The 7-Bedroom Horton Mansion Is Still On The Market In Beverly: 10200 S. Longwood Drive
We last chattered about the Horton Mansion at 10200 S. Longwood Drive in Beverly in July 2012.
See our prior chatter here.
The house is known as the Horton Mansion because, according to Curbed Chicago, it was built for Horace Horton, the founder of Chicago Bridge & Iron, in 1890.
If you recall it sits on a huge lot of about a half an acre on top of the hill measuring 102.87x260x99.69×236.6.
The house has a lot of its vintage features intact, including crown molding and wood work. It also has 4 wood burning fireplaces, including one in the master bedroom.
5 of the 7 bedrooms are on the second floor with the other two on the third floor.
It also has features you would expect in a mansion including a first floor library.
Modern amenities including an updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances and central air.
Originally listed at $1.1 million, it had been reduced to just under a million at $999,999.
But it has been sitting at that price over 6 months.
What price will it take to sell this house in 2013?
Darya Lisserman at Jameson Sotheby’s still has the listing. See the pictures here.
10200 S. Longwood: 7 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 2 car garage, 9200 square feet
- Last sold in January 1987 (I couldn’t determine a price)
- Originally listed in April 2012 for $1.1 million
- Reduced
- Was listed in July 2012 at $999,999
- Currently still listed at $999,999
- Taxes of $10,168
- Central Air
- Bedroom #1: 21×31 (second floor)
- Bedroom #2: 16×16 (second floor)
- Bedroom #3: 17×24 (second floor)
- Bedroom #4: 18×16 (second floor)
- Bedroom #5: 12×20 (second floor)
- Bedroom #6: 15×18 (third floor)
- Bedroom #7: 15×20 (third floor)
- Library: 20×16 (main floor)
- Family room: 19×12 (main floor)
Beverly doesn’t work for me (or many families where one person works in NW or N suburbs), and this seems like a huge money suck. For once a house is just too large. Beautiful, with lots of potential and gorgeous original features, but it will take the right buyer!
Never buy the most expensive house in the neighborhood.
Gorgeous! Wallpaper has got to go though, holy cow.
Like Herman Cain’s 9-9-9 plan this price of 999k will be long forgotten when it finally sells for 650k
I wonder what the annual maintenance costs are for this house.
I doubt the owners would be willing to accept the price someone would actually pay for this place. It’s gorgeous and “should” be worth what they are asking, but I don’t see anyone paying that price simply because people shopping in this price range, aren’t looking in Beverly.
I wonder if this place would be better off as a commercial conversion. It might make more sense to be divided up as small office spaces for say insurance agents, or a real estate office, or portrait photography studio. I agree with Jenny that there just is no market for a $1m house in Beverly.
Java, not everyone works on the northside or in the north or northwest suburbs. Actually, this may not even be that bad of a commute to the NW burbs thanks to 294. Many people do work in the SW burbs though, and if they want to remain living in the city, why not Beverly?
I think this is a beautiful home (owned I believe by a local news person) but I would think it would be a little easier sale if they did some removing of wallpaper and redecorating. I think the buyers of $1M houses in Beverly are rare, and anyone walking in is going to see big redecorating costs.
It also stinks that while this house has a huge lot that 99% of it is front yard instead of backyard space.
Jenny said “…I don’t see anyone paying that price simply because people shopping in this price range, aren’t looking in Beverly…”
I looked up a home I remembered having sold – 9822 S. Longwood sold for $1,050,000 in September, 2011. 9822 is 3936 sq ft masonry 2+ story Dutch colonial on similar sized lot. Other comps support the belief that people capable of paying this price do shop in Beverly too. Fwiw I saw the following ‘review’ of Beverly posted on Trulia summary of 9822 – “I have lived in or near Beverly since 1982 and I love this place. It’s a safe, affordable and diverse community with great people (who make great neighbors).”
minus $100k for stealing Santa’s sleigh. (see last photo)
*I* don’t work in the ‘burbs (I actually work in the city on the south side), but my spouse’s commute would be absolutely unbearable for Beverly. I think it works well for people who can take the Metra to work (not us).
This is so far away from the downtown area, it may as well be a far flung suburb. Is there a south suburban equivalent of Winnetka?
” Is there a south suburban equivalent of Winnetka?”
Olympia fields/Flossmore
Orland Park is the Morton Grove of the south side
jenny said “This is so far away from the downtown area, it may as well be a far flung suburb. Is there a south suburban equivalent of Winnetka?” Wtf? It’s maybe 15 miles to State & Madison via Dan Ryan exway which means it’s closer than Morton Grove or Northwestern U in Evanston. Also within 2 blocks of Metra which connects downtown in under 30 comfortable minutes. And I disagree w/ Groove – Oak Lawn is the Morton Grove of the southwest side. Orland Park is several rungs up the socio-economic ladder from Morton Grove.
I wonder what this house would cost if it was in Olympia Fields or Flossmore.
“And I disagree w/ Groove – Oak Lawn is the Morton Grove of the southwest side. Orland Park is several rungs up the socio-economic ladder from Morton Grove”
Okay lets get this set;
Winnetka/Willmette/Glencoe=Homewood/Flossmore/Olympia Fleilds
Morton Groove=Oak Lawn
Orland Park=the hillbilly glenview or the nice part of niles?
Tinley Park=Waukegan?
Kankakee=Madison WI?
Evergreen=Schaumberger?
