Forget Chicago, Live Near Ravinia For Less: 426 Pleasant in Highland Park
We chatter about starter homes in Chicago all the time, but what about one on the North Shore within walking distance of Ravinia?
This 2-bedroom vintage home at 426 Pleasant in Highland Park just came on the market for less than what you’d pay in many Chicago north side neighborhoods.
Built in 1936, the home is on a 50×130 lot and has a 2-car garage.
The home still has some of its vintage features including built-in bookcases and coved ceilings in the living room.
It also has a separate dining room and a finished basement with an office and a 19×17 family room along with a full bath.
The listing says the kitchen is new. It has cherry cabinets, a wolf 5-burner cook top, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.
Both bedrooms are on the second floor and it has central air.
The house is listed for $35,100 under the 2003 purchase price.
Is this house a deal?
Roberta Goldstein at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.
426 Pleasant: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage, no square footage listed
- Sold in September 2000 for $230,000
- Sold in June 2003 for $405,000
- Currently listed for $369,900
- Taxes of $8626
- Central Air
- Bedroom #1: 15×12
- Bedroom #2: 14×12
- Living room: 19×15
- Dining room: 15×12
- Sunroom: 12×9
- Office: 14×11 (basement)
- Recreation room: 19×17 (basement)
The problem is that lake county taxes are insane…
I like this new trend of throwing in a few houses from nicer ‘burbs. I’d love to have a SFH and often wonder if I should just embrace suburban life, have a car again, eat at my favorite generic chain restaurants, shop at big climate-controlled malls, and enjoy walking around in a quiet, safe ‘hood. But I don’t really like kids and I’d probably be the only gay guy in Highland Park wishing I could find some other smart, funny, childless couples.
“The problem is that lake county taxes are insane…”
It’d be almost the same across the county line in Glencoe (or Northbrook). At least in Lake County you’re less likely to get an increase b/c the County Board president has a lot of family in need of jobs.
I know a gay (guy) couple in hp, danny. if you make the move I can put you in touch with them.
Now if you are SINGLE and gay, this move could be devastating. The equivalent of a single woman adopting 2 cats from the shelter.
I’ve often thought something like this might make a nice second home for my husband-to-be and me rather than doubling down for something extremely expensive in the city. But then I come to my senses and realize it wouldn’t be much fun to play citymouse/burbmouse all week.
Speaking of the SFH in the burbs:
Flossmoor also used to have so many Jews that
1) the local high school was deserted on Jewish holidays
2) the Deli in Homewood (Al’s) didn’t need gentiles to get by…
More Goyim in Highland Park although I do agree there is some Jewish presence.
Life in HP is very Nice…its…just…not…FABULOUS
Thanks a lot Sabrina, wife just called and says she wants to entertain the northshore idea again.
and both ravina elm and braeside are great top schools (dont know which this house is in) and you do get HP high school too.
I love ravina, was just there for the ramsey lewis tribute.
If (i) you’ve only got one kid (and are reasonably certain that you won’t be having another), (ii) are interested in living outside of the city and (iii) your price range is generally in the $400kish range, this place looks pretty hard to beat.
And while no suburb is fabulous, the little village centers in Wilmette, HP, etc. provide more charm, decent (i.e., non-chain) places to eat than the non-north shore suburbs.
“Thanks a lot Sabrina, wife just called and says she wants to entertain the northshore idea again. ”
You should buy this place Groove. The $$ you’d save not have a 2d kid (since there’s no room) would probably be worth it.
Had friends who lived around the corner. Quiet area that’s not particularly close to anything except Ravinia.
I love this thread:) “A single woman adopting 2 cats” LOL!
We think about getting a house with some yard outside the city then come to our senses too. I overheard a guy with his kid at the park talking about possibly moving to the burbs, and he said… “you drive through the burbs and there are lots of EMPTY yards, the kids are all inside playing wii. Living in the city forces you to get out to play with your kids. I’ve been at this park for an hour and a half with my daughter, no way we would do this if we lived outside the city.”
Good point I thought.
I always thought that being in close proximity to Ravinia would be a huge negative. The traffic/train congestion on concert nights is pretty bad and isn’t there a concert just about every night? That being said, my only Ravinia experience was the Gypsie Kings in the rain. I don’t like the Gypsie Kings and I don’t like wet grass, so it wasn’t a fun evening.
“Flossmoor also used to have so many Jews that
1) the local high school was deserted on Jewish holidays”
The school was deserted because we got those days off school as free holidays. Thanks Judaism!
