Many of the transplanted employees of new companies relocating to the Chicago area are facing this dilemma.... suburbia or city living- which one is best for you?
Just recently three major companies moved their headquarters to the Chicago area... Coors and Miller have recently merged and have chose Chicago proper as the new headquarters for their combined company. Chicago attracted Miller Coors because it has "access to an attractive base of talent, transportation and business resources," company president Tom Long said. Additionally, HSBC North America Holdings, one of the 10 largest financial services companies in the United States, selected Mettawa, a small suburb west of Vernon, Hills Illinois as its new home base.
So if you're an employee who now calls the Chicago area your new home, where should you choose to live? Whether you live in Chicago's city proper,or the burbs is a personal decision and depends on the many factors.
First you must consider your own needs and values. Would you like your children to be exposed daily to the city's wonderful culture experiences, or would you like them to grow up with a big yard to play baseball and Capture the Flag. Do you want to walk to work, have a short drive, relax on the train or spend an hour each way driving to and from work? Does your budget afford you private school costs in the city, or do you want to move to a suburb that has the best schools in the state? Are your children grown and the school system isn't your first priority? All of these questions, are important in your decision as to whether you choose Suburbia or City Living.
Seventeen years ago, my husband and I waffled over the decision to move to the suburbs.
However when it became very difficult for me to drag the laundry from the building's laundry room to our unit on the 26thfloor with baby in tow, my husband agreed to move.
Yes, it was hard decision to move... we knew we would miss our wonderful views of Chicago's SkyLine from the 26thfloor of a Lincoln Park High rise, the easy commute to our jobs downtown, the walks through Lincoln Park Zoo, the wonderful restaurants, etc..., but we felt it was time. We had just had a baby boy, our friends were already living in the burbs, and we had run out of space in our 2 bedroom condo.
Our family's priorities changed. We now wanted great schools,
a bigger home and privacy. One aspect that appealed to my husband and I when we chose to live in Long Grove is that our property was so spacious but only 5 minutes away from all the conveniences of life, ie grocery store, cleaners, etc.
When we first drove through many of the neighborhoods of Long Grove I actually had the chills that I would be living in a beautiful place like this. I remember the day we drove through the neighborhood we ultimately moved to and I said to myself- I would die to live here. Its been 17 years and I still love living in my house that we bought.
If you would like a guided tour of Long Grove, you can give me a call or travel through my previous blog posts. I have also wrote a detailed analysis of all the Long Grove subdivisions for future transplantees to read
Will I ever move back to the city? Yes, probably after my children graduate from Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, and we send them to College (6 years from now- but who's counting). I love the City of Chicago and all it has to offer. I love the great restaurants, museums, plays, and of course the shopping. Actually I'm going to take the train downtown tomorrow to go to dinner and Jersey Boys . I'm really looking forward to it.
Where you ultimately find your dream home depends on your priorities at the time.
If you are considering moving to the Northwest Suburbs and are considering either Buffalo Grove, Long Grove, Mettawa, Lincolnshire, or Vernon Hills, don't hesitate to contact me at 847-602-5435.
www.buffalogrovehomes.com or www.movetolonggrove.com will give you more information regarding the Chicago Northwest Suburbs.
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