Question

Hey guys, new to the group! I'm a Chicago native but north burbs. We are moving to Naperville in June and I know nothing about the area. We went driving around yesterday and I've briefly asked a few people but if anyone wouldn't mind sharing a brief (if there is one) breakdown of the area. We have x2 little boys. One will be heading to kindergarten next year and the other is still 2 now. Here's what we know: in driving around it seems (according to my husband) that one area runs on well water. My husband says no way to that. Thoughts? It looks like all schools are excellent. Thoughts? I've read something about gated or sub division communities. Could someone explain? And lastly is downtown always that busy I felt like I was actually downtown trying to find parking. The downtown is amazing and a huge turn on but parking not so much. Thanks

Answer 1

Girl you’re moving to my neck of the woods?!?  

Answer 2

If either one of you will be commuting to the city, North Naperville will be the area you want to focus on!  

Comments

@salford85 - Id still suggest staying in North Naperville then, close to either 88 or 355.  

---

@salford85 north Naperville for sure. If you are in south Naperville, your husband could have 30-40 min extra each way in his commute.  

---

@salford85 I honestly would suggest moving closer to Arlington Heights. that commute from 88 up 290 is a beast!  

---

@christoper You are right. Why would you move to Naperville instead of Arlington Heights? This is too far out. Not worth it. I-88 to 290/355 north is not a fun commute. People chose to live here because the industry they work in like finance, tech is easily reached by Metra Express train into Union Station. This is not an easy commute by car suburb into Chicago or another suburb by choice. Highways can be parking lots at 7:30 am.  

Answer 3

You should look at Brookdale. Seriously the best neighborhood ever!  

Comments

It is. It is in North Naperville. It has some of the best schools in town as well. My son is a kindergartener at Brookdale elementary this year. I think one of the things that would help to make recommendations is if we knew more of what was important to you beyond what you mentioned in your post. There are so many facets to Naperville, and it’s just about finding the sweet spot of what you are looking for.  

---

@salford85 It feeds into Metea Valley High School. It is far west in Aurora. Chart the distance between prospective houses and their high schools. You do not want to drive more than 2-3 miles from the high school or you will drive yourself crazy shuttling people 2x a day with activities. NCHS and NNHS are centralized. that is partially why people pay very steep prices for housing in District 203. Location.  

Answer 4

Just pm’d you.  

Answer 5

Downtown is always busy but the parking garages help!  

Comments

Yes! Downtown is super busy but once you figure out where the parking garages are it’s not bad.  

---

@misha552 love the one over by the Walgreens and riverwalk! Always snag a spot there!  

Answer 6

I almost never have trouble parking in downtown Naperville and I just adore that it is free. Just grab a map from one of the stores and make sure you learn about all the different parking areas. Route 59 doesn’t bother me either and I live very close to it on the southwest side. I believe it is unincorporated Naperville that uses well water. From what I’ve been told, it’s areas that look a little bit more natural and less subdivisiony, with no sidewalks. Much of the are around Springbrook Prairie seems to be that way. I’ve been here for 7 1/2 years now and this has been the best decision we’ve ever made. I hope you love it if you join us!  

Comments

There is some of Naperville that is unincorporated that still has regular water. My sister used to be that unincorporated. West off Naper (just south of maple/Chicago) is an unincorporated neighborhood. Looks just like “normal” Naperville, sidewalks and all lol

---

Good to know!  

---

@sukin I live in unincorporated Naperville and I have sidewalks and Lake Michigan water

---

So good to know! The first person who explained this to me didn’t clarify that her situation wasn’t they only type in unincorporated Naperville. Thank you!  

Answer 7

We live close to downtown (Prairie Elementary). We didn’t really have a specific area or school in mind, but now I’m really glad we wound up close to downtown.  

Comments

@illogic I love that house!  

---

@stoner84423 was our realtor if you’re looking for one!  

Answer 8

We live close to downtown and my kids attend Highlands elementary. Great school and we love the location. Yesterday was extra busy because Jessica Simpson was doing a book signing.  

Answer 9

We moved to Naperville and only lasted 1 year. We are a swimming family and came to find out that Naperville doesn’t have community swimming pools. (Indoor or outdoor). They have very small “neighborhood pools” if you belong in that specific neighborhood. They also have centennial beach but with the sand, dirt and no filter system we opted to stay away after one visit. Just our two cents, other than that if you live close enough to downtown and your family enjoys bike riding, that’s how we enjoyed it.  

Comments

@salford85 we moved from a community that through the village park district you could go to any 5 of the towns outdoor pools and with a season pass you were welcome to use the indoor pool. It was just not what we were expecting moving into such a large town like Naperville.  

---

@polyhistor the lack of accessible pools in Naperville always has stumped me.  

---

There is a lot of history with the park district proposing pools, referendums etc. I swear a few park district executives lost their jobs in the midst of it. The park board refuses to move on it.  

Answer 10

I’m a Chicago Native and moved to SE Naperville off of 75th St. Love being close to downtown and I-355 I-88 and I-55. Naperville 204 schools start later and end later. Naperville 203 schools start earlier at 8 and end at 230. If you work thats a factor to consider in regards to before and after school care. Love 203 schools. They offer band and orchestra in 4th grade. 204 does not.  

Answer 11

Downtown is busy but there is so much to do. Use the parking garage as much as you can. Naperville is close to the interstate so you have tons of options to go to other cities for more activities. The library downton is great. I use it all the time. You have Centennial Beach, which is so-so, but Raging Waves is not a far drive for a great water park option. It is a safe city. Great schools.  

