thanks for the advice...the more I read the more confused I get!! The commute is really important to us so thanks for the heads up...everywhere I have read, there are comments on the property taxes....we are coming from a town where a house valued at $400,000 pays taxes of about $15000 a year!! So the Chicago area is actually a bit of a relief....

Are there any towns further out that might fit the housing bill and be unpretentious...Vernon Hills perhaps?
Theresa