The taxes are far from insane given the caliber of the schools.
And the basement office could be a 3rd BR. Compared to the cost of private schools for two kids (or even one) in Chicago these taxes are downright heap.
This house would be in the Ravinia school area — at least when I attended in the 80’s. I actually grew up (and my parents still live) on the other side of the tracks from here, along St. John’s just north of Ravinia. Traffic & buses on concert nights is a small nuisance but living that close to Ravinia was a net positive. Not sure if this house would be further removed because it’s further from park, or more so because of the lot that exits onto Burton.
*cheap*
Is ‘Ravinia’ a common Chicago drag superstar name? Ravinia Woods… maybe?
Just sayin’…as this thread has more than served it’s purpose in poppin’ a few ‘regular’ CC dudes right out of their closets.
Any one else care to come clean?
“served it’s purpose in poppin’ a few ‘regular’ CC dudes right out of their closets”
well once in college……
“You should buy this place Groove. The $$ you’d save not have a 2d kid (since there’s no room) would probably be worth it”
Anon, i would skip this place at go for the keniworth idea again 🙂 they have an alley system
“Any one else care to come clean?”
why don’t you continue? Or are you already way out… I forget, hard to keep track with so many obviously gay people on this blog
“you drive through the burbs and there are lots of EMPTY yards, the kids are all inside playing wii. Living in the city forces you to get out to play with your kids. I’ve been at this park for an hour and a half with my daughter, no way we would do this if we lived outside the city.”
T.S.,
a very very true statement. but i need to ask how old you think his kids were? wonder if he will be singing a different tune with CPS in the next few years 🙂
OFF-TOPIC, but relevant. Regarding the recent Olympia Fields/Flossmoor post, please note that the famous Keck & Keck “Walter Gray” 1954 house is in foreclosure and in need of rescue ASAP. Address is 7 South Graymoor, in the Graymoor subdivision, is for sale for $129,900, for a five bedrm four+ bath formerly executive house. Listing only shows one photo of exterior. Olympia Fields’ village board is attempting to rescue this house as well. Graymoor contains several large Keck houses, including a restored house at 96 Graymoor, for sale at $500,000. Any mid-century modern rehabbers?
“i would skip this place at go for the keniworth idea again”
So, you’d plow the “no 2d kid” savings into the higher purchase price + higher taxes? May as well send lilgroove to Lab/Parker/Latin.
“You drive through the burbs and there are lots of EMPTY yards, the kids are all inside playing wii.”
Or they’re playing in the back yard, where you can’t see them from the street.
Hi,
I grew up in Highland Park and yes I did go to Braeside and could walk to Ravinia. It is a great location on the late, easy Metra commute into the City, and does have wonderful school and amenities.
Yes, the congestion during the summer was occasionally a pain on Lake Cook and Greenbay rds but you quickly learn that there are plenty of work arounds through the side streets.
I do agree with many of the commentors that it is tough for a single person to live there. It just isn’t common unless you are a widow/widower or recent divorce with kids on the area.
on the Lake I intended that to say
By the way, the house posted is beautiful in my opinion
“Now if you are SINGLE and gay, this move could be devastating. The equivalent of a single woman adopting 2 cats from the shelter. ”
wouldnt be so smart if you are single and straight either. but yeah, if you’re a Manhandler regular, you are going to find this location lacking, I suspect.
unless you are into closeted married men! HAHA
Anon,
Screw parker/latin, i have officially declared LP uncommutable by car.
BTW, the house i beautiful i dont know zoning or permits stuff in lake county. Why not do an addition to the back and add a sun room with a 3br on top?
“why don’t you continue? Or are you already way out… I forget, hard to keep track with so many obviously gay people on this blog”
Really? My gaydar got seriously f’ed up living in Chicago with so many ‘not really, but trying to be hetero’ people. It was like candyland getting back to Chelsea…you are…and you…and of course, you…
As far as me being out, closets weren’t even invented in my day.
“….but yeah, if you’re a Manhandler regular….”
Anyone who IS a Manhandler regular would not dare reveal that in mixed company.
“As far as me being out, closets weren’t even invented in my day.”
So, were your peers in the armoire, wardrobe or chifferobe? Or did that depend on were they grew up? Because…dude, seriously, there has *always* been a closet.
Or did you mean that the key to the closet door hadn’t been found yet?
I hate to bring up the western suburbs again but….
