Thinking about moving to the Chicago metro? Chicagoland has many amazing suburbs that offer affordable housing, lively downtown areas, family-friendly amenities, and more. Consider settling down in one of these five best Chicago suburbs!
| Suburb | Buffalo Grove | Evanston | Glenview | Naperville | Oak Park |
| Safer than % of Illinois Cities | 84% | 29% | 47% | 77% | 12% |
| Median Home Price |
$338,400
|
$409,900
|
$498,000
|
$424,800
|
$403,200
|
| Median Rent Price |
$1,700
|
$1,433
|
$1,810
|
$1,546
|
$1,213
|
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 3.1% | 1.9% | 2.9% | 3.5% |
Buffalo Grove
Buffalo Grove is a great suburb for those looking for a quieter place to live near Chicago. Located within an hour of the city center, Buffalo Grove is not only one of the most affordable Chicago suburbs, but also home to well-ranked school districts with top schools like Meridian School and Buffalo Grove High School. Residents can find a wide variety of housing options, too—like newly built villas, updated Colonials, and Craftsman-style houses. Plus, this Chicago suburb has incredible parks and recreation nearby with Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve and Potawatomi Woods, as well as some good spots for family-friendly fun—including the annual Buffalo Grove Days festival!
Things to Do in Buffalo Grove
Go swimming in the Willow Stream Pool, play a game of disc golf, take part in a tennis match, or try sand volleyball at Willow Stream Park. Cool off in the summer with over 20 water toys, sprays, and fountains at Spray ‘N Play. Schedule a tee time, practice your skills at the driving range, or buy a new putter in the Pro Shop at Buffalo Grove Golf Course. Learn about Buffalo Grove’s history through two permanent gallery spaces, admire an 1890s farmhouse, and milk a replica dairy cow at the Raupp Museum. Stop in for Thai food in Buffalo Grove—with dishes like Tom Yum Soup, the Thai Basil Dish, or Rama Chicken—at Siam Siam. Try specialty sushi rolls like the World Series, 007 Roll, and Godzilla at Sushi Grove. Start with the Fried Calamari and follow with Tony’s Special or Sal’s Special at Sal & Tony’s Italian Restaurant. Or pick up delicious sweet treats like Petit Fours, Cream Puffs, and Mini Eclairs from Deerfields Bakery.
Evanston
If you want to live in a northern Chicago suburb with a college town feel and stunning views of Lake Michigan, check out Evanston! With Northwestern University in the area, as well as top-rated public schools like Lincolnwood Elementary School and Evanston Township High School, Evanston is a hot spot for education. For the college crowd, there are vibrant venues like Evanston SPACE, as well as fun bars and breweries to check out—including Sketchbook Brewing Co. Meanwhile, residents of all ages can stay busy year-round with fun community events like the Evanston Folk Festival, Evanston Rides!, and the Downtown Evanston Farmers’ Market. This Chicago suburb also offers affordable bungalows, renovated Victorians, and newly constructed homes, along with great bikeability and convenient public transit options via Metra Rail and CTA Purple Line.
Things to Do in Evanston
Pick up your complimentary resident season pass to swim, rent kayaks, or simply relax and take in views of Lake Michigan at Dempster-Greenwood Street Beach. Get some bird watching in and admire the wildflowers as you walk the small forest preserve in Perkins Woods. See collections like Global Modern & Contemporary Art, Computer-Generated Art, Photography, and more at The Block Museum of Art. Shop for children’s books in 48 languages or find your new favorite novel at Bookends & Beginnings. Start your morning with the Cajun Scramble, Chilaquiles, or Fried Green Tomato Benedict at The Lucky Platter & Pantry. Pick up some Baby Back Ribs, The Mutt, or a Sliced Brisket Sandwich at Hecky’s Barbecue—which earned a shoutout in one of Anthony Bourdain’s books! Enjoy vegetarian cuisine from around the world like Spinach Lasagna, Thai Peanut Noodles, and Mongolian Stir-Fry at Blind Faith Cafe. Or try the Double Clutch Burger, Smoked Turkey BLT, or a Pulled Pork Sammy at Double Clutch Brewing Company.
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Glenview
Located 30 minutes northwest of Downtown Chicago, the Glenview suburb is a quaint area rooted in nature. The community supports the local ecosystem with a successful tree planting incentive program and a Heritage Tree Program registry of over 70 protected trees—earning Glenview the Tree City USA award every year for several decades! You’ll find beautiful green spaces and outdoor recreation opportunities here, including the Techny Basin Conservation Area, Gallery Park‘s sports courts and boating access, golf courses like Glenview Park Golf Club and Glenview Prairie Club, and more. The area is also home to other fun things to do near Chicago, like the Glenview Farmers Market, Funtopia Glenview, and commercial areas like The Glen Town Center. Add in great schools like Winkelman Elementary School and Glenbrook South High School, and it’s easy to see why Glenview is one of the best Chicago suburbs for families. Plus, if you’d like to go to Chicago for the day, you’ll have easy access from the Glenview Metra station!
