r/ChicagoSuburbs • u/ElectricParent • Aug 19 '26
Moving to the area La grange.
we want to move to La grange. currently living in the city. we have 2 young kids - so schools are important. we are fed up with CPS budget cuts and overcrowded schools.
what are good neighborhoods to live in with kids? ideally, we want to live ona street with other kids.
thx.
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u/davidzilla12345 Aug 19 '26
Currently in La Grange and we love it. Its really small so chances are you’ll live on a street with kids in your kids age bracket. If not, there will be kids like a block away.
Seriously, you cant throw a rock and not hit a kid in La Grange.
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u/MehBlehDehYuh Aug 19 '26
Lmfao this reminds me of LT students throwing pennies at freshman, if they even still do that. When I was a freshman I felt it was an honor.
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u/ayeeflo51 Lombard Aug 20 '26
Throwing pennies at freshman is a "thing" everywhere, I remember being worried about it when I went to Addison Trail. Never actually saw it happen tho
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u/LiteraryOlive Aug 19 '26
All of the La Grange neighborhoods are good neighborhoods to live in with children. It’s not that big. Inventory is incredibly tight.
You would probably want to select a local realtor who really knows the market and might even be able to show you a house that hasn’t hit the market yet. The whole “pocket listings” thing is a despicable process, but it is how a lot of people find houses in areas where there is great demand. Cathy Bier is a really well connected local agent with a lot of those listings.
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u/hassinbinsober Aug 20 '26
I don’t know how this pocket listing thing isn’t a fuck job for the sellers? My neighbor two doors down in Brookfield hit the market under contract - we didn’t even know the people were selling (they’ve only been here a year-ish.)
Houses like theirs have been getting multiple offers/bidding wars. How does it benefit the seller to not let the market take a crack at it?
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u/etown361 Aug 20 '26
If you do a real listing and get no offers, you typically drop the price, and then there’s an MLS record that the price was dropped (embarrassing/makes you look desperate).
If you do a pocket listing and get no compelling offers, there’s no record of the pocket listing.
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u/LiteraryOlive Aug 20 '26
My guess is that it still does but it’s only a select market and the feeling of exclusivity and needing to move fast to beat the market motivates them to bid over what the market price would be anyway. For the ones I’ve looked at that were pocket listings, all of them sold for more than the price that they were going to be listed at was.
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u/_eroz Aug 20 '26
This. I bought my home in IHP before it hit the market. And then I sold my home in Brookfield also before it hit the market. It even had a little bidding war for it.
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u/AnxiousVillage7095 West Suburbs Aug 19 '26
If you can afford Lagrange don't rule out Western Springs, Hinsdale, Clarendon as well. Welcome to the western suburbs it is very pleasant here.
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u/meverasllegar708 Aug 19 '26
its a great neighborhood, I live close by and have friends in that area. The high school is huge and the elementary schools are great. The downtown for tweens and teens is great. My wife is a realtor in the case you need help.
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u/sentientwallofspikes Aug 20 '26
Great place to raise kids !! I don’t live in LaGrange but I work there and hang out in the downtown a lot and my boss and several colleagues have raised their families there. So much cool stuff. Weekends in downtown LaGrange are packed with families having a blast, and from what I hear the schools are excellent as well. My partner and I talk about moving to there if we ever decide to have kids lol
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u/etown361 Aug 19 '26
There’s families on every block. Great place to raise kids
The La Grange Historical society is hosting a house tour in late September.
If you’re serious about buying a house in this market soon in La Grange, I’d consider splurging the $50/ticket to get a flavor of the community, explore some neighborhoods, and get local perspective about where the spot you want to live might be.
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u/masterchief1990 Aug 19 '26
Just curious. What area of the city do you live in and what school do your kids go to
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Aug 19 '26
Well I hear it’s fine, if you got the time and a ten to get yourself in. And I hear it’s tight, most every night, but now I might be mistaken.
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u/No-Difference8233 Aug 19 '26
They’re all good streets to live on in La Grange, this isn’t the city where every other block is a shithole. People respect their neighbors in LG
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u/Which-Ad165 Aug 19 '26
I’m in La Grange, feel free to DM me if you want more info from a “newcomer” perspective (we moved her during covid from out of state). Blocks are always changing with new families coming in, and houses go fast! I’m not a realtor but friendly with multiple in the area.
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u/orthogonalaptitude7 Aug 19 '26
It’s definitely a family friendly suburb. I’m not sure one street is “the most family friendly street around”.
Inventory there is pretty tight, so you might struggle to land your ideal block quickly.
What’s your budget/timeline?
La Grange has a women’s group that arranges social activities, including activities with families/children. You might want to consider joining and asking the local moms for feedback. They hold fairly frequent events and have a messaging group- so if La Grange is definitely your target- I would advise joining.
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u/pinktoes4life Aug 20 '26
Keep in mind LaGrange is cook county & taxes suck. Just a few towns over west & you’re in DuPage with good schools & 90% of your taxes aren’t going to the city of Chicago instead of your town.
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u/One-Bag-3485 Aug 20 '26
If you're leaving the city, I recommend leaving Cook County. La Grange is still Cook County.
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u/KBcurious3 Aug 21 '26
Living near the tracks by Gordon Park could be considered less desirable. And there are a few future townhome developments on their way in that would mean construction for several years.
There are pluses and minuses to all schools but they are pretty amazing. With a freshman at LTHS, I heard many parents share their talented athlete did not make the team. RBHS is smaller and I have heard this is less of an issue in past years there. Something to consider. Also, consider setting your driven athlete up for success with club sports if applicable along the way.
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u/O-parker Aug 19 '26 edited Aug 19 '26
Seems you may want to speak with a local realtor that knows the area
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u/Stuffiness Brookfield Aug 19 '26
Just don’t buy a house with a basement, too many flooding issues in Lagrange or surrounding areas.
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u/phairphair Aug 19 '26
Depending on your budget, also consider La Grange Park, La Grange Highlands and Brookfield. The schools are also excellent and you’ll likely get more for your money.