Google Maps driving directions from State/Madison:
Northwestern: 14.3mi
This Property: 15.7mi
Metra home commutes:
Ogilvie to Evanston (Davis St): 5:21p-5:45p (24min)
LaSalle St to 103rd: 5:20p-5:47p (27min)
“Google Maps driving directions”
Google Maps driving *TIMES* from State/Madison:
Northwestern: 33 min (current = 47)
This Property: 25 min (current = 28)
oh, that’s *to* S/M, from each location, rather than from.
“I wonder what this house would cost if it was in Olympia Fields or Flossmore.”
Less!
Have you seen the Flossmoor market lately? All I can say is “wow.” Huge deals there. Must be big turnover in the baby boomer homeowners and Gen X just doesn’t want to deal with the big, expensive old house on the big lot.
Sabrina — funny you mention that because my wife and I are taking a long look at Flossmoor. Amazing values compared to the north and west suburbs. I know young people supposedly want to stay in the city forever, but as has been mentioned time and again, that is simply not affordable for most families. It seems to me that there is a huge opportunity for Homewood and Flossmoor to target the Millennials as affordable alternatives to the northern and western suburbs. With the student loan debt and bleak job prospects burdening that generation, where else are they going to be able to afford to raise a family if they need access to the Loop?
I wouldn’t live in Evanston or Beverly and if I had to choose between the two, I might end up picking Beverly. Both are too far from downtown for my taste. One of my closest friends lives in Evanston and it feels like we may as well be in different states since neither of us ever feels like driving to the other’s house. We try to find a restaurant halfway between us when we’re going to see each other.
“We try to find a restaurant halfway between us when we’re going to see each other.”
You can tell you’re not much of a commuter. Evanston isn’t that bad & it’s not that far, heck it even has an El line. In Chicagoland the burbs go on and on and on and on.
“Both are too far from downtown for my taste.”
Downtown serves a purpose but its maybe 10% of Chicago or 3% of Chicagoland is about. And downtown is a PITA if you have a car. Maybe your friend doesn’t visit you downtown because she doesn’t want to pay $5/hour to park? At least where she lives you can park off the street.
Downtown rather sucks. Yeah the architecture is nice & all, but its soulless with a bunch of people not interested in being social (generally) and the kind of people who have a telescope in their unit so they can look at others. Anyone who thinks downtown Chicago is quintessentially Chicago is from Ohio or Iowa.
I bought house in Beverly 5 years ago, moved here from downtown. Beverly like any other neighborhood has pros and cons in my honest opinion.
Pros -very safe, very little crime compared to any other neighborhood – crime map on Chicago Tribune website is very accurate. Crime is lower than in any other neighborhood of Chicago, as low as Wilmette/Winnetka, what really surprises me… Easy commute – Ryan is much better than any other expressway, I work in the city, take it every day, 30 minutes to Chicago/State after rush hours, and 50 minutes in rush hour traffic. Great houses, great neighbors. Biking is the best and safest, and kids play safely outside. We have great block parties, fun, warm and friendly.
Cons – too quiet, no places to go, no downtown area like in Northshore suburbs. Only bars on Western, not much to do.. Excellent place, if you have family with several kids, and not so comfortable for single people. Too many houses have deferred maintenance, no updates since 70s, sell for low prices.
“Anyone who thinks downtown Chicago is quintessentially Chicago is from Ohio or Iowa.”
And what do you, an anyone sort-of-from Ohio, think is ‘quintessentially Chicago’? And I don’t mean any romanticized historical Chicago that doesn’t exist now, I mean 21st c. Chicago.
Jenny brings up a great point-people from Ohio are idiots. Having been condemned to Cincinnati for a 5-year stretch, Muffy and Biff like to think they are SO cosmopolitan and gush to their friends about the “danger” of living in Bucktown and having a cocktail at the Matchbox, when in reality they prefer wearing matching fair isle sweaters and not being confused as a gay couple on their way to an off-Halsted production of Glee. Go back to Over the Rhine, hillbillies.
I can’t stand living more than a 20 minute commute from work. I don’t know how people commute every single day. I worked in Evanston for a short time, while living near Halsted and Roosevelt and I would come home so drained from the commute, that I would watch TV for hours and zone out. It was very depressing.
So I want to move to Flossmoor now… just need to look it up on a map, ha. Seriously though, check this place out http://www.redfin.com/IL/Flossmoor/1648-Western-Ave-60422/home/12872489, about what we paid for our 2/2 here (Lakeview) in 2006!
Oh man, scratch that! Way too close to the in-laws in NWI, haha. Too bad:(
“One of my closest friends lives in Evanston and it feels like we may as well be in different states since neither of us ever feels like driving to the other’s house.”
Maybe ride a bike, if not the el or Metra.
Never been to Beverly, but I’d venture there’s one difference between it and Evanston: (yes, you guessed it) proximity to the lake. I’ve run from Diversey to Evanston and, except for a brief stretch of Rogers Park, it’s beautiful experience.
“Way too close to the in-laws in NWI, haha.”
Wouldn’t you be terrified to live on Western Avenue?
“I’ve run from Diversey to Evanston and, except for a brief stretch of Rogers Park, it’s beautiful experience.”
You run along the lakefront trail? Because Loyola Beach is probably the best beach in the city
“You run along the lakefront trail?”
Suspect he means the stretch just north of there, from Touhy to Juneway, where there isn’t a lakefront trail (yeah yeah access, beach, etc; no reasonable way to run it in the middle of a long run).
“Suspect he means the stretch just north of there, from Touhy to Juneway, where there isn’t a lakefront trail (yeah yeah access, beach, etc; no reasonable way to run it in the middle of a long run).”
That is correct.