Oak Brook has the best rated schools in the area (Butler/Hinsdale Central) AND has NO municipal taxes. Taxes on a 400k house would be around 3400/year.
You cannot beat this!!!!
So does that mean no move into LP for you Groove?
The outcome of the summer experiment is over already?
“Screw parker/latin, i have officially declared LP uncommutable by car.”
Well, yeah, unless you’re commuting to the loop.
“BTW, the house i beautiful i dont know zoning or permits stuff in lake county. Why not do an addition to the back and add a sun room with a 3br on top?”
Because then you should have just spent the extra $50k on a house that already has a 3d BR, cuz living in a construction zone sux?
” living in Chicago with so many ‘not really, but trying to be hetero’ people. ”
interesting. had lunch with an old girlfriend yesterday and she was complaining about dating a number of guys just like this in recent years.
I grew up on the North Shore and think this is a great home for the price! Sure, it’s a little small, but probably perfect for a couple who doesn’t want to have children, or empty-nesters looking to downsize. It’s hard, hard, hard to find a place nearly this nice in Highland Park or in any of the surrounding North Shore ‘burbs (Glencoe, Winnetka, Wilmette, Lake Forest, etc.).
You could also live here with one child; note the fact that the basement is finished and could serve as a nice playroom for a small child. Also, I wonder if you could even add an addition for a third bedroom? Can’t tell if there is space on the property.
Bottom line: I think this is a great home for the $$.
ARCHITECT: Oh man, that mid-century stuff is just so dreamy cool! why does it have to be located in such a goofy area??
Homewood/Flossmoor? Olympia Fields? Good Grief!
Chichow,
the answer to the summer experiment is well answered. but the experiment continues on.
its great to be close to everything, and lake front walks are pimptastic, even though i am walking eveywhere (when i get home from work) i gained 10 lbs trying out all the eateries around us. 70% of the people are douchey and OZ park is just another park nothing special.
Anon,
true but would get as nice and beautiful of a place for 50k more here?
*i am excluding the weed clovers growing in the grass casue its a easy fix.
come on anon, growing up in NYC closets were hard to find….the beauty of living in a huge city, you can always be yourself
Come to think of it, I and my ‘peers’ were never in a closet…of any sort.
And yes, I am impressed that you know so many styles of…wardrobe storage systems.
LOL @ CH, thanks for confirming my view of the Chicagoland gay male mentality. Must be something in that good ole midwest water that makes one so…manly…or pretend manly…
Groove, comments?
But back to this house…not too bad for the asking price. Actually it is really nice. I was finally able to get to the site listing.
Go HP!
Sabrina, you should post on Fort Sheridan. My parents sold the house (2006 sizzle time) (near Ravinia) east of Sheridan and moved there. Great planned development between Highwood and Lake Forest on the Lake.
http://www.fortsheridan.com/
What I don’t like about Oak Brook is that it has no downtown, no high school,no character. But if you are a wealthy Asian doctor, like to spend all your time at the country club or like gated communities and McMansions, its just the ticket. And $400K will find you a condo or townhouse, hot a SFH in Oak Brook.
“Oak Brook has the best rated schools in the area (Butler/Hinsdale Central) AND has NO municipal taxes. Taxes on a 400k house would be around 3400/year.”
“come on anon, growing up in NYC closets were hard to find….the beauty of living in a huge city, you can always be yourself”
Do you really think there is no one in NYC in the closet? Even today, even in Manhattan, I gar-un-tee-it. Not among your friends and acquaintences, sure. But they’re out there, in the closet.
LOL
*******
anon (tfo) on June 30th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
“JFC people.”
“Oh man, that mid-century stuff is just so dreamy cool! why does it have to be located in such a goofy area??”
logansquarean, you are welcome to consider this Keck & Keck in a non-goofy area at ten times the price. http://www.trulia.com/property/44584675-2939-W-Catalpa-Ave-Chicago-IL-60625
It is nice to see so many midcentury fans here! Here WAS another fabulous midcentury that I actually saw, 5811 Lacey in one of my favorite ‘hoods in Chicago (there were several deer outside on the snowy day I went to see it). Great house in a great area, and I guess it finally sold but took a year. A little more than I wanted to spend. http://atomicindyrealestate.blogspot.com/2009/08/mid-century-modern-home-for-sale-in.html
Dang, ALT, that’s a heckuva listing, that 2939 W Catalpa. . . I’m pretty much in love (except locatio).
