Guys, Some of you probably saw my previous thread a while ago, but if not I'm in process of potentially relocating to the Chicago area for work to start a new branch office. As part of this, I need to submit a budget and plan for an office location as well as figure out what I need personally to relocate my wife and I. As of now I'm planning for the office to be somewhere between Huntley and Hoffman Estates. It needs to be centrally located to the major populations in my territory (Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Detroit, Indianapolis, Kansas City, etc) and also close to an airport (O'Hare). West of the city also seems a lot more affordable than Cook County for office space plus you don't have to pay for parking, etc. As part of the business plan, I need to also figure out housing costs. This is where I need your help. Specifically, I'm looking for towns you can recommend where I can find something 3-4 bedrooms, 1300-2000 sqft, and a bit rural if at all possible. I'd be happy to drive up to 45 minutes from say Elgin to not have to deal with home owner associations, etc. I don't need to be in the sticks and realize that's not realistic, but I'm hoping to find something where I can have a fire in the back yard, not worry about having my boat parked in the driveway, and shoot my bow in the yard. Somewhat suburbia is OK, but the more rural the better. I don't want to be in a development with an association, etc. If I can find a place with some wood lots close......all the better. What specific towns should I consider? As of now, I'm looking online at homes in the Garden Prarie, Coral, Huntley, Genoa, and Hampshire areas. With that said, I've only ever been in Garden Prarie for the GTG several years ago. Do these areas fit the description I've outlined above?
You might be able to find something good in the Huntley and Hampshire area and you are minutes from the tollway. Not sure I would go any further west unless it was Marengo. The problem you will have is getting on hunting property, I always take people to my spot but it is overrun with neighboring people hunting it and I am looking at finally doing a lease so I can get on something decent. As far as the work location I would stay out of Crook Co if you can. You might want to reach out to Graf on where the best locations are for industrial, I know the Huntley area is about 40-45 minutes from O'hare when traffic is mild. There is also a decent bow club just West of Hampshire if you can't shoot in the yard
That sounds like the area you want to be in. Shoot a PM to Raywanking I mean Racewayking. He lives in Hampshire and would be a great one to ask about this. I am about 40 minutes NW of Huntley in Buffalo Grove which is totally different then that area. Now since you mentioned not minding a 45 minute drive I know your love of fishing you might want to consider looking in the Volo and Fox Lake areas for a house. It has the Chain O' Lakes which has some great fishing and is about 45 minutes North of Hoffman Estates. Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2
When would you be looking to make the move? Know of a house that is probably right up your alley in the woods next to a semi private pond that will be up for sale late next spring. Its in Volo. Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2
Thanks for the thoughts guys. If I end up out there, I'll def be doing a lease somewhere........but it would be nice to be in a rural area where I might be able to find a spot close to home where I can whack some nanny's and do some week day hunts.
I had a house in unicorporated Kane County. Upside... unicorporated. On a quarter acre. So many deer you'll hate them (really). Was a brick ranch. 4 bedrooms, hardwood floors... 3.5 car garage. Downside, it was surround by Carpentersville. I tried to sell it. The housing crash led to more than 700 foreclosures in C'ville when I put it on the market. (damn democrats! ) Not a single offer... and eventually it was worth less than what was owed. So... I would have happily sold it or rented it to you. (owed 100K on it) But.... I ended up giving it back to the bank last year. Good luck with your search. I can't believe anybody is willing to move to this state, much less the hell-hole of Chicagoland.
I would try to stick in McHenry County. Try looking North of Huntley as well - Woodstock, McHenry, Crystal Lake, etc. All fairly decent drives if you had to go to the Elgin/Hoffman areas. Plus if you are a resident in McHenry Co you can apply for some of the MCCD public hunting spots and possibly get one of those nanny whacking areas you're looking for. IMO I would avoid Lake County (ridiculous property taxes) and of course stay out of Crook County as well.
It actually amazes me the amount of decent real estate out there for a reasonable price. I actually think if I can stick to McHenry, Kane, or DeKalb counties......it will likely be cheaper to live out there than where I'm located in NY. While I know sales tax is a bit higher, real estate taxes are about the same or slightly lower. NY is just as bad as IL. The only thing I don't like is that in NY I can go through a 2+ year process to eventually get a unrestricted pistol permit, and I know that's not an option in IL. Anyhow, thanks for all the input guys. This is still a ways off, likely a Q3 thing for next year at the soonest......but need to do the business planning behind it now.
