It’s a different story when you settle down and start a family, however. This time, you will have to think about getting a bigger space without spending all your income on a home. And if you’re like most parents, you’d want to raise your kids in a calm environment and a family-friendly community where you can develop close ties with the neighbors.
Fortunately, you have plenty of Chicago suburbs to choose from, particularly north of the city.
Some of the best include:
- Arlington Heights – #44 in Niche.com’s 2017 list of 100 Best Suburbs to Live in Illinois
- Barrington – #20 in Niche.com’s 2017 list of 100 Best Suburbs to Live in Illinois
- Buffalo Grove – #1 in Niche.com’s 2017 list of 100 Best Suburbs to Live in Illinois
- Des Plaines – Graded A by Niche.com for its public schools, family friendliness, nightlife, and diversity
- Elk Grove Village – #96 in Niche.com’s 2017 list of 100 Best Suburbs to Live in Illinois
- Elmhurst – Graded A+ by Niche.com for its public schools and family friendliness
- Hoffman Estates – #40 in Niche.com’s 2017 list of 100 Best Suburbs to Live in Illinois
- Mount Prospect – #61 in Niche.com’s 2017 list of 100 Best Suburbs to Live in Illinois
- Palatine – #46 in Niche.com’s 2017 list of 100 Best Suburbs to Live in Illinois
- Schaumburg – #43 in Niche.com’s 2017 list of 100 Best Suburbs to Live in Illinois
Why are these suburbs among the best?
1. Excellent schools Illinois’ northern suburbs is home to a number of top-rated schools served by various school districts. While Chicago is served by only one district – Chicago Public Schools – the northern suburbs is served by several, including Cook County Schools, DuPage County Schools, and Lake County Schools.
Many of the schools in the area rank among the best in the state. These include:
- MacArthur International Spanish Academy in Hoffman Estates
- Enders-Salk Elementary School in Schaumburg
- Hoover Math and Science Academy in Schaumburg
- Thomas Dooley Elementary School in Schaumburg
- Fairview Elementary School in Hoffman Estates
- John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights
- William Fremd High School in Palatine
- Prospect High School in Mount Prospect
2. Parks and open spaces While city dwellers often have to pay a premium to live in an area where there’s plentiful open space, or a home with even just a tiny patio, suburban folks are treated to acres of lush green parks and community open spaces with facilities like playgrounds, sports fields, golf courses and more. Many parks feature nature preserves with miles of hiking and biking trails.
Buffalo Grove, for example, has over 20 parks, Elmhurst has 28, while Schaumburg has 55 playgrounds and 34 ball fields. No matter which community you choose, it’s bound to offer public open spaces where you can take the family, and even your pets, for hours of relaxing fun.
3. Close-knit community The more relaxed way of life in the suburbs gives residents more time to organize and participate in community events. This is true in northern Illinois communities, where weekly farmers’ markets, festivals, and holiday celebrations are held year-round and are eagerly looked forward to by everyone. These events foster long-term friendships and provide a better sense of security, knowing you and your neighbors can rely on each other to maintain safety and harmony in the neighborhood.
4. More affordable homes This is one of the top reasons why people move to the suburbs. In northern Illinois suburbs, you will find a wide variety of housing options, from spacious single-family homes to townhomes and condos, coming in different sizes and prices. And you get to find homes with spacious yards where the children can play or where you can hold barbecues with your friends.