Hello! Relo from TX to Chicago...Thoughts on Oak Park?

cheetah*run

Hello!

We are in the final stages of finalizing the potential relo from dallas to chicago. What are your thoughts on the Oak Park area? Living, crime, school, etc...

We have a preschooler that I would love to place at the international montessori academy in oak park, which is why my initial search started there! Our relo specialist is pushing Naperville.

TIA! 

 

celiabeth

Oak Park is really nice, not very cheap.  Good schools and neighborhood feels more like a city than a suburb.  I belive it's Praire District was recently named one of the best places to live.  Oak Park is close to the city and Naperville is not.  I would prefer Oak Park to Naperville. 

laureng498

Naperville is up and coming and a lot cheaper but not as nice as Oak Park.

StephCHK63

I really like Oak Park - it's a really nice village, historic, not too "suburbia", good schools.  We are considering moving there next year.  The only thing is, the Chicago Austin neighborhood (really bad gang crime) is right between Chicago and Oak Park, so just keep that in mind.  I would look for something west of Ridgeland Ave. to stay farther from the Austin neighborhood. 

Mabmin

Oak Park's location cannot be beat.  I also agree that you should look west of Ridgeland.  However, I know several people that lived between Ridgeland and Austin and had no problems.  Naperville is too far for me.  I prefer to live in an area where you can walk to stores, restaurants, etc. and you can do that in limited areas in Naperville.

Believeinlove817

I worked in Oak Park for 3 1/2 years and still find a reason to go out there at least once a month. There are so many schools that there is always a park close by, not to mention all the public/city parks they have. The downtown area is great. All the shops, restaurants, all are so close. It's also a very diverse population, which I like. Plus it's so close to the city.

cheetah*run

Thank you!  I loved the historic homes!

I believe we are going to focus on the Downers Grove area due to the crime/price. With this location, it will be close for DH for the Metra line. His job is still up in the air.

The move saga continues, LOL 

chio1895

I recently moved to Chicago From Dallas. My husband and I lived in Naperville for 6 months while we found a place in the city. We did not like living in Naperville at all. We decided on Naperville to save money and we did, because we had nothing to do. Oak Park feels more like a Highland Park/ University Park.