10 Chicago Suburbs with the Best Downtowns

[@mic1240]

I agree with Chicago Magazine’s pick as best suburban downtown, not on your list: La Grange, which was also deemed the most walkable suburb by DePaul U study. Lots of restaurants, bars, cafes and shops with two Metra stops (18 minutes to Chicago) and Amtrak station, Lots of great suburban villages and downtowns in Chicagoland area. The La Grange, Western Springs, Hinsdale and Clarendon Hills corridor along the BNSF is great area close to city, airports, highways, all with nice village centers.

[@FactStorm]

Yes, La Grange is quite lovely. I would definitely also add Orland Park & Schaumburg on the list for their variety and "pack-a-punch" offerings for being relatively small towns.

[@gossgo84]

Thank you for great Info bro. İ ve lived in Chicago (cumberland avenue) about a year to study English and turned back to İstanbul. Now we re planning to live in Chicago again with my wife, and after a big crowded City as İstanbul i want to live in a quite and clean suburb of Chicago. İ will look for your requests mate. Take care.

[@nancyippolito]

Yes, raised my kids in LaGrange & it was wonderful. Lived just off of LaGrange Rd & Ogden & walked downtown frequently. It has changed & there are many great restaurants, but some of the smaller unique stores were taxed out. It should have made the top 10 for sure. Love LaGrange. Oak Park, too.

[@ralphieandryan]

@@gossgo84 Thanks for your comment and your kind words! We're so glad you enjoyed the video and that you're planning to come back to Chicago. There are many great suburbs with clean and quiet downtowns, and we would love to have the opportunity to help you relocate. As real estate agents, we're here to answer any questions you may have and to provide you with the best possible advice. Feel free to reach out if you need any assistance! Take care!

[@markward8975]

@nancyippolito yes nothing like Whiteville to everything okay!! I was born in Chicago (not Naperville) I stayed my younger brother moved to the suburbs raised two kids and when they went to college they were scared to death. Why because they never saw people of color! Suburbs are breeding grounds for racism don't believe me how many neighbors did you have that didn't look like you?

[@FactStorm]

Great work once again..what an informative video. Well-executed, thanks for your hard work!

[@ralphieandryan]

Thank you so much 😀🙏🏼

[@leereeder2293]

Guys Im from the Chicago area and most of these downtowns are great

[@beingkitschroeder2507]

My favorite is Saint Charles. We thought of moving to the Chicago suburbs from Boston about 15 years ago (St Charles, Elmhurst, Evanston, or Naperville) but ultimately selected Shaker Heights, OH for its beautiful architecture and LCOL.

[@ralphieandryan]

Thank you for sharing your experience! Saint Charles is a lovely suburb with a charming downtown area. Each place has its unique charm, and I'm glad you found a great fit for you in Shaker Heights. If you have any more insights or stories to share, feel free to do so. Wishing you continued happiness in your chosen community!

[@JaneDoe-vi5yc]

Hawthorn Woods also had a 1-acre minimum. Unfortunately, they have started building the sardine living crap. I guess rules are only rules until "some people" get greedy.

[@jilledmondson6894]

Frankort, Illinois also has a charming downtown and Old Town historic area.

[@ralphieandryan]

Thank you for your input! It's great to hear about Frankfort's charming downtown and Old Town historic area. We appreciate your suggestion. By the way, we've just uploaded a video highlighting the best south suburbs, and we do indeed mention Frankfort and its downtown in it. We'd be thrilled if you checked it out and shared your feedback. Your insights are valuable to us! kzbin.info/www/bejne/foCWdp-sesqMrZo

[@PCBrian]

I’m glad my downtown is on the list. 😁

[@ralphieandryan]

That's great to hear! I'm so glad your downtown made it onto the list of the top 10 Chicago suburbs with the best downtowns. It's always wonderful to see local communities thriving and offering great amenities and attractions for residents and visitors alike. Thanks for watching and sharing your feedback!