But mostly wouldn’t want folks to miss the virtual tour that 1)stars the homeowner 2)skateboarding through his home 3)amidst the most badass commercial kitchen I’ve seen outside a restaurant.
I think if I were to live in Highland Park, I’d rather live here
http://www.redfin.com/IL/Highland-Park/985-Sheridan-Rd-60035/home/17625022
and I’d buy the neighboring house for half the price as well
The Catalpa K&K was Crib-chattered a year ago:
http://cribchatter.com/?p=6748
There’s just no accounting for taste. To me, 985 Sheridan is hideous through and through. Chacun a son gout…
“why does it have to be located in such a goofy area??”
Homewood Flossmoor/Olympia Fields have been the rich southern suburbs along the railroad tracks for over 75 years. That’s why it’s in a “goofy” area. Everything was originally built along the railroad lines so they could transport materials.
Olympia Fields Country Club is one of the finest country clubs in the nation (at least for golf.)
The thing is- neighborhoods and cities change. Look at South Prairie in Chicago. At one time that was THE gold coast (actually Bronzeville was hot stuff too.) And then the rich moved away and it fell on hard times. Only in the last 20 years has it been even close to being resurrected.
I’m sure the Marshall Fields and Pullmans of 1900 would have been shocked to see their neighborhood in 1970.
“I think if I were to live in Highland Park, I’d rather live here”
Very Tony Montana. But it’s lakefront so I give it to you.
“The Catalpa K&K was Crib-chattered a year ago:”
Yeah I know and it was a good discussion from which I abstained. But I missed the virtual tour then, and I’m sorry that was just hugely entertaining me.
Plus, note, perceived hotness of realtor NOT determinative of effectiveness.
Why am I always the voice of reason on this website? Where’s Bob or G when I need them?
$369,000? Come on people, 2 bedrooms – in an area for families – only 2 bedrooms – that once upon a time i.e. – this decade – sold for $230,000?
Granite counter-tops and Jenn-Air does not make luxury. There are deals abound all around HP and the western half of the north shore, especially this far north.
Wake me up when we’re at the 2000 price plus a fraction of the cost of an upgrade.
Here’s a 4/2.5 that sold on 5/7 for $270,000. Bigger lot, better home, sweet deals. Right around the corner from this place. I’d consider buying this if I wanted to live in HP (Which I don’t and probably never would given my family employment situation).
http://www.redfin.com/IL/Highland-Park/522-Green-Bay-Rd-60035/home/17616304
Running this blog only confirms to me how segregated Chicago is as a city by race and by, apparently, religion and sexual orientation.
It’s sad that it is still an issue in a city that is so great in so many other ways.
Plus, Sonies, wouldn’t it be worth the upgrade to Lake Forest instead?
;-0
http://www.redfin.com/IL/Lake-Forest/405-N-Mayflower-Rd-60045/home/17664671
Sabrina, people tend to live where they want to and where they can afford. Why is that “sad”?
Almost thought I was looking at a photo of my own living room here in Rogers Park, when I saw the photos of this house, so much does it resemble the LR in my apartment.
Beautiful little house, but the taxes are death duties. However, Schaumburg and Rolling Meadows taxes are even worse- have a friend in Schaumburg who just got a tax bill for $8500 for a house he’d be lucky to get $180K for. Highland Park is at least a lovely, walkable, village-like suburb on a good rail line, and this house is very pretty. So much cannot be said for Schaumburg or adjacent areas.
If you have to go suburban to give your kid good schools and a safe environment in which she can have a lot of freedom, Highland Park is a great choice.
Ever since cribchatter was outed in the Tribune, the quality of the comments has been going down. It’s become an unfocused chatty support group, like so many other places… sad.
Mid-century west coast style:
http://www.1982windover.com/
Jerry, what’s “sad” is your need to criticize without offering anything productive.
Sabrina:
Marketer’s have been using ZIpcodes for years.
http://zipskinny.com/index.php?zip=60610
Birds of a feather flock together.
People’s comments are racially motivated- whether or not they live in that neighborhood, or, frankly, have ever visited the neighborhood. It’s incredibly sad that so many are so small minded in the city.
Of course, people live where they want to live. But that is not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about the hate that comes out whenever certain neighborhoods are discussed whether they be predominantly black, hispanic, puerto rican, asian, jewish, gay or whatever.
There are some neighborhoods I won’t even chatter about now because I know the hatred will come out in spades.
We’re here to talk about real estate. Someone WILL buy that house or condo- in whatever neighborhood. Yes, YOU may not want to live in that neighborhood, but someone else DOES.
