Relocating to Illinois for Work: A Commuter's Guide to the Western Suburbs

I get this call almost every week now

Start with the commute, not the house

• BNSF line: runs through Downers Grove and out to Naperville. The Downers Grove express is roughly 35 minutes to Chicago Union Station, one of the best one seat rides in the region. Naperville is also on the BNSF, further out, so it runs a little longer.
• Union Pacific West line: runs through Wheaton into Ogilvie Transportation Center. If your office is near Ogilvie on the west side of the Loop, this is your line. The Wheaton ride generally runs longer than a Downers Grove express.

If your office is downtown, buy near the train first and worry about the backyard second. The commute is the part you cannot renovate.

Match the town to the life you want

• [Downers Grove](/neighborhoods/downers-grove): my number one market, with a walkable downtown, the Tivoli Theatre, a weekly farmers market, and that fast BNSF express.
• Naperville: a large, lively downtown and the Riverwalk along the DuPage River. Bigger and busier, further out on the BNSF.
• Wheaton: a traditional downtown and Wheaton College, served by the Union Pacific West line.
• [Lombard](/neighborhoods/lombard): the "Lilac Village," home to Yorktown Center, a practical and central pick.
• Lisle, Westmont, Darien, and Clarendon Hills: Lisle sits by the Morton Arboretum, Westmont offers strong value, and Clarendon Hills keeps tight inventory.

What homes actually cost out here

• Illinois property taxes tend to run higher than in many states, so compare the full monthly payment to your last city, not just the list price.
• Within one town, prices swing hard by neighborhood, age of home, and how close you are to the train. Walkable, train adjacent blocks command a premium.
• If you are coming from a lower cost state, give yourself time to recalibrate on price.

Schools, if you have kids in the move

• Downers Grove: District 58 for elementary and middle, District 99 for the high schools, Downers Grove North and South.
• Naperville: District 203 and District 204.
• Wheaton: District 200. Lisle: District 202. Glen Ellyn: Districts 41 and 87.

A simple plan for relocating buyers

1. Lock the commute. Confirm where you report and whether you train or drive. That alone eliminates half the map.
2. Get pre approved early. A local lender helps you understand the payment with Illinois taxes baked in. If you are a first time buyer, ask about IHDA down payment assistance and lower down payment FHA, conventional, and VA options, and confirm live details with the lender.
3. Tour two or three towns, not nine. I would rather show you the right handful in depth than drag you through everything.
4. Move fast. Good homes near the train do not sit, so we line up financing first.

FAQ: relocating to Illinois for work

Which western suburb has the best commute into Chicago?

How much should I budget to buy in the western suburbs?

I am a first time buyer relocating for a job. What help is out there?

Can you help if I have only visited the area once?

Ready to start your move?