Also Flossmoor is cheap because its practically in Will county, 45 minute train ride each way? no thanks, i’d rather live in a smaller place. yes a 5000 sqft home for 400k seems great till you have to maintain it
Right I forgot about that part of the trail
Vera (January 2, 2013, 11:40 pm)
I bought house in Beverly 5 years ago, moved here from downtown. Beverly like any other neighborhood has pros and cons in my honest opinion.
Pros -very safe, very little crime compared to any other neighborhood – crime map on Chicago Tribune website is very accurate. Crime is lower than in any other neighborhood of Chicago, as low as Wilmette/Winnetka, what really surprises me… Easy commute – Ryan is much better than any other expressway, I work in the city, take it every day, 30 minutes to Chicago/State after rush hours, and 50 minutes in rush hour traffic. Great houses, great neighbors. Biking is the best and safest, and kids play safely outside. We have great block parties, fun, warm and friendly.
Cons – too quiet, no places to go, no downtown area like in Northshore suburbs. Only bars on Western, not much to do.. Excellent place, if you have family with several kids, and not so comfortable for single people. Too many houses have deferred maintenance, no updates since 70s, sell for low prices.
Pretty Accurate description. However, I struggle why anyone would go with Beverly if they aren’t a city worker required to live in the City. NW side like Edison, Sauganash, Edgebrook, Old Norwood offer much more in terms of convenience for transport (Ohare, Metra, Blueline, Kennedy, Edens), shopping and Restaurants/Bars. Granted I love the housing stock in Beverly and the actual neighborhood feel and its much cheaper than the NW side but would never personally move there.
“but I’d venture there’s one difference between it and Evanston: (yes, you guessed it) proximity to the lake”
are you part fish, amphibious, or Aquaman or something? you have this odd boner fetish for proximity to water?
i am surprised with your views on importance you dont live in a place like this
http://www.redfin.com/IL/Lake-Villa/36750-N-Corona-Dr-60046/home/17738729
Groove77 (January 3, 2013, 10:11 am)
“but I’d venture there’s one difference between it and Evanston: (yes, you guessed it) proximity to the lake”
are you part fish, amphibious, or Aquaman or something? you have this odd boner fetish for proximity to water?
i am surprised with your views on importance you dont live in a place like this
http://www.redfin.com/IL/Lake-Villa/36750-N-Corona-Dr-60046/home/17738729
Nice amenity. I would love to be right near the lake. Beverly is MUCH MUCH cheaper than a nice place in a good hood in Evanston. I’d chose Evanston over Beverly any day of the week
“Orland Park is the Morton Grove of the south side”
It’s more like the NBK/Glenview of that area. Lots of strip shopping malls, a regional mall, etc. Unless it’s turning to crap demographics like everywhere else in established 1960-1990 suburbia? I haven’t been down to 159th Street in 10 years.
Flossmoor is cheaper now, because it’s becoming black. The Jews in the area, forexample, are fleeing the influx of blacks in the classic form of “flight” and self-segregation, as is their pattern always. Ravisloe country club had to close because of this. How much long can things last down there before classic panic-peddling sets in? I wouldn’t invest down there because of it.
I spoke recently with an older guy who attended Bogan HS on the Southside. He said in the late 70’s there were only 3 Chicago high schools that were (almost) all-White: Bogan, Hubbard, and Taft. The liberals and anti-white racist crowd (some of who probably golfed at Ravisloe) targeted these 3 schools with a laser beam, the busing started, then the neighborhoods changed, the “panic-peddler” real estate whores started their game, and these neighborhoods and high schools (Bogan and Hubbard) changed literally overnight. That’s what he told me, point blank. I see no reason this won’t happen to the south suburbs over time. The Jews leaving the area is the harbinger/canary-in-the-mine, they always flee first, then you might have some hardy, more tolerant white ethnics that stick it out longer and work with the situation (Poles, Lithuanians, Irish, Italians, mixed white, etc.) but eventually they go too.
Most of these comments are completely off topic. This is a historic house that should appeal to an executive or a professional who appreciates living on a hill in a fairly gracious area. Restoring these old places is a labor of love. I think this one was a former crack house when the owner bought it. Granted the decorating here could use some updating and the wallpaper, although expensive has limited appeal but the house has great bones and is perfect for a large family. Homes of this caliber in Evanston are selling for more and the area is no safer. There is plenty of gang activity at Evanston High and recently there have been a number of shootings in the surrounding neighborhood. So it’s a matter of personal taste. No area is without crime. Anyone who thinks otherwise is living in a fool’s paradise.
” However, I struggle why anyone would go with Beverly if they aren’t a city worker required to live in the City.”
There’s a million reasons to live in Beverly, primarily because you’re a southsider who could never fathom living on the northside. Also cost, it’s much cheaper to live in Beverly than NW side, much much cheaper.
as far as helmet’s insight as to floosmoor turning black so it’s cheaper – that’s not necessarily true. IT’s turnign cheaper because the residents who are moving to floosmoor have lower incomes, and they just so happen to be primarily black. Cause and effect here.
I wouldn’t write off Flossmoor to white flight just yet. No doubt there has been some turnover, but there are still plenty of white people living in and moving to the area. Plus, the black families moving to the area are pretty affluent. The area should maintain a stable demographic mix much like Beverly and Hyde Park. There is too much upside in H-F for it to turn like the other south side neighborhoods and southern suburbs, which were decidedly more working class. The younger generation of white families moving to the area don’t care about having black neighbors. They just want a nice community.
The bigger problem with the area is PR — outside of people that grew up in or otherwise have family in the area, not many people know a lot about Homewood and Flossmoor.
homedelete (January 3, 2013, 11:39 am)
” However, I struggle why anyone would go with Beverly if they aren’t a city worker required to live in the City.”