Answer 12

I would consider proximity to highway especially for your husband’s commute. Most of the schools are good and I would agree north naperville or close to Lisle would be great. Even some Lisle homes feed into Naperville schools so that could be an option to be closer to the highway with still great schools.  

Answer 13

If you are commuting downtown and working long hours, you want to be between both Lisle and Downtown Naperville train stations, have access to the DuPage River Trail so you can bike to the station and have access to express Pace bus.  

Answer 14

We are 5 min from downtown in 204. Great neighborhoods, shopping, restaurants!  

Answer 15

Downtown has several FREE parking garages and/or lots. Even if you find street parking, it is free.  

Answer 16

Downtown Naperville has the DuPage Children’s Museum, YMCA (fitness, pools, classes, the Nichols Library, the Park Dist. Municipal Band Shell behind the Y for concerts and summer movies, the river walk , the park district’s Alfred Rubin Community Center with preschool and fitness classes, Parents Day out at church behind the Y, and North Central College that offers many community concerts, lectures, and performances.  

Answer 17

1. I would say 80% of the town is not well water. When looking at home listings, I believe it mentions where water is sourced from 2. Schools are all great. There are definitely some with more diversity than others, if that matters to you. Elmwood and river woods offer dual language classes starting in kindergarten if that’s something that would interest you. 3. There is a gated subdivision which is technically addressed as woodridge but goes to Naperville public schools. It’s at Greene road and 75th. 4. You find tricks to parking downtown, but all I gotta say is obey the parking signs or you will get a ticket. Living close to downtown was important to us because we’re down there so much and my husband occasionally takes the train.  

Comments

White Eagle Elementary is incredibly diverse which I love. There are more Asian families (mostly Indian) than Caucasian families.  

---

@dropforge all 203 children can opt to participate in dual language (could go to a lottery if there are too many applicants), not just those schools.  

---

@eustoliaeutectic I did hear about this. Is it more difficult if it’s not your assigned school or is everyone put in the lottery?  

---

I know that at least steeple run and Beebe also have dual language. And if your home school doesn’t have it you can request river woods and the district will provide transportation. Again, subject to lottery if there are too many kids that request it.  

---

@dropforge everyone is in the lottery for river woods, so if you really want dual language live in the Bebee, steeple run, or any other elementary school that hosts it.  

---

For what it’s worth, as a 2 time dual language mom, I would only do it if it’s in my home school.  

---

@eustoliaeutectic gotcha. We’re in Elmwood territory so hopefully we’d be okay if we decide to go that route. I didn’t realize we had 4 elementary schools with dual language. That’s awesome!  

---

@dropforge it might be more by now. I’m old . It’s a great program. You’ll love it.  

---

Mill Street has dual language as well

Answer 18

I’ve been here a year and the downtown area attracted us but I will admit that I avoid it. The parking is just simply annoying to me. The garages are great and free but not convenient to most of the stores. If you have any limitations (I did for several months), it’s just not possible.  

Comments

I would advise anyone to look for home with access to a bikeway or ideally DuPage River Trail. It is a nice way to get into downtown quickly without parking and enjoy the day. There are many established neighborhoods with gutted homes along the trail. After living on LSD Downtown for 10+ years, I want a respite not a traffic scene similar to Fullerton and Sheridan, which Downtown Naperville rivals at times. You will pay a premium for congestion and no yard living in Downtown Naperville. Look south starting at Gartner/Hobson and move down as far as 87th if you want to stay in DuPage County and avoid Will County taxes.  

Answer 19

Daniela, I’ve lived here 24 years and have 3 kids. One thing I hear a lot from people in some of the “newer” (20-30 years old) areas of Naperville, is that they wish they knew how many of the older neighborhoods had pools when they bought they house. Many of the older neighborhoods have pools which helps build quick friendships for you and your kids, and of course is a lot of fun.  This is not to say the newer ones don’t have them, it’s just less common. If you are looking in District #203, you will find a lot of established neighborhoods.  

Answer 20

If you move close to town, it's super cheap(and fun)to take a Tuk Tuk. I've never had a problem finding parking in either of the parking garages in the Winter

Answer 21

Parking is easy once you know how! Several free lots scattered around!  

Answer 22

We live in unincorporated naperville. Things i love about it. 1. My taxes are lower. 2. More land-we have 1/2 acre 3. We are on well and septic- our water doesnt smell like some does and i have no water bill! This is a big plus. I grew up on the south side of Chicago so i was hesitant at first. We buy 5 gallon drinking water refills from walmart for 1. 95. The only thing i dont love is we have to pay for a library card and pay non resident rates for park district stuff but the lower taxes make up for that. Our library card is 171. 00 for the year for our family.  

Answer 23

I saw earlier that soemone had mentioned lisle. We live in green trails in lisle and feed into 203 schools. There are three different schools dep. On where you live, two middle and one high school. Lisle has an AWESOME pool and a great library system. Close to 88 355 , train and downtown naperville. Downtown lisle is trying to make a comeback but there are some really good restaurants in DT lisle. We have ooved here for 20 years and never regret moving here .  

Answer 24

Join this group-  
https://www.facebook.com/Naperville365/

Answer 25

If you’re at all interested in a dual language program district 203 has the program but district 204 does not. Dual language is a Spanish immersion learning program. There is an application and list to get in if your child is a native English speaker but it’s just something else to be aware of and consider if it’s something your family is interested in.  

Answer 26

Lol! When we moved in we went to a McDonalds and asked people what they liked and disliked about the area. 1. Schools! Not much on the dislike list 27 years ago.  

Comments

And there’s a nice home for sale on Apple River, walking distance to school and beautiful running, walking, biking paths.  

---

@salford85 good luck on your search, it’s a big “ town”.