Can’t we just discuss the house?
Sabrina:
“Can’t we just discuss the house?”
I think it is a wonderful goal, but I think it is difficult to isolate just the “house”
There is the:
Is the school any good? e.g. CPS
What is the recurring costs? e.g. assessments, taxes before the monthly nut
What is the neighborhood like? e.g. walkability index…
I mean when you ask “Is this a deal at this price” don’t you take into account all factors? take the good with the bad – the helpful comments AND perhaps the prejudices which ultimately is part of the price?
From the following link:
http://www.city-data.com/city/Chicago-Illinois.html
Races in Chicago:
Black (36.8%)
White Non-Hispanic (31.3%)
Hispanic (26.0%)
Other race (13.6%)
Two or more races (2.9%)
Chinese (1.1%)
Filipino (1.0%)
Asian Indian (0.9%)
American Indian (0.7%)
Other Asian (0.5%)
Somehow, I would take a WAG and say that the CC audience doesn’t mesh up with overall Chicago demographics.
HD,
I am glad you are a BK attorney cause your realtor skillz are hurting. First the waveland place comparing to the jeff park place, and now the greenbay place to this place.
I am not that knowledgeable but i can 100% say that there was a discount due to it being on a MAIN artery street (green bay rd). It does get down to one lane each way over there, but just before that its two lanes each way.
Also the green bay one is a ranch with a vinyl siding back addition where-as this is is a all Brick “french tudor” looking place. (some help me on what style it is)
“70% of the people are douchey and OZ park is just another park nothing special.”
Sounds about right. BTW and OT, Indian Boundary Park is great. Some places around there have been on CC. If little DZ could get himself into Decatur Classical, I’d think about living around there and dealing with the commute.
You’d make a better realtor than a lawyer. You can point out all the differences you want, like this is on a main street, this has vinyl siding, this is here, this-that-and the other, but in the end, most of it comes down to location and square footage.
My houses in HP are a stone’s throw away from each other, similarly sized and similarly priced. Yes, every house is unique – but – not unique enough so to justify the french tutor cottage at about $100k over the house on green bay. I’d take the house on Green Bay for $270,000 any day if I wanted to live in HP. That house I would call a ‘deal’.
The jefferson park and portage park houses were merely to show general northwest side pricing i.e. some flipper bought for $100k earlier in the year and then is flipping it a few months later in the $300’s. It’s happening all over regardless of the hood on the northwest side.
“#Groove77 on July 1st, 2010 at 7:41 am
HD,
I am glad you are a BK attorney cause your realtor skillz are hurting. First the waveland place comparing to the jeff park place, and now the greenbay place to this place.
I am not that knowledgeable but i can 100% say that there was a discount due to it being on a MAIN artery street (green bay rd). It does get down to one lane each way over there, but just before that its two lanes each way.
Also the green bay one is a ranch with a vinyl siding back addition where-as this is is a all Brick “french tudor” looking place. (some help me on what style it is)”
P.s. BK is only about half of my time, i have completely random mix of cases including real estate litigation, commercial litigation, defense work, collections, real estate transactional, and various other things.
‘You can point out all the differences you want, like this is on a main street, … but in the end, most of it comes down to location and square footage. ”
How, exactly, does “on a main street” not equal “location”? Distinguish that one for us, counselor.
“not unique enough so to justify the french tutor cottage at about $100k over the house on green bay.”
To me i think that its worth the 100k more. (but thats me) i mean if i am making a commute and giving street cred card up to live in the burbs….i want to pull up to a beautiful house on a quiet street and feel like its worth it.
“I’d take the house on Green Bay for $270,000 any day if I wanted to live in HP. That house I would call a ‘deal’”
i think the deals in HP are west of green bay and north of central, but thats just going off the way the housing stock looks when i drive by it.
“is flipping it a few months later in the $300’s. It’s happening all over regardless of the hood on the northwest side”
But taking a rundown foreclosed place doing quality work, not top of the line stuff but quality work, then selling a “like new” house the flipper does deserve some compensation for the risk/work/time.
yes sometimes they are greedy but soem times they are good take that flipper place in montclare…. the guy did a great job remodeled it better than what the hood is, and priced it for what the hood is.
Westloopelo: “Any one else care to come clean?”
I’m straight, but can best be compared to the single lady with 2 cats (despite the fact that I’m male and don’t have any pets).
