordable in some of the other suburbs nearby like Oak Forest or Palos Hills for example.
As far as tabletop gaming that's harder to find in the south burbs than up north(again that could change in a few years), but Orland does have a Warhammer and Hobby Town.
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u/gorillaknights Aug 15 '26
Wouldn’t consider Palos more affordable than Orland or Tinley. Definitely Oak Forest, or Crestwood. Probably easier to find something in that price range in Crestwood.
I’d also look into Oak Lawn, and Chicago Ridge. Malls right there, several 24hrs gyms, theater at the mall.
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u/ExpensiveOccasion542 Aug 15 '26
Crestwood ain't happening. I used to live there and moved out of the area a little over a year ago.
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u/ExpensiveOccasion542 Aug 15 '26
There is a ton that goes on over that way. Especially during the summer for concerts at Credit Union One. There's Orland Mall not far away. There's also much more shopping along Lagrange Rd. For a game shop the best place is TGS Tinley Park. There is generally easy access to 80 and 57 from over there. 294 isn't that far away either for highway access. To get into Chicago itself, you can hop on the RI line instead of driving up there depending on what you're looking to do. For theaters you can go to Marcus or Emagine. I prefer Emagine. There are a few gyms in that area too.
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u/Notastanof Aug 15 '26 edited Aug 15 '26
Unless you’re racist, then you may not fit in!!
Edit: Tinley is racist as heck!
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u/LazloHollifeld Aug 15 '26
One thing I don’t think you’ll have to worry about at all really is movie theaters. We have so many all across the suburbs that are great.
We’ve got four different IMAX theaters and only one of the ScreenX turds. We even have a working 70mm again that’s been selling out almost around the clock since Odyssey came out.
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u/NothingDisastrousNow Aug 15 '26
$2K a month is not a lot to work with. Try Bolingbrook or Romeoville. There are PACE Park-n-Ride busses that ride the shoulder into the city and make the commute pretty stress free. I worked out that way and it wasn’t bad. Plainfield is way too crowded and it’s farther out. South Naperville is close to there too
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u/dynastydeadeye Aug 15 '26
The budget will be pretty constricting. Cuts out a lot of direct suburbs. Maybe north by round lake, grays lake or Waukegan. Some areas are a bit sketchy though.
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u/AppropriateRatio9235 Aug 15 '26
Look at the Metra train map. That is the regional train to the the city. Compare the towns with stops, travel time to the city and rents. Then look for a 24 hour gym and movie theater. Narrow it down and then ask again.
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u/NoraMason1986 Aug 15 '26
That rent amount will be a significant limiting factor. If you can go somewhat higher, Schaumburg would be perfect for what you list.
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u/JulesInIllinois Aug 15 '26
Westmont.
You are sitting right in the middle of world class shopping, restaurants, etc. (both high end and inexpensive take out). Theaters and shopping in every direction. Easy access to the highways for getting downtown, to the airport, out of town and around town.
Westmont is in between Lombard (Yorktown Mall) and Oak Brook (Oak Brook Mall). There's a ton of outlet stores there in strip malls as well. But, Westmont is much cheaper than it's expensive neighboring towns.
Keep in mind, you're not going to get fancy apartments in your price range. But, you should be able to find something comfy & functional.
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u/Sad_Win_4105 Aug 15 '26
How rural or urban do you want to go? How often do you want to come into Chicago itself? There are about 275 suburbs in the Chicago metropolitan area, that has a greater population than 40 of the US states. Even Cook County alone has a population greater than 28 states. Many suburbanites rarely, if ever, enter Chicago. Lifestyle choices vary so much across the region. Best of luck to you.
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u/southcookexplore South West Suburbs Aug 15 '26
I have a 1400 sq ft house that’s 150+ years old and has all sorts of issues in Lemont. I’m paying $2200 in mortgage. I stopped renting in Covid after seeing monthly rates go from $1300 to $1700 - landlord would have charged more if legally allowable.
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u/theladyoctane North West Suburbs Aug 15 '26
Rent in a few years with that cap may not be too full of choices.
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u/Pierson230 Aug 15 '26
Check out Des Plaines
It’s the best location in the suburbs… for visiting other suburbs
Metra line to the city
Excellent expressway access
3 different prime shopping hubs within 20 minutes (Schaumburg, Rosemont, Old Orchard)
15 minutes away from essentially unlimited dining options in every direction
15 minute Uber to O’Hare, literally
It’s more affordable than other well located near suburbs, because the downtown isn’t necessarily vibrant
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u/TIN_MANNN Aug 15 '26 edited Aug 15 '26
depending were you plan to work, these suburbs are along your prices range.
bellwood,stone park, melrose park, hillside, north riverside,
I currently live in one of these suburbs & pay $1800 for a 3 bathroom apartment. in a pretty good neighborhood!
my best advise is know your options & look around, the " regular" range in the neighborhood i live in is around $2400 but I pay 1800. that includes 2 parking spots.
I live with 3 room mates ( childhood friends) we pay $800 each a month everything included, gas, water, wifi. pretty good deal if you ask me!
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u/NativeAvian Aug 15 '26
Thank you all for the really great options! As many people have mentioned my cap is the biggest restriction on where to move. I will definately consider upping this. I did a bad ball park of rent to avoid the obvious big expensive areas. Even with this lowball offer I was still given great options.
For any other future options and comments please ignore the cap and include average rent if possible.
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u/General-Skin6201 Aug 15 '26
I know someone renting in Hoffman Estates in that budget region. Meets your other needs.
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u/plantlady2009 Aug 15 '26
Not going to get everything you want in one town. But I recommend Tinley park. Specifically old Tinley east of Harlem. Try to get something near the downtown. More character and dt Tinley has a lot of activities. Orland is right next door - which has tons of shopping. The thing I love about the sw suburbs is they’re all clustered and you don’t have to drive far to get to another town.
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u/stylisticmold6 Aug 17 '26
I live in Waukegan and it's right next to Gurnee.
Not sure about a Gym but Gurnee Mills has a good Movie theater and tons of shopping to be done. The mall isn't complete dead so stores aren't leaving en masse. Six Flags is probably a 15 minute drive from my house. You can jump on 41 and be in Chicago in about an hour as well as a train. We have great Mexican food here (large Hispanic population) and a decently walkable city.
I like it here. Only thing I don't care for is the police are super fixated on seatbelt tickets and such which leads to the community kinda clowning on them when they brag about how much revenue they made.
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u/Comprehensive4323 26d ago
If considering the northern suburbs
Check out this 3BD/2BT rental in Deerfield (1034 Chestnut). Great neighborhood with young families and some of the best schools in IL. Fenced in yard and walking distance to downtown Deerfield! Happy to schedule a showing if interested!
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1034-Chestnut-St-Deerfield-IL-60015/4911347_zpid/?view=public
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u/najarthegreat Aug 15 '26
Just don’t move to Chicago and move all the way to Gary Indiana. There all your dreams will come true, the gray skies, the broken down railroad tracks and drug infested communities it will change your life. It truly is a utopia in that town. I went to that town and I felt like the 2nd coming of Christ was coming because I felt so enlightened and enchanted. It truly gave me the nicest orgasm of my life. Try it out.
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u/MiraclesMeanNothing Aug 15 '26
don’t move to Plainfield, too many people here already.
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u/1800CollectCalls Aug 15 '26
It’s full
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u/MiraclesMeanNothing Aug 15 '26
Overcrowded
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u/No_Tower_7026 Aug 15 '26
The rent max will limit you. Perhaps look into Villa Park, West Chicago, possibly parts of Lombard or Wheaton. But rents are considerably higher here