[@leereeder2293]

Tivoli Theatre is in Downers as well

[@cocoaorange1]

Lifelong Chicago gal, but so much I never knew.

[@ralphieandryan]

Thanks for your comment! It's great to hear that you're a lifelong Chicago gal and that there are still so many things you never knew about the city and its suburbs! We hope you'll take some time to explore these downtown areas and discover all the great things they have to offer. Thanks again for your comment!

[@paulakpacente]

I lived in Oak Park, Downers Grove, and Naperville. IMO La Grange should be included, partially due to the fact that I grew up there.

[@ralphieandryan]

Thank you for your comment and for sharing your perspective! I appreciate your input and your personal connection to La Grange. It's great to hear from someone who has lived in multiple Chicago suburbs and can provide their insights. While I didn't include La Grange in the video, I understand that it has its own unique charm and downtown area that may be worth exploring. Each suburb has its own distinct qualities, and it's always interesting to hear different opinions and experiences. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!

[@chooch1995]

Glen Ellyn - milepost 22.5 on the Metra UP West Line. 25 miles west gets you to the west side of Wheaton.

[@ralphieandryan]

Glen Ellyn is a beautiful town. It’s actually where our office is currently at, 45 S Park Blvd Glen Ellyn IL 60137. Are you from the area?

[@leereeder2293]

@@ralphieandryan I'm originally from the area as the line that goes to Elburn was the line I used the most. I knew the Metra trains like the back of my hand

[@leereeder2293]

@@ralphieandryan You guys are west of 53 and south of Roosevelt

[@ralphieandryan]

@@leereeder2293 Thanks for your comment! It's great to hear that you have such fond memories of the area and the Metra trains. The downtowns of the Chicago suburbs are all unique and offer something special to explore. We hope you find the time to visit the area again and revisit some of your favorite spots! Thanks again for your comment!

[@leereeder2293]

No problem guys I knew the area well especially when I traveled on Metra

[@EdwardAndersen]

Saint Charles has a better downtown by the river than Geneva. Most of Geneva's allure is down 3rd street, which is 3 blocks from the river. Saint Charles' downtown sits on both sides of the river.

[@Clickumentary]

I love to enjoy a *merid* of outdoor activities in Geneva! 🙉

[@ralphieandryan]

Thanks for pointing that out!

[@leereeder2293]

3rd St. is phenomenal bar none in Geneva

[@Clickumentary]

@@leereeder2293 the wife and I prefer 3rd Street to any other town. Naperville is trying too hard to be hip or maybe I'm too old now.

[@erikiversen408]

I've been to almost every downtown on your list here and they're all very nice. My wife and I are particular to downtown Naperville, but I'm curious if you research any downtowns south of I-55? Other people mentioned LaGrange, which is really nice, but what about Frankfort, Tinley Park, Lockport or Lemont?

[@debbylou5729]

Frankfort is really nice. I wouldn’t rate it highly because it’s in cook county

[@hima-iv5mc]

@@debbylou5729 frankfort is in will

[@debbylou5729]

@@hima-iv5mc you are right. I was confusing my concerns with its proximity to Cook county, Joliet and all routes to Indiana, when my son moved there.

[@markward8975]

Nice and white in all of these areas bet you're a republican! Naperville what a fucking joke!!! Not man enough to live downtown. You are probably not even from Illinois. I travel the world and when ever I met someone abroad and they say they are from Chicago I say where? Naperville what a fucking joke!!

[@leereeder2293]

Evanston's downtown is the best suburban downtown bar none

[@ralphieandryan]

Agree 😉🙌🏼

[@leereeder2293]

Guys I may have left the Chicago area 10 years ago but know that most of the downtowns that are on this list Ive been to as these are excellent choices as Lombard doesn't have a bad downtown either

[@cocoaorange1]

I live in Uptown, and haunt Davis St a lot.