I also love mid-century modern, and was really taken by the Bertrand Goldberg house in Flossmoor that Sabrina recently posted. I’ve currently got my eye on a 1960 tri-level (bedroom above garage) in Racine, WI, right on the lake. I don’t even want to post a link to it, as I’m afraid someone else might grab it.
I’m giving serious consideration to purchasing a relatively inexpensive house beyond the cheddar curtain, while keeping a rental in the City/Evanston.
“I’ve currently got my eye on a 1960 tri-level (bedroom above garage) in Racine, WI, right on the lake. I don’t even want to post a link to it, as I’m afraid someone else might grab it.”
Funny, friends have a weekend house about 2 blocks away from that one (yes, I sleuthed it out). I think the asking price for that place is a little optimistic unless the condition of the place is better than it looks in the pix.
But that view from the frontyard–if you’re a lake person, it’s hard to beat.
From Will: “Mid-century west coast style:”
If going outside of Chi., look at Sarasota, FL listings; I am partial to Mayflower St. for 299K. http://modernsarasota.mfr.mlxchange.com/?Page=7987573
Guess I need to move in order to find a place that suits my wallet & my taste
Excellent discussion thread.
Let me say as a former Bucktown resident (well, we didn’t sell the condo-we’re renting it)— living in Ravinia seems to be the next best thing…it’s got enough hustle-bustle that this doesn’t feel like a ‘suburb anywhere in America’. There’s enough of a vibe that a city ex-patriot may feel at home-and maybe even happy here 😉 It’s not Bucktown but why compare apples to oranges?
Taxes suck in Lake County, but compared to private city school tuition for 3 kids ($15-18,000 per year x 3 kids for years and years = disgusting amount of money before college even starts), I’ll take the awesome house, yard, Ravinia and the excellent public school system.
Ravinia concert traffic: not that big of a deal, to our happy surprise. We live within earshot of the concert music on St. Johns.
Overall it was a good move for us, but we miss the city of course.
“70% of the people are douchey and OZ park is just another park nothing special.”
lol. We are moving to OT/LP soon, so *hopefully* the “douchey” factor will decrease.
It wont, if anything it will increase
“How, exactly, does “on a main street” not equal “location”? Distinguish that one for us, counselor.”
Easy.
As Groove explained .. “i think the deals in HP are west of green bay and north of central, but thats just going off the way the housing stock looks when i drive by it.”
There you go. That’s location.
Drive 20 minutes north and check out prices on a 2 bedroom tutor in North Chicago or Waukegan.
Then you’ll understand location, location, location.
“Then you’ll understand location, location, location.”
Okay, so let me get this straight. A house on Western Avenue has an equivalent location to one with the same house on, say, Hoyne? Or Irving Park vs. Byron or Belle Plaine or Berteau or Grace?
That’s your argument?
Really?
As you say, location, location, location. There’s a reason it’s repeated–the *exact* location matters. We regularly get into the corner v mid-block, alley-adjacent v not and what’s across the street discussions here. If each of those is sometimes very important, how can you plausibly claim that major street v not doesn’t make any difference?
Doesn’t pass the straight face test.
“same house *NUMBER*”
sorry.
“If going outside of Chi., look at Sarasota, FL listings; I am partial to Mayflower St. for 299K. http://modernsarasota.mfr.mlxchange.com/?Page=7987573 ”
I worked on a project in Sarasota in the late 90s. Stayed in a great townhouse near the beach, but man, that town rolled up the sidewalks at 8:00 PM. It’s probably changed, and maybe there are more young people now; but back then it was mostly retirees. And the Amish. And retired Amish.
Within reason, Anon.
And if you’re comparing traffic and QOL Green Bay road in Highland Park to that of being directly on Western Ave or Irving Park road, then i’m not the one being disingenuous.
Green Bay road is more like Hoyne than Western. I see houses on green bay road, I see car dealerships on western.
anon (tfo) on July 1st, 2010 at 12:19 pm
“Then you’ll understand location, location, location.”
Okay, so let me get this straight. A house on Western Avenue has an equivalent location to one with the same house on, say, Hoyne? Or Irving Park vs. Byron or Belle Plaine or Berteau or Grace?
That’s your argument?
Really?
“I see houses on green bay road, I see car dealerships on western.”
