I am a single mom planning to move to Chicago in one year.?

I was wondering what neighborhood, or area of Chicago would be best to move to. I'll need public transportation close by (selling my car before I move) . I am on a tight budget. But want to be in a safe area, good neighborhood with diversity. I have a son that is 12 and want an area with good schools! I use to visit chicago in the summers when my brother was at Northwestern. Love it .and can't wait to FINALLY call Chicago home in a year. Thanks!
I am a single mom planning to move to Chicago in one year.?
I live in Plainfield Illinois, it isnt really Chicago, its a southwest suburb about 40 miles from downtown, but if you plan on taking trip to the big city frecuentley, it would get kind of expensive. But if you only go occasionally, I would highly reccomend it. It is still a developing town, with about 40,000 residents or so.





Were building a 4th high school, we have about 8 middle schools, and more than 10 elementary schools. I would say the schooling is fair, we did have a teachers strike 5 years ago, but since then, everythings been good. It is Plainfield School District 202, if you wanted to do some research. The best schools in the area are the Naperville schools though. Naperville is a good amount more expensive than Plainfield, but if you plan on moving here, do it soon. In the past 4 years, my $350,000 house is now worth nearly $500,000, and it will be alot more than that in the near future. Basically, if a home in Plainfield costs $300,000, a home in Naperville would run you more in the $500,000- $600,000 range. But, Plainfield has a great variety of homes, from townhomes to small single family homes, to upscale $1,000,000+ homes. It is a very diverse area, and is rapidly expanding, but like I said earlier, its getting bigger by the day, and new schools are being put up left and right.








Its a very safe area, but if your looking for alot of public transportation, this isnt your place: you basically need a car here. But overall, decent schools, very safe, great diversity, tons to do, great restaurants, but may get on the expensive side. Most of the cities closer to Chicago arent that safe; once you get out near Naperville and Plainfield, thats when it becomes safer.
Reply:check out Edgewater. It's one of the best kept secrets of Chicago. Very reasonable rents, diverse population, public transportation all around, not too far from Evanston and Northwestern University. Lots of new restaurants, a couple of small theater companies, only a few blocks from the lakefront and the beaches, bike and running paths, etc. You might also want to look at Andersonville which is nearby. Hope that helps








i can't address the schools, since I don't have kids and subsequently have no reason to examine them that closely.
Reply:Edison Park - is getting pretty nice as well. I would move there. The schools are improving and there is public transportation.