There’s a million reasons to live in Beverly, primarily because you’re a southsider who could never fathom living on the northside. Also cost, it’s much cheaper to live in Beverly than NW side, much much cheaper.
as far as helmet’s insight as to floosmoor turning black so it’s cheaper – that’s not necessarily true. IT’s turnign cheaper because the residents who are moving to floosmoor have lower incomes, and they just so happen to be primarily black. Cause and effect here.
I agree Beverly is cheaper but I don’t see Beverly offering any of the amenities the NW Side does that attracts non city workers. Edison Park is a perfect example – sure there are cops and fire that live there but also plenty of professionals who like the convenience of the Metra, O’Hare and of course the convenience of being right near Kennedy, Edens and 294. Plus the neighbor suburbs are pretty decent like Park Ridge, Niles close to Glenview etc.
What Im saying is I get why someone would go to Edison. I don’t get the attraction of Beverly if you are NOT required to live in the city and you do NOT have family off 95st.
“I don’t see Beverly offering any of the amenities the NW Side does that attracts non city workers. Edison Park is a perfect example.”
OT: I heard that the new Rosemont bar/restaurant complex is destroying the business of the Edison Park places.
helmethofer: and these neighborhoods and high schools (Bogan and Hubbard) changed literally overnight.
Literally overnight, eh? That’s some fast turnaround. In one night!
What Im saying is I get why someone would go to Edison. I don’t get the attraction of Beverly if you are NOT required to live in the city and you do NOT have family off 95st.”
you dont want F’ING planes flying overhead every fricken 5 minutes when trying to watch a movie with the windows open.
Helmethofer –those of us who were around and watched the Bogan broads spew their hatred daily on local news stations during the desegregation efforts of the 1970’s have a hard time being sympathetic. They were ethnic Poles, Irish etc. And I take issue with your claim that Jews are the canary in the coal mine when it comes to white flight. Seems to me your comments have little to do with this house or this neighborhood. I think we should confine ourselves to the real estate market here and keep the comments about minorities and the makeup of different areas to a minimum.
“So I want to move to Flossmoor now… just need to look it up on a map, ha. Seriously though, check this place out http://www.redfin.com/IL/Flossmoor/1648-Western-Ave-60422/home/12872489, about what we paid for our 2/2 here (Lakeview) in 2006!”
There is the rub….once you look at a map you won’t like Flossmoor anymore. The housing is awesome but the location is like living in Waukegan except south. Ugh! Beverly seems like downtown compared to Flossmoor.
“the location is like living in Waukegan except south”
By Metra, Waukegan is nearly twice as far from the loop, and driving distance, Flossmoor is more comparable to Highland Park or Lincolnshire.
If you’re willing to go as far out as Flossmoor, doesn’t NW Indiana become a realistic option? Why not live near 3 Floyds and get off the hook for the looming IL pension disaster?
thanks Homewrecker, you have confirmed the facts as I was told them, including the deliberate anti-white racist “desegregation efforts”. It’s amazing to view your openly hostile and bigoted views against Polish, Irish people etc. I have to laugh when people like Homewrecker yield to the impulse to rip the facade away and just declare their open contempt for whites. No wonder everyone moved out!!!
“If you’re willing to go as far out as Flossmoor, doesn’t NW Indiana become a realistic option? Why not live near 3 Floyds and get off the hook for the looming IL pension disaster?”
The commute to the Loop is much easier from Flossmoor (both by Metra and the Dan Ryan). The housing stock is much better. Much easier access to other suburbs via 294. Plus, Flossmoor Station Brewery is pretty good in its own right! 🙂
Distance-wise, living in Flossmoor is similiar to Glencoe/Highland Park to the north, Arlington Heights to the northwest, and Glen Ellyn or Downers Grove to the west. However, the drive is actually quicker because the Dan Ryan typically moves a bit faster than the Edens, Kennedy, Eisenhower or Stevenson in the mornings and evenings.
Homewrecker said “..I think this one was a former crack house when the owner bought it…” It was previously owned & occupied by a Chicago cop who couldn’t afford to improve it like the current owners.
More humorous is cc’s resident racist assertion “…these neighborhoods… changed literally overnight. That’s what he told me, point blank.” Well if he told you point blank it must be true. Nahhhh you were just making crap up again – many schools were primarily caucasian in late 70’s ( Kennedy, Kelly, Lane, most Catholic HS’s etc). And your main premise is wrong – resegregation steadily crept west along 79th in late 60’s – early 70’s resulting in Bogan demos changing. Hubbard was mixed in early 70’s too although iirc its demo changed when Curie HS opened.
Fwiw Beverly, the subject neighborhood, faced the possibility of resegregation in early 70’s too. But a sufficient % of residents weighed the option of fleeing to the Orland Parks of the world & elected to stay. Numerous home buyers (including/ not limited to city workers) then and now found Beverly’s neighborhood vibe, its schools and its housing stock/ value attractive resulting in a cosmopolitan community unlike where you choose to live. Imo the areas of south side that resegregated in the 70’s were primarily populated by primarily lower middle class/ lower class populations who shared the thought processes of you & chicken little making them easy pickings for hate mongers/ block busters.
Southbound, you cranky idiot, you’re wrong. You don’t know what you’re talking about. He lived in the hood, attended the school, lived through the anti-white racist desegregation effort. Why should anyone listen to you instead?
