Oak Park

abseptember

Hi!

I currently live in the Loop and have lived in North Center and Lakeview.  DH and I are considering moving to the suburbs.  I really like the city but DH is sick of the crowds.  So he mentioned Oak Park since it is still close to the city where he will be working.  I know pretty much nothing about Oak Park or any suburb.  Can you tell me more about Oak Park or any other suburb that would be an easy commute on the Metra to DT Chicago?  Thanks!

Brookles

I just moved to Oak Park about a month ago and like it quite a bit. I just hop right on the Blue Line and I'm downtown in about 25 minutes, easy peasy. I'm still exploring, but so far it seems adorable and charming, with stuff to do but as you said it's more relaxed that the Loop.

abseptember

Thanks for the info.  We will definitely check it out more... lease doesn't run out until November.  Plus I am job hunting so we'll see where I end up.  Is there a specific area of Oak Park that would be good for us to go and walk around in?  I guess I'm trying to say... where's the most popular area

Mabmin

The most walkable area would be between Oak Park Ave or maybe Ridgeland and Harlem.  There are lots of shops and restaurants close to Lake Street.  While it might not be walkable, there are also a lot of restaurants and bars on Madison Street in Forest Park.  Oak Park has great transportation options with the Green and Blue lines and Metra.

ellen73

I lived just south of Oak Park, in Berwyn (great apartment, rent was way less than what it would have been in Oak Park).  Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park area are all nice areas and it would take me 20 min. to get to the South Loop by car.  

Go to Poor Phil's... I miss living  close to there!

Linnealein

Hi,

My husband and I just moved to Oak Park a couple of weeks ago, and so far we're loving it.  We're very near the Harlem/Lake green-line stop, which is right next to a Metra stop as well (UP-W?).  We love being so close to everything (shops, restaurants, parks of Oak Park, while being a skip away from the L to bring us anywhere we need to go in 20-25 mins), and pleasantly surprised how QUIET it is.

I suggest you link up with the Oak Park Regional Housing Center (http://liveinoakpark.com/) as an initial starting place.  They're a non-profit designed to give you apartment listings based on what you're looking for.  We ended up finding our apartment elsewhere, but we were extremely impressed with the service, and found several viable options while looking.

Come some Saturday, and just walk around.  I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the area!