Things to Do in Glenview
Tour the Kennicott House and other historic buildings, attend fun seasonal events like Hayrides at The Grove, or walk the grounds of the prairie preserve at The Grove. Experience early 20th-century farming practices with a walk-in silo, 1920s farmhouse, 1930s grocery store, and other areas to explore at Historic Wagner Farm. Take the kids out for a day of play in exhibits like Build It, City on the Move, and Adventures in Art at Kohl Children’s Museum. Buy tickets to live musicals like The Last 5 Years, plays like It’s a Wonderful Life, and other cabarets or feature shows at Oil Lamp Theater. Head to a popular Glenview pizza restaurant for a slice of the Windy City, Venetian, or Roasted Veggie at Viccino’s Pizza Company. Try classic ramen dishes like Miso Ramen, Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen, or Nomu Tan-men at Nomu Ramen. Order entrees like Dol Sot Bi Bim Bap, Heavenly Curry, or the Noble Burger at Glenview vegan restaurant, Alice & Friends at the Glen. Or enjoy date night with shareable small plates like House-Made Labneh, Octopus Carpaccio, and Sweet Potato Latkes at Ema Glenview.
Naperville
As one of the largest and safest Chicago suburbs, Naperville is a lively town that truly has something for everyone! For those looking for job opportunities, Naperville is home to major employers like Nokia, Endeavor Health Edward Hospital, Nalco Water, and more. You can also get out on the town in Downtown Naperville—an exciting area along the DuPage River—where you can find trendy bistros, local shops, and attend community events like the Halloween Hop and Cookie & Sweets Walk. Avid readers will love living in Naperville thanks to the Naperville Public Library—previously named one of the best in the U.S.—as well as the historic Old Nichols Library, the city’s first library, now home to a thriving Italian restaurant. This Windy City suburb is filled with historic homes in Colonial Revival, Victorian, and Craftsman styles—renovated to offer the perfect combination of old and new!
Things to Do in Naperville
Visit the Dandelion Fountain, go paddle boating, or look at the artwork throughout the Century Walk while you stroll along the Naperville Riverwalk. Cool off in the summer heat, attend an Adult Float, or sign the kids up for swim lessons in the former quarry-turned-swimming pool at Centennial Beach. Explore hands-on exhibits like AWEsome Energy, Make It Move, and The Studio at DuPage Children’s Museum. Watch the Naperville Municipal Band and other local performing arts groups at Naperville Community Concert Center. Get your morning caffeine in with a Comp Cappuccino, Iced Mocha, or Nitro Draft at Sparrow Coffee. Try creative grilled cheese creations like the Tuna Turner, Sloppy Mack, and The Socra-Cheez from Everdine’s Grilled Cheese Co. Have a taste of Spain with traditional tapas like Queso con Pacanas, Col de Brusela, and Valenciana Paella at Meson Sabika. Or order Italian options like Margherita Pizza, Vodka Pasta, and Cannolis at Calogero’s Old World Italian Pizza.
Oak Park
The birthplace of renowned author Ernest Hemingway, Oak Park is one of the best places to live near Chicago for those who want to be close to but not directly in the city. Sitting just 20 minutes west of Downtown Chicago, this historic and multicultural suburb gives residents the perfect mix of big-city feel and small-town life. Many of Oak Park’s homes are heavily inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s prairie-style design, but you can also find homes with Queen Anne and Colonial influences. Residents can celebrate this Chicago suburb’s unique personality at the A Day in Our Village event, experience fun Pride Month celebrations, and participate in cultural gatherings like Holi and Juneteenth. On top of that, Oak Park has great walkability and access to the CTA Green Line, so it’s easy to get around and commute into the city!
Things to Do in Oak Park
Attend events like What’s Blooming on Harrison and Harvest on Harrison in the Oak Park Arts District. Play tennis, practice your frisbee skills, or attend a summer concert at Scoville Park. See various flora and fauna in the tropical and Mediterranean gardens, check out the Plant Markets, or attend children’s programs at Oak Park Conservatory. Watch local productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and other classics, or get your teen signed up for an aspiring performers program at Oak Park Festival Theatre. Grab a coffee with an Onion Breakfast Roll, Eggs with Corned Beef Hash, or a homemade Everything Bagel for a morning meal at The Onion Roll—an authentic Jewish deli that’s been a staple in Oak Park since 1954. Grab a Bento Box, SEN Maki, or Wasabi Salmon from SEN Sushi Bar. Chow down on Mediterranean bites like Seafood Linguini, Steak Frites, and Grilled Verlasso Salmon at Citrine Cafe. Or try beers like the Prohibition Pilsner, Chicago Common, and Baltic Porter at Kinslahger Brewing Company.
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The Extra Space Storage team is committed to helping people find the perfect place to call home, no matter what stage of life they’re at. Our “Best Places to Live” picks are designed to make moving easier by providing accurate and comprehensive information on various metro areas across the country. We consider factors like cost of living, job opportunities, local attractions, education, and more to help those looking to move make an informed decision. Discover more about our methodology today.
Suburb statistics from AreaVibes