This person was not some professional liscensed RE person either, or a lawyer, yet he still knew and used the precise term “panic-peddling”. You know Southbound, this term exists for a reason, it takes place. It’s part of the Realtor test, everyone has to know it for a reason….so please STFU, you’re in denial as to what happened:
“Panic peddling is the illegal practice of inducing people in a neighborhood to sell their homes, by making them believe that members of a minority group are likely to buy property in and around their residential area. It is the practice that real estate licensees employ to solicit listings through the illegal use of written or oral statements, or any other behavior that tends to create fear or alarm concerning the presence or imminent presence in the neighborhood of members of a minority.”
“If you’re willing to go as far out as Flossmoor, doesn’t NW Indiana become a realistic option? Why not live near 3 Floyds and get off the hook for the looming IL pension disaster?”
The commute to the Loop is much easier from Flossmoor (both by Metra and the Dan Ryan). The housing stock is much better. Much easier access to other suburbs via 294. Plus, Flossmoor Station Brewery is pretty good in its own right!
Distance-wise, living in Flossmoor is similiar to Glencoe/Highland Park to the north, Arlington Heights to the northwest, and Glen Ellyn or Downers Grove to the west. However, the drive is actually quicker because the Dan Ryan typically moves a bit faster than the Edens, Kennedy, Eisenhower or Stevenson in the mornings and evenings.”
All of this, plus…
MY IN-LAWS ARE IN NWI. No way. Flossmoor is already a bit too close. Plus NWI is boring as hell… I will not live in a development where all the houses are the same and the shopping is done in a strip-mall. NO WAY. Flossmoor is a BEAUTIFUL area, and supposedly full of well-educated/interesting people. Most of IN people I’ve met are… um… not.
but helmethofer, what about the Filipinos? cant forget the Filipino’s!
Look, there was a murder this week in Munster. Dolton and South Holland have been overrun already. Jews are fleeing Homewood/Flossmoor to relocate away from what they call schvartzez. Don’t say you weren’t warned. I’m not a panic-peddler either, because I’m not trying to swindle money from commissions either. Just telling it, the way I see it. Munster is going down, just like H-F … over time.
” there was a murder this week in Munster”
That was a domestic violence thing, involving an ex-husband. Could have just as easily been Flossmoor.
“I’m not a panic-peddler ”
Uh huh.
So helmet, if you are so in tune to whre the jews are going, wouldn’t you buy there knowing thats where the money will be flowing? And since you know this, care to share?
Listen I am not commenting on the post anymore until I hear more about the Filipino’s
“You don’t know what you’re talking about. He lived in the hood, attended the school, lived through the anti-white racist desegregation effort.”
Stupid, bigoted, & ignorant – what a trifecta your parents hit when you arrived. It’s also a summary of Helmuthead’s hate-filled postings here. As usual you post total bs & incorrect drivel instead of defending the falsehoods you posted because he told you point blank so it must be true. What answer did you post for the huge number of other schools that were mostly caucasian in late 70’s? Since you likely lived closest to Kennedy HS do you now believe it was populated by ‘outsiders’ in late 70’s?
Fwiw the homeowners inclined to flee Homewood/ Flossmoor because of potential demo changes left many years ago so the bus you predict will be leaving left long ago and is the garage already. I only fear that someday I might have a narrow minded bigot like you for a neighbor.
“Fwiw the homeowners inclined to flee Homewood/ Flossmoor because of potential demo changes left many years ago so the bus you predict will be leaving left long ago and is the garage already.”
Exactly. This is why New Lenox, Mokena, etc. boomed during the last 15 years. If there are any white-flighters left in Homewod/Flossmoor, then there are plenty of us younger white folks that are happy to buy their homes at a discount.
“Distance-wise, living in Flossmoor is similiar to Glencoe/Highland Park to the north, Arlington Heights to the northwest, and Glen Ellyn or Downers Grove to the west. However, the drive is actually quicker because the Dan Ryan typically moves a bit faster than the Edens, Kennedy, Eisenhower or Stevenson in the mornings and evenings.”
Thanks for confirming that I do NOT want to live in Flossmoor. Niether would I like to live in Glencoe, Arlington Heights, or Glen Ellyn. The suburbs are not all bad….but once you get that far out why Chicago over any other city/suburb in the midwest or even elsewhere in the US? Are further out Chicago suburbs really different than Milwaukee suburbs or Cincinatti or Dallas?
“Thanks for confirming that I do NOT want to live in Flossmoor. Niether would I like to live in Glencoe, Arlington Heights, or Glen Ellyn. The suburbs are not all bad….but once you get that far out why Chicago over any other city/suburb in the midwest or even elsewhere in the US? Are further out Chicago suburbs really different than Milwaukee suburbs or Cincinatti or Dallas?”
Different strokes. Could have family nearby. Schools. One spouse might work in the suburbs. Might not be able to afford a decent home in a closer-in suburb or city neighborhood. Plus, the Metra ride is not that much longer than the El from some northwest/north side neighborhoods. Ravenswood Manor/Lincoln Square can push 40 minutes. Same with Edgewater and points north. 40-45 minutes on the Metra is not that bad. It’s quiet and you can get some work done.
“As usual you post total bs & incorrect drivel instead of defending the falsehoods ”
blah, blah, blah….I told you what this person told me, who lived through it, right there in the HS and neighborhood. You can choose to deny it, if you’re that taken with the anti-white racists’ narrative and viewpoint. The FACTS are that today, those neighborhoods and high schools 100% completely, totally, and inarguably vindicate his perspective. Why am I even arguing with an idiot and a denier?
“Fwiw the homeowners inclined to flee Homewood/ Flossmoor because of potential demo changes left many years ago so the bus you predict will be leaving left long ago and is the garage already.”
