City vs the Burbs

I grew up in Chicago, went to a Catholic school, loved the lake and miss it everyday. But I moved out to the burbs and it hit me yesterday, it's home for my boys like it or not. I can't tell you what to do, but sadly schools are schools and I work in them. There are good and bad points. I used to think it made a difference, now I"m not so sure after they grew up It was up to them, to study to work and to get wherever it is that they are going. I have sent them to very nice public schools and the older one did fine, my younger did not. We have only recently learned why which is not related to schools (undetected ADD) but I do throw my hands up in the air because they didn't detect this.. But I do think growing up here was a good idea in some ways, it seems safe and yet I do not see how many differences there are in activities. Baseball, soccar, etc.It is all about choice. I love, love the city, but there are so many cars and you can't park, the streets are stop and go and yet i personally would go back and try to live right near the lack. My husband won't either. We live just close enough to the city that if we wanted to we could enjoy it. The schools are clean and safe but I really understand, once a city girl always a city girl. Don't know if this helped at all. But let's just say this, if you love your family they will thrive wherever you put them. Good luck!

I find most of the suburbs are just as expensive as the city if not more (look at Oak Park taxes, yikes, higher than Lincoln Park). I'm a city believer, there is so much kids can learn in the city that they won't in the suburbs, education is not just about schools. Good luck with your decision.

Not sure if this will help, but lots of folk raise their kids in the city (I am one of them) and love it. Like the last poster said, it's just a choice and happily one that either way, will be good!

I live in the city but if I could move to the suburbs, I would so do it in a heartbeat. Since my husband works for the city, it's never going to happen.

I love the idea of being able to pick out a good neighborhood with good schools. In the city, you're really limited either to CPS, private schools that could be strewn all over the place, or waiting and hoping that you fit the right 'profile' to get into a magnet school. For us, there's no way we're sending out kid to CPS and our chances of him getting into a magnet school are virtually nill...besides, there aren't many that are close and I want my kid to be in a school where if he makes friends, he can go play with them whenever he wants.

Understand that I'm completely biased though. I grew up in a suburb and have always hated living in the city. It's just not for me. That doesn't mean it is bad...just not for me.

I lived in Chicago my whole life and was very against the idea of moving to the suburbs, until I moved to Oak Park. Nothing is perfect, but we didn't have to give up the things we liked about the city. We are just a few blocks west of Chicago, and an easy ride to downtown. We have a great neighborhood, libraries, parks, some decent restaurants and bookstores, and most importantly, a diverse community of people and a very neighborhoody experience. My teenagers can easily take the train to Chicago.

I absolutely love having my own home, and a place to park my car, which we couldn't afford in the city. Things are more expensive now than when we moved, but I still think you get more for your money here. The average public school class size for my kids has been about 22, and there are so many extracurriculars, including learning a language and playing an instrument.

Good luck with your decision.

My husband and I chose to move from the city to Naperville once I became pregnant. We made a pro/con list. Pros: public schools are very good (especially school district 203), able to afford larger home with attached garage/yard, and safety. Cons: area lacks diversity, commute to city can be brutal (luckily this doesn't affect us), and can't just step outside and walk to our favorite brunch spot or shop(sounds minor, but I loved that about the city). It is such a personal decision...I suggest exploring some different 'burbs on weekends and looking at their websites, including park districts, to see what they have to offer. You may also want to check out this link which allows you to compare schools: http://www.greatschools.net/
Good luck!

We live in Oak Park, technically 8 blocks from the "city" but a good 20-25 minute drive to the Loop or Grant Park. Still, that is closer that other areas of Chicago that are technically the City, but far from the action. I live in a somewhat urban neighborhood, wonderfully diverse, excellent public schools, many parks, great libraries, police/fire/EMT, and local government.

On the down side, I do not feel safe letting my 9 year old bike solo around town or even letting my 7 year old run around the block by himself, which is the norm in other suburbs. I worry about traffic, but more so the fact that we are not an isolated community so crimes against children are an unfortunate reality. Few kids walk to school solo, which I recall doing by age 5 or 6 in my hometown!

I don't know if you would save money by moving from the City in this economy, unless you are renting now. In that case, I think you would have some nice choices. I'd say the median house price in O.P is $375,000. Taxes are pretty high, too.

I have to agree with Sheila - there are many places to live well, and they all have their ups and downs. Personally, it was high on my list to use public schools (husband and I both went to parochial schools, and we both know the downsides) but I pay high property taxes instead (Oak Park.) We really believe in the idea of public education - but realistically, quality varies. I know people whose kids are in amazing Chicago public schools. So - hard to say what works for any one family.

If your kids are happy with their schools, I think that is important. If you need to make a change, personally I'd try to find a walkable/public transit community if you go to the suburbs because your kids will be at that after-school activity age in no time. But that's just me. Sometimes I fantasize about going to some beach community in Indiana - costs seem low, lots are big. There are so many options! It can be fun to think about it. Maybe you and your husband could spend a few Sundays visiting communities and Open Houses and make up a list of your priorities and your wants/dislikes. Who knows, maybe in the end you'll just confirm that you are happy where you are. Or you'll find something else you will love!

I used to live in the city when I was single/had no kids and that was great. I never wanted to leave the city, but when we were pregnant with our first and looking for a property, we just found that the properties were cheaper going West. We ended up buying our place in Roselle. At first I thought it was too far and was not sure about our decision. Now I absolutely love it and can not imagine raising my kids in the city.
It's quiet, no crazy traffic, feels a little more secluded, parks are nice and clean and don't have 50 kids running around in them, no problems with parking etc. Whenever I go to the city to visit family I get aggrevated with all the traffic, parking issues, all the people ALL OVER THE PLACE, it's like a zoo.
My son is in a public school it's a great school, no problems. I would not want my kids going to a public school in Chicago. Schools here are much safer and offer great education and I feel safe sending him to school....
That's my view....

Hi Noreen,

I have two boys 6 and 10 and have always lived in the city. My kids were going to a Lutheran school until this year. They now go to a chicago public school. What really surprised me is that their education is SO much better! I just assumed that since I was paying for private school it had to be better. Boy, was I wrong. I'm lucky to be in one of the better school districts, which one are you in?