Well, both houses and car dealerships, really. This place is next to a car dealership. I don’t really mean to intrude in your discussion with anon. Have just been looking for a good excuse to post this curiosity. Under #300K SFH in Bell!!
http://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/3835-N-Western-Ave-60618/home/13389095
about location, location, location…
in chicago its a street by street thing, out in the burbs its a area by area thing, and some burbs it as big as a burb by burb thing.
you can compare a house on fullerton and cicero to a house on western and chicago, its just not comparable.
but you can compare a house with the garage in front in deerfeild to a house with a garage in front in northbrook. two different towns (counties in some parts).
Gosh i hate burb homes with the garage greeting the street before the house.
“you can compare a house on fullerton and cicero to a house on western and chicago, its just not comparable”
oops CANT compare
“Under #300K SFH in Bell!!”
On the other side of the same block–it would sell for ~$125-150k more, as *exactly the same* house.
The HP houses are not *close* to exactly the same, but have the same initial asking price–HD’s GBR prop was listed for $369 last October. So, maybe this one closes for the same price, or only 10% more.
“Within reason [busy streets are the same as side streets]”
So, given the choice b/t two *exactly identical* houses, on identically sized lots, one on GBR the other on Pleasant, if the GBR one was $1 less, that’s the one you’d choose? I’m not arguing that the Pleasant location is worth 37% more, but it is worth *something* more, isn’t it? Or are you going to stick with the “location, location, location is exactly the same, same, same”?
Wait, it can’t be too bad of a deal – it’s contingent in less than 29 days.
Good deals sell quick. Location is bell, bell bell
“#DZ on July 1st, 2010 at 1:36 pm
“I see houses on green bay road, I see car dealerships on western.”
Well, both houses and car dealerships, really. This place is next to a car dealership. I don’t really mean to intrude in your discussion with anon. Have just been looking for a good excuse to post this curiosity. Under #300K SFH in Bell!!
http://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/3835-N-Western-Ave-60618/home/13389095“
Madeline — ha ha ha! I’m sorry to say it, I really am. But an 8 p.m. retirement sounds like the perfect place for me these days.
sweet location, nice house, priced a bit high maybe..
Ravinia Park runs a tight ship and traffic is rarely a problem, and you learn to avoid the tight spots. Walking distance to restaurants, train, school (Ravinia School is the best), parks, tot lots tennis courts, and some unique shops. Lake and beach are further away, RE taxes are high, but in summer totally worth it.
anon(tfo): “Funny, friends have a weekend house about 2 blocks away from that one (yes, I sleuthed it out). I think the asking price for that place is a little optimistic unless the condition of the place is better than it looks in the pix.”
This is one of the few house listings where the house interior looks better than the pictures. Most of the time, the pictures are misleading the other way (like internet dating over age 35).
The lake view is killer — 180 degrees. From Wind Point lighthouse to the yacht club. Plus Racine North Beach is one of the nicest urban beaches I’ve seen in lower Lake Michigan. There’s no power plant to crap up the view.
I’m still pondering whether a move that far north is realistic for me. The Amtrak Hiawatha station is 8 miles west of town, getting to Union Station in 65 minutes. The train currently tops out at 80 mph, with only 1 intermediate stop in Glenview.
“The Amtrak Hiawatha station is 8 miles west of town, getting to Union Station in 65 minutes.”
I never want to have to say things like this out loud in the first person.
(To be clear: Love Racine, agree with you re: beaches, etc.. Just wouldn’t commute from there.)
“I’m still pondering whether a move that far north is realistic for me. The Amtrak Hiawatha station is 8 miles west of town, getting to Union Station in 65 minutes. The train currently tops out at 80 mph, with only 1 intermediate stop in Glenview.”
Good luck with those frequencies (which stink). You must have a job that doesn’t require any flexibility on the hours. Miss that train and you are f’d.
Thanks SquareD and JMM for helping me think through my decision. I work for myself (sole proprietor) and my clients are all over the Chicago area. So most of the time I’ll need to be driving. My clients are large industries, manufacturing facilities, etc., so being in Racine would give me good access to potential clients in Milwaukee too.
A city rental would allow me a place to crash during the work week (typically Mon-Thu), while going home to WI for a longer weekend. I’m just trying to figure out if I could realistically keep two places, or will it just drive me to be broke and tired from all of the driving. However, I REALLY like this house, location, and price.
“will it just drive me to be broke and tired from all of the driving”
The broke part you should be able to figure out pretty easily for yourself, but the driving–if you are genuinely flexible on the–shouldn’t be too hard. Given what you say about your job, you’d probably want two cars, so you could take the train back and forth sometimes and still get around for work, etc. on the other end.