This sounds like just another repeat of the past. The Jews flee instinctively and intolerantly early on. Then you have some well-meaning old-timer white ethnics that stay, proud of their roots in the hood, etc. maybe you even have some baby-boomer “liberal” whites that cling to a Norman Lear idiotic TV-script narrative about how diversity should work. But in the end, the whites all end up moving just like the jews did early on. That’s the history of the southside.
I think the last to go in these predictable scenarios are the Italians, who truly stick it out with the diversity the longest. That’s why you still see some of them in Roseland/Pullman still to this day, despite all the carnage around them. Somehow Jews have concocted this narrative where they love and tolerate diversity, yet they are the least likely to live near it. I wonder if Norman Lear lives around diversity, LOL.
“Thanks for confirming that I do NOT want to live in Flossmoor. Niether would I like to live in Glencoe, Arlington Heights, or Glen Ellyn. The suburbs are not all bad….but once you get that far out why Chicago over any other city/suburb in the midwest or even elsewhere in the US? Are further out Chicago suburbs really different than Milwaukee suburbs or Cincinatti or Dallas?””
I have said before on this site that all suburbs are basically the same all over the United States of America. You shop at the same stores, eat at the same restaurants. It’s all the same. I’ve lived in several major metropolitan areas. All the same. Same Barnes & Noble (was Borders before.) Same Starbucks. Same Chipotle. Same PotBellys (soon to be if it keeps expanding.) Same Gap. Same Loft.
It was no different living in Palo Alto (for me) than living in Glen Ellyn. You get in your car and you drive to your two or three story office park. You work for 9 or 10 hours. You drive home. You go to the Whole Foods to shop. You go to the movies on the weekend. It is the same. Sure- I looked at the mountains in Palo Alto. But you get used to it and bored with it just the same. I was working so much it didn’t really matter if the ocean was on the other side of it (the same way it doesn’t really matter if Lake Michigan is there either if you live in Glen Ellyn. How many people living in Lombard ever see the Lake in person?) It was a half an hour drive to see the ocean on a good day with no traffic.
You choose to live in a certain city because of jobs. If your dream job is in Chicago- you move here. It’s as simple as that.
“The commute to the Loop is much easier from Flossmoor (both by Metra and the Dan Ryan). The housing stock is much better. Much easier access to other suburbs via 294. Plus, Flossmoor Station Brewery is pretty good in its own right!”
So much ignorance about the south suburbs.
Flossmoor has some of the most beautiful housing stock in the Chicago area. It was built as the same time as the North Shore neighborhoods. There are lovely 1920s Tudors, Spanish/Mediterranean homes, Colonials, Victorians. I could go on and on. They just don’t build them like that today.
Problem is, the baby boomers are retiring and don’t want those big houses. Upkeep and maintenance is expensive. Lots of deals in Flossmoor right now. I love it. I should do a bunch of posts on it in the spring since so many here have no idea what’s available.
“Are further out Chicago suburbs really different than Milwaukee suburbs or Cincinatti or Dallas?”
Weather!
“I have said before on this site that all suburbs are basically the same all over the United States of America. You shop at the same stores, eat at the same restaurants. It’s all the same.”
“Flossmoor has some of the most beautiful housing stock in the Chicago area. It was built as the same time as the North Shore neighborhoods. There are lovely 1920s Tudors, Spanish/Mediterranean homes, Colonials, Victorians. I could go on and on. They just don’t build them like that today.”
???
“I was working so much it didn’t really matter if the ocean was on the other side of it (the same way it doesn’t really matter if Lake Michigan is there either if you live in Glen Ellyn. How many people living in Lombard ever see the Lake in person?) It was a half an hour drive to see the ocean on a good day with no traffic.”
There is something to be said for the nonny pov.
how much is annony enjoying the lake today? damn it’s cold! I almost wished I lived in a suburb of Miami or Scottsdale!
“how much is annony enjoying the lake today? damn it’s cold! I almost wished I lived in a suburb of Miami or Scottsdale!”
FYI: A balaclava is not a filo pastry; it makes a lot of things possible on frigid days. The biggest issue with the coldest months is slipping on ice in some spots. That said, I didn’t mind running in 70-80 degree weather all last week. But, as with every time I’ve returned from somewhere that makes us wonder “why exactly are we living here and not [insert spectacular coastal or mountain region]?”, it’s the lakefront – even in the winter – that makes puts me at ease.
That’s funny, because I too lived on the lake for 5 years and everytime I saw that big chunk of ice with freezing cold winds blasting on my face as I waited on the el platform I thought – why do I live here again?
“???”
DZ- I was talking about how you LIVE there- not the housing stock. The housing stock is NOT all the same. Ever been to Silicon Valley? The housing sucks there. There are pockets of the older homes (downtown Palo Alto) but much of it was built since 1970 and it’s not pretty.
But what you DO there is all the same. Your day to day life (restaurants, bookstores, movie theaters, shopping) is the same in Palo Alto as it is in Hinsdale. In fact, if you go to the Stanford Shopping Center and then go to the Oakbrook Center, you wouldn’t really know you were in two different places thousands of miles away.
“how much is annony enjoying the lake today? damn it’s cold! I almost wished I lived in a suburb of Miami or Scottsdale!”
Wth you are a huge pansy. dig your g-string out your crack and man up.
Dude with the sun out today it would be a beautiful day to take a hot tea and a stroll along the lakefront right before work. Nothing better than a cold day and a brisk peaceful walk along the lake to start the day.
no if overstretching to afford the house in parkridge that your wife MADE you buy has left you cash short to purchase the *correct cold weather attire, let me know this week I can hook you up with some of the stuff i am about to send over to the salvation army.
“why exactly are we living here and not [insert spectacular coastal or mountain region]?”
