Where in Naperville? It's a huge city now, over 140,000 people (it was only about 30k in the early 70s, and then they went on an annexation frenzy and gobbled up everything.)

If you are on the north edge of Naperville and want something a little more "old-school" suburban and less tract-y, you could live in Hinsdale or Elmhurst (depending on your housing budget) and commute on a combination of I-88 and IL-83.

The general consensus is that the best high school districts in the area are (alphabetically):

- Downers Grove (either North or South)
- Hinsdale Central
- Naperville (either North or Central)
- Necqua (sp?) Valley

I hear Elmhurst is tacky - less so, in recent years. ;)

The neighborhood improved when I left. :)

But I was/am always amazed at the price premium Elmhurst gets while having just average schools. LaGrange is the same way, but at least they're a bit closer to the city.

I'd take a strong look at Downers Grove or Lisle. I'd suggest Clarendon Hills, but homes in those parts for $500k are most likely going to be knock-down material so a $2MM place can be built on its lot.

DG has a nice little "downtown" area and has a lot more character than Naperthrill.

Whatever you do, don't look at Hoodridge (Woodridge) or Bolingbrook. :)

I second this. The Geneva-Batavia-St. Charles corridor is pretty cool.

If you really want more of that at a better price, the Route 47 Elburn-Sugar Grove-Yorkville corridor might work, too.

And yes, things in Elmhurst have picked up the past few years. Not sure why, either. :)

Actually, parts of Bolingbrook have seriously evolved in the last few years. Bolingbrook figured out what Naperville was doing in annexation, and did the same thing. The area in the NW corner near the very expensive golf course, for example, has some very swanky custom-built homes.

Easy access to ORD, MDW and Loop; large lots...

Why would he bother? Never had problems raising property taxes before.

City income tax revenues don't have to be shared with the state.

Neither do property taxes that go to the city.

Also pretty sure that state law doesn't allow municipal income taxes, only property and sales.

Do a search for "home rule".

CPS has gotten much much better in recent years. There are are some *excellent* public schools both elementary and secondary level. Having been both a fairly recent product of the system as well as a contractor there for several years, I can probably rattle off the schools to look at given ideas on neighborhoods. How old are your kids?

There is a ton of housing on the market in the city right now too.

:rolleyes: Home rule doesn't convey eternal powers.

Take a look at Glen Ellyn or Wheaton. Traffic is killer in Naperville. Drive down 59 on Saturday afternoon!!!

I don't think harsh, if one has kids & short commute combined with good public schools are key wishes, then Naperville fits those wishes and I probably would seriously consider Naperville, but culture or diversity or non-chain choices, forget about it. I do like the Fox river cities suggestion of St Charles, Geveva.
OUCH, so true, we don't visit our friends in Naperville who live near 59 because of this, I shudder @ the thought.
we switched courses, we now play http://www.settlershill.com/ and we've enjoyed it quite a bit. (plus the tee time is a bit later in the am instead of 6:20am)^