This house is nice, but too expensive. The house on Green Bay that homedelete pointed out @ $270,000 is not a good comparison however. The Green Bay house is a wreck, I went to an open house there this spring. It used to have a detached garage, but the space between the garage and the house was enclosed and the garage was turned into a home business (looked like acupuncture or massage or something). The basement height was less than 7 feet and suitable only for storage – in fact it was partitioned into a bunch of storage areas. The kitchen was super old and there was practically no yard – mostly driveway in the front and a deck with a very sloped backyard.
I think perhaps a better comparison would be 423 Broadview, which is almost directly behind the 426 Pleasant house and sold for $365,000 in the spring. It’s a 3BR and probably 500 sq ft larger and built in the same time period. But it needed a new kitchen.
My guess is $320,000 to $340,000 will get this house sold.
Tipster,
Thanks! HD has a tendency to pick an anomalous comp-one which is around the price he thinks houses should cost, as opposed to what they actually cost.
Dahliachi, I pick what houses do cost. The green bay house actually closed. You can try and distinguish the green bay house but you can change the fact that its a comp and in this selling environment there aren’t very many of them to go around.
Sabrina on July 1st, 2010 at 7:17 am
People’s comments are racially motivated- whether or not they live in that neighborhood, or, frankly, have ever visited the neighborhood. It’s incredibly sad that so many are so small minded in the city.
“…the hate that comes out whenever certain neighborhoods are discussed whether they be predominantly black, hispanic, puerto rican, asian, jewish, gay or whatever.
There are some neighborhoods I won’t even chatter about now because I know the hatred will come out in spades.
We’re here to talk about real estate. Someone WILL buy that house or condo- in whatever neighborhood. Yes, YOU may not want to live in that neighborhood, but someone else DOES.”
Very good statement and I agree totally.
But I think you would do your readers a great disservice if you do not include properties located in certain ethnic neighborhoods based solely on some comments coming from a more ignorant mindset.
Not all readers are intolerant of ethnic diversity and I think those who are not just do not post their thoughts in defense of those hoods as they would be outnumbered by the haters.
I hope all of us regular posters…actually ALL readers, will take away something of value from this thread after reading the uncalled for comments.
anon(tfo): “Given what you say about your job, you’d probably want two cars, so you could take the train back and forth sometimes and still get around for work, etc. on the other end.”
A friend suggested that I could take the Amtrak to Union Station, pick up an iGo car, do my business, and be back for the evening train. I haven’t checked iGo prices yet, but it would give me peace of mind not to have two cars at the mercy of two police departments.
I’ve been doing lots of reading about the Hiawatha line. Amtrak is purchasing 2 new sets of passenger cars, using stimulus money. These cars are made by a Spanish Company named TALGO, and will be capable of high speed travel once the rails, crossings, and locomotives are up to high-speed caliber. All of the seats are “business class” and include outlets and wifi.
In addition, TALGO will be opening a manufacturing facility in Milwaukee for the assembly of rail cars for the midwest market. The current maximum speed on the Hiawatha line is 80 mph, but could probably achieve 110 mph with the proper upgrades. Imagine if the travel time from Racine to Union Station is reduced to 45 minutes. That would make it equivalent to Metra travel times for many suburbs.
Thanks everyone for indulging my off-topic discussion. Does anyone have any experience with iGo cars?
The Metra is very quick and efficient from Ravinia. You can do an express to Ogilve in about 35 minutes or the regular route in about 40-45 min
blah blah….ramble on. It’s you who have the ignorant mindset, imho. If diversity was so great then we wouldn’t see “liberals” self-segregate themselves to places like HP, Glencoe, NBK and Buffalo Grove and then support apartheid in israel!! LMAO! Robert Putnam is a Harvard professor that has proven that diversity ruins communities and makes people less trusting: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_D._Putnam#Diversity_and_trust_within_communities
“more diversity in a community has a correlation [expressed as a beta equal to 0.04 in a multiple regression analysis (see Putnam, 2007), to LESS trust both between and within ethnic groups.”
another classic, Steve Sailer’s story about try to build a park in Uptown, working with diversity, and it failings for society: http://www.vdare.com/sailer/diversity.htm
westlooplo: “….a more ignorant mindset.
Not all readers are intolerant of ethnic diversity”
I take the Amtrak to Milwaukee pretty regularly. The only problem with the route is that the train constantly gets thwarted by freight. It either has to run behind it, pull over for it, or stop while it crosses in front of it.