I’m curious about this. Why here as opposed to any number of other cities where I assume you could do your biglaw thing? I understand your love of lake, but still it seems odd as it is not clear there is much else about the city that you like.
“Silicon Valley? The housing sucks there. … much of it was built since 1970”
Most of it was 50s-60s, or mid-90s to now. Not a heckuva lot of 70s-era. As an exmaple–Sunnyvale had a population under 10k in 1950, 53k in 1960, 96k in 1970 and 106k in 1980–most of the houses there had to have been built before 1970. San Mateo County’s pop was 235k in 1950, 444k in 1960, 556k in 1970 and only grew to 587k by 1980. Palo Alto doubled from 1950 to 1960, to 52k, then was about 55k in 1970, 1980, AND 1990, finally growing a bit in the 90s (58k in 2000), and really adding pop after 2000 to hit 64k in 2010.
Almost *nothing* was built in the 70s. You’re thrown off by the fact that much of the tract housing in the midwest built in the 70s was in the style of 50s and 60s California tract homes–not at all surprising, really, but disappointing that the lag didn’t allow a more thorough re-thinking of what to keep and what to change about the style.
also:
“if you go to the Stanford Shopping Center and then go to the Oakbrook Center, you wouldn’t really know you were in two different places thousands of miles away”
Only if you go when there are (i) no other shoppers and (ii) no one working in the shops. The demographics are radically different.
“no if overstretching to afford the house in parkridge that your wife MADE you buy has left you cash short to purchase the *correct cold weather attire, let me know this week I can hook you up with some of the stuff i am about to send over to the salvation army.”
That is key. As long as you dress warmly, you can walk for hours.
My bf put some hand and foot warmers in my stocking too and those things are amazing.
I have to say I was a little disappointed when I was in ‘Cago over Christmas break cuz at times out in the neighborhoods I was the only person on the street.
I was hurtin’ for street life and lonely for da peeps!
Michigan Avenue doesn’t count cuz that’s all tourists.
“Lots of deals in Flossmoor right now. I love it. I should do a bunch of posts on it in the spring since so many here have no idea what’s available.”
Love this idea. I agree that many people unfamiliar with the area have no idea how nice Flossmoor is and how many unbelievable deals there are. Prices less than $100 sq. ft. The town is practically surrounded by golf courses and most streets are canopied by mature trees. The test scores at Western Avenue Elementary are comparable to grade schools in other affluent suburbs. Plus, with Flossmoor Station Brewery right off the Metra stop, it’s easy to stop down there from the city, grab a beer and some lunch and take a stroll through the neighborhoods. Flossmoor Estates, Old Flossmoor and Flossmoor Park are the nicest neighborhoods and are all within walking distance of the Metra.
“I’m curious about this. Why here as opposed to any number of other cities where I assume you could do your biglaw thing? I understand your love of lake, but still it seems odd as it is not clear there is much else about the city that you like.”
I considered both NY and Chicago, but between the housing costs and having some family here, Chicago was a fairly easy winner (I also find Chicago to be more livable from an outdoors perspective, and it’s easier to travel out west from here than NY). I should stress that it’s not just the lake (including the park system, lakefront trail, beaches, views, etc.) that I value, but also lots of other great stuff that just happens to be located on or within a mile or so of the lakefront, from the Museum of Science and Industry to Gillson Beach.
“That’s funny, because I too lived on the lake for 5 years and everytime I saw that big chunk of ice with freezing cold winds blasting on my face as I waited on the el platform I thought – why do I live here again?”
Where did you live for 5 years that’s both on the lake and conveniently serviced by the el?
“Where did you live for 5 years that’s both on the lake and conveniently serviced by the el?”
he did undergrad at loyola didnt he? so rodgers park/uptown is where he probably lived
“I have said before on this site that all suburbs are basically the same all over the United States of America. You shop at the same stores, eat at the same restaurants. It’s all the same. I’ve lived in several major metropolitan areas. All the same. Same Barnes & Noble (was Borders before.) Same Starbucks. Same Chipotle. Same PotBellys (soon to be if it keeps expanding.) Same Gap. Same Loft.”
I wouldn’t call the rest of America’s suburbia the same as the “Matteson Town Center” area. But the rest of the US is catching up fast. Such an elegant area and experience! Kinda like being in Oak Park and having to shop along North Ave. in Maywood.
Indiana dunes are a great place in winter. Lots of XC ski trails and nobody around. Also good snow-shoeing. Quick drive from Flossmoor. Also handy from Loop and points south on South Shore Line.
also for the south suburbs the weekend getaway is not wisconsin its new buffalow
i dont think beverly shores is the option is it?
“also for the south suburbs the weekend getaway is not wisconsin its new buffalow
i dont think beverly shores is the option is it?”
New Buffalo, South Haven and Saugatuck are all popular destinations and are easy drives from the south suburbs (and Beverly).
I love going to Beverly Shores from the city. They have an awesome beach that you’d never imagine is less than an hour from home. New Buffalo, South Haven and Saugatuck are all a decent drive if you live in the city but probably aren’t bad from Flossmoor.
“I agree that many people unfamiliar with the area have no idea how nice Flossmoor is ”
Plus, there’s good advice built right into the name. Everyone should floss more.
Now I know why I haven’t visited Crib Chatter in a year or so. What an amazing example of ignorant opinions!
This house is cater-corner from a Starbucks and one and a half blocks from a Metra stop. Beverly is a great place to raise a family.
I spent a year and half rehabbing this home for the current seller/s back when they bought the place in ’87. It was not crack house. It was very nicely rehabbed and I’m sure they’ve taken great care of it since.