[@fourthwallbreak]

I grew up in Elmhurst before moving to Japan 17 years ago. FUN FACT!!! Elmhurst Illinois has won the "most pornography searches" of any town in all of the United States of America multiple times!!! Strange that they never won the award again ever since I left... (joke.) But no it's true. Look it up.

[@ralphieandryan]

Wow, that's quite an interesting fun fact about Elmhurst! It's always intriguing to learn about the unique - and sometimes unexpected - distinctions that different towns and cities hold. Your sense of humor about it is great too 😄. It's amazing how diverse the stories and facts can be from one place to another. Thanks for sharing this, and hope you're enjoying your time in Japan!

[@BroBenjiBills]

Were any Southwest suburbs given consideration? Joliet has a walkable downtown that sits on the Des Plaines River. There's a minor league baseball stadium, Harrah's Casino, two micro-breweries and restaurants. There's a public library, some coffee shops, and a couple of entertainment venues. The Rialto Square Theatre is arguably the most beautiful theatre in the entire state of Illinois (kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5qwcqZjopKUatk). TWO Metra train lines connect downtown Joliet to downtown Chicago's Union Station and Lasalle St Station. The Amtrak has a stop in downtown Joliet as well. Historic Lincoln Highway and Route 66 cross paths in downtown Joliet. The Joliet Area Historical Museum is Route 66-centric and the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum, though in its infancy, is note-worthy. There is a cheesecake shop, cookie shop, and homemade candies shop for those with a sweet tooth. Joliet's peer, Aurora (3rd and 2nd largest cities in Illinois respectively), made the list and so I'm wondering why Aurora's downtown in particular was a better candidate.

[@FactStorm]

LOL, Joliet sucks. Yes, it's one of the biggest cities in Illinois and has an influential history and things to do..but for the most part it's downtrodden.

[@Szcza04]

@@FactStorm As a current resident of joliet I agree. Everyday I think to myself when will I leave this area.

[@cocoaorange1]

I would like to visit Joliet.

[@typhoon118]

Deerfield IL??

[@ralphieandryan]

Thanks for watching! Deerfield could be a possibility in the future. It is something we could look into.

[@leereeder2293]

Deerfield isnt bad either

[@kcmap22]

Knowing the crime rates against the nation average would be a good thing to know before I move too.. Just saying, it's a weird world..

[@ralphieandryan]

That would be great information to know! We will defiantly consider looking more into that for future content. Thank you for sharing your ideas with us. It really helps!

[@VoklstWestie]

Why not just title it the best Northside & Western suburbs of Chicago??? Let me guess either you live on the North side or all info is from a Northsider, and you or they say "skitchin" instead of "skeetchen" .....

[@RBraZ21]

Honestly, name one south side downtown that’s nice? Harvey? Dolton? Maybe Oak Lawn?

[@seomei]

@@RBraZ21dolton is super dangerous crimes hate are super high I was informed

[@VoklstWestie]

BIASED North side B.S. no thanks!

[@markward8975]

If you are white and afraid of the big city then all this places are great for you!!

[@mmmbbq]

woo, so edgy!

[@markward8975]

@mmmbbq born and raised in Chicago I know what I'm talking about. Unless you are a muti-million dollar athlete if you are black you not living in any of this places.

[@brittani9742]

@@markward8975 I’m black and live in streeterville in a high rise. Stop acting like we’re all poor and live in undesirable neighborhoods 🙄

[@markward8975]

@brittani9742 you missed the point honey. The rich suburbs are where blacks are "not allowed" to live unless they are rich athletes. I know this from experience. Living in streeterville you say. How many in your building play for the Bulls Bears etc. They don't they live in the wealthy suburbs because you can't build or find a mansion in streeterville!! Since these athletes entertain the white folks it's a status thing for them to say they live next to Micheal Jordan. Sad but true! Look at the crowd at games hugely white! That's just the way it is!!

[@markward8975]

@@seomei what? Hyde Park is in the city! Good for you!