Dan Cullen said “…What an amazing example of ignorant opinions!… Beverly is a great place to raise a family….I spent a year and half rehabbing this home for the current seller/s back when they bought the place in ’87. It was not crack house. It was very nicely rehabbed and I’m sure they’ve taken great care of it since.”
Welcome back! It is always good when someone posts supportable statements here as opposed to the meaningless self aggrandizing drivel full of sound and fury signifying nothing frequently posted by cc’s resident hate-filled cretin. Fwiw my posts on this and other Beverly homes also state my belief Beverly is a great place to raise world wise well adjusted kids. On the factual side I also posted it was never a ‘crack house’ but was owned by then Chicago cop(s) Rowan & ? before foreclosure & current owners involvement.
Thanks SB…….Rowan’s roommate was Fredericks. They were certainly avant-garde for their time and raised eyebrows in the ‘hood. Fortunately they both had deep family roots in the area and so their eccentricities were never, in my experience, the subject of any animosity. The home was also owned by a famous major league umpire whose name escapes me at the moment. The author of “When Corruption was King” (you can guess which city he was writing about!) lived on the same block. Rowan became chief of police in Cicero for a while and I’m not sure what he is doing now. Frederick passed away sometime in the 90’s I believe. The Horton house is very well built. It has ship-lap board sheathing on both the exterior and interior sides of the outside walls. We dense-packed cellulose insulation into the exterior wall cavities and re-framed the entire 3rd floor ballroom. The sellers were great folks to work for and I wish them the best.
[Groove77] “also for the south suburbs the weekend getaway is not wisconsin its new buffalow”
Correct. In the 50s/60s many prominent Beverly families would use New Buffalo as a weekend getaway and treat South Shore country club as a summer camp for their children and wives. As white flight forever changed the South Shore neighborhood everyone focused almost exclusively on the SW Coast of Michigan. Its a great escape from the South Suburbs/Far South Chicago, an easy two hour drive, with affordable housing and decent slip pricing.
SW MI is a great area. Northsiders go there as well. Takes us two hours without traffic.
[Dan Cullen] “This house is cater-corner from a Starbucks and one and a half blocks from a Metra stop. Beverly is a great place to raise a family.”
It really is. There are a few great schooling options, beautiful housing stock, very safe, nice little commercial district and a piece of cake to get downtown either by Metra or car. It certainly doesn’t feel like city living, but it is miles away from suburban living at the same time.
[Vlajos] “SW MI is a great area. Northsiders go there as well. Takes us two hours without traffic.”
Yeah, brain fart on my part. Last time I went this summer I left from a friend’s home in the far NW side and it took two hours. From Beverly, Flossmoor, Palos, etc its about an hour, hour-fifteen.
“What an amazing example of ignorant opinions!”
Mr. Cullen, maybe you need a brain rehab. Nobody said anything ignorant about Beverly or this house on the entire thread, other than one post:
“Southbound (January 3, 2013, 1:30 pm)
Homewrecker said “..I think this one was a former crack house when the owner bought it…””
hey helmethofer…you are the exact type of nimrod that makes this site a joke. enjoy your snarky future you dipcrap. LOL indeed. What grade are you in?
Sabrina is correct about the chains. Most is the same everywhere you go. Unfortunately, really. Demographics are quite different though even though everyone is buying the same crap.
I normally don’t read Curbed Chicago but today I looked at it and found that they have a whole post devoted to those poor souls who have to live in a “peripheral” neighborhood. Poor Beverly is one of them. Why Beverly but not Sauganash?
“But what about places like Beverly, Chatham, Morgan Park, Grand Boulevard, or Belmont Cragin? There are mountains of fine homes in those areas for less than $200K, and a fair number under $100K. It’s this bottom rung of real estate that brings us to today’s feature: 10 cheap and serviceable finds from the peripheral neighborhoods.”
http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2013/01/08/10-cheap-finds-from-the-peripheral-neighborhoods.php
“SW MI is a great area. Northsiders go there as well. Takes us two hours without traffic.”
I’m with Vlajos. I can make it to South Haven from the north side on a Saturday morning in the summer in about 2 hours and 10 minutes (via the skyway.) I love it! The Harbor towns are a great place to spend the summer.
Dear Helmethofer…
a) i never said that mr. rowan was a client of mine. indeed, he never was.
b) if you find a neighborhood in this city or anywhere else on the planet where there are no individuals who have been on a witness stand please let me know where it is.
c) you are purposely stupid and it fits you perfectly
Dan Cullen: Iirc Rowan most recently was found employed as Ald Burke’s chief investigator.
From earlier post: “More humorous is cc’s resident racist assertion “…these neighborhoods… changed literally overnight. That’s what he told me, point blank.” Well if he told you point blank it must be true. Nahhhh you were just making crap up again – many schools were primarily caucasian in late 70?s ( Kennedy, Kelly, Lane, most Catholic HS’s etc). And your main premise is wrong – resegregation steadily crept west along 79th in late 60?s – early 70?s resulting in Bogan demos changing….
Fwiw Beverly, the subject neighborhood, faced the possibility of resegregation in early 70?s too. But a sufficient % of residents weighed the option of fleeing to the Orland Parks of the world & elected to stay. Numerous home buyers (including/ not limited to city workers) then and now found Beverly’s neighborhood vibe, its schools and its housing stock/ value attractive resulting in a cosmopolitan community unlike where you choose to live. Imo the areas of south side that resegregated in the 70?s were primarily populated by primarily lower middle class/ lower class populations who shared the thought processes of you & chicken little making them easy pickings for hate mongers/ block busters.”