Hi good folks of Reddit 👋 Looking for some guidance. I’m originally from Illinois - raised in the western burbs. My wife and I have lived in the Bay Area for the last decade. We have kids in elementary school and are considering a move to the Chicago burbs for the below reasons:

• Suburbs are be a great place to raise my kids. I love how down-to-earth midwestern life is and I want that for them. Loved my childhood there

• Lower cost of living relative to the Bay Area. We can buy a lot more house.

• Move closer to family who are getting old.

I’m looking for suburb recommendations that might meet the below criteria:

1. Housing Budget: Less than $1.5M
2. Diversity (Political, Racial and Religious)
3. Good public school that are diverse and not insanely competitive.
4. Proximity to Chicago - within 45m
5. Near shopping, malls, good restaurants.
6. Welcoming and inclusive community - the kind of neighborhood where you’re close to your neighbors and your kids can run and bike freely.

I’m most familiar with the western suburbs because I grew up out there. I’m looking for other similar burbs that meet the above criteria and are a little closer to Chicago. I have been looking at North Shore (Wilmette, Glencoe and Evanston) but worry about super competitive schools like New Trier. I never spent much time there but they seem nice. Concerned that North Shore isn’t diverse. Have also researched Northbrook. Really just starting my research process. Would love any guidance and perspective! Thanks.

I recently got an EV and was looking to install a Level 2 charger. Unfortunately, Comed's funding ran out for their rebate program that covers $2500 of the install. It's hopefully going to come back in 2025.

One of the conditions of the rebate is a switch to hourly pricing or participation in their "Residential Optimization Pilot". I'm not quite sure what this is. I was hoping someone might be able to explain it to me.

https://www.comed.com/about-us/clean-energy/electric-vehicle-charger-and-installation-rebate

Does anyone know what they are? It sounds like someone is launching 1,000 fireworks at once, or an implosion of some sort. I'd really like to know if anyone else is hearing this.

Hi. It’s that time of year where it’s extra lovely to be by a fireplace or fire pit. Where can I find them? So excited for our cozy 🍁🍁🍁 season.

In the west burbs- Wife and I have Comcast. She wants to cancel and switch to At&T Fiber but I’m hesitant because I’ve heard horrible things about At&T.

I know comcast is terrible as well - just need some advice

Pie Life Pizzeria (Carol Stream and Glen Ellyn locations) is one of my top pizza places in the area right now. Jersey style, crispy crust, Sicilian vodka (garlic cream + tomato sauce, so garlicky good) is always a must order for me.

Look for a place to go where my pregnant wife can get a delicious ‘mocktail’.

Heading to Deerfield for work for a week. I'm expecting to have very little to any downtime so I'm trying to make the most of it and find some fun places to eat for early breakfast or late dinner as my free time will likely be before 8:00am & after 8:00pm. Things I can have delivered/ubered to my hotel as I won't have a car.

I've never been to Chicago/Deerfield before (and I doubt I'll get back unless it's work related), but I know Chicago is suppose to be known for pizza so hit me with your best pizza places that will deliver or offer Uber/doordash. I've looked up a few already- The ones I've found don't make anything smaller than a medium size pizza, is that the norm?

I also love trying new donuts/ice cream/acai/bake shops when I travel so anything that fits that bill I'd love to hear it.

Thanks so much! :)

title says it all, just trying to have a romantic date.

(forgive the formatting, i’m typing this on my phone at work) long story short, i’m currently in the process of decluttering and getting rid of things i won’t use/need, and since i want to prevent waste as much as i can, i thought it would be a good idea to donate. i’d prefer somewhere in dupage county, but i’d be willing to make a drive into the city if i need to. and as the title suggests, i had a place intended to help the queer community in mind, but at the very least i’d like to support a place that WON’T refuse to help someone if they’re any kind of queer, don’t go to church, etc.

some of what i’m looking to donate:

• soap
• unused makeup products
• menstrual products

Want to try somewhere new that isn’t 90 minutes away. Any nice areas?

My wife’s got a back issue, looking for someplace to go where she can sit comfortably. Any place jump out? Thanks!

Any suggestion of U Pick apple orchards open on this Saturday?

There used to be a number of locations throughout the Chicagoland Area but they're mostly, if not all, closed now.

I thought their food was delicious and service was pretty good.

Were they just the victims of COVID, like so many other restaurants?

Hi everyone, I live in the crystal lake area and trying to find a local plumber that does a good job. Looking to have a gas line installed and just had someone give me a estimate that was very high. Sewing if anyone around me does work on the side for cash?

Looking for some spooky haunted houses in Chicago suburbs (anywhere really, willing to travel), geared towards adults and not children. List your best recommendations please 😊

With the recent post about Portillo’s quality going down hill, what’s your local go to hot dog/italian beef/fries place? Give us the name and location and share your favorite

Might be a long shot but I'm dealing with a cat with significant allergies. In the event the prescription food from her regular vet doesn't work I'll need to take her to a dermatologist to sort out environmental allergies. I live in Roselle, anyone know a good one near-by? Thanks.

Has anyone been here? We went a few months ago, and it was underwhelming. Out of curiosity I looked them up and they have pretty bad reviews for a business that hasn't been there long. The owner seems unhinged. His replies to Google and Yelp reviews are nasty. Here's an example.

South Suburban Humane Society in Matteson is collecting donations saturday october 5th from 8am-12pm to bring to Brother Wolf Animal Rescue in NC! i have copied and pasted their donations list that is posted on their fb page

Donations needed: Dog crates, leashes, collars, cat carriers Dog food, cat food, food bowls, litter Blankets, towels Bottled water (they have no water use for at least 2 months) Canned goods for human consumption Peanut Butter Ravioli, Spahhettios Gallons of water Formula, diapers Paper plates, plastic cups, plastic utensils Bleach, detergent, gloves Paper towels, toilet paper

Please stop by Saturday and help them fill the truck if you are able to donate! We're all in this life together <3

they have also said they will accept adult diapers and period products if they are in unopened packages/boxes, and can openers as well

Hi all, I’m looking for apartment/townhouse/condo etc rentals in Will/Cook county (Chicago south suburbs) for under $1100 a month. I have an Emotional Support dog so would also need A/C for him so he doesn’t get overheated. I’m having a lot of difficulty finding anything that fits all three criteria, (which I’m not surprised by, but still frustrated) and would love some help if anyone knows about anything. Thanks!

Usually play at Lady T's on Farnsworth but last night I believe they overcharged me and 3/6 of us got the shits. Seeking a new spot for pool tables/darts and food there or a few doors down, maybe like 3. Thanks suburbers.

I have a friend who lives in Montgomery,IL near Aurora who has to give his toddler daily injections. He is going on a trip just after Thanksgiving and is looking for someone, a caregiver/nurse/babysitter who would be able to provide the injections while he is away. Just wondering if anyone knows someone or a business provider he could contact who would be interested in this job.

According to him it's just a simple injection and only takes a minute. No other services would be needed.

Hi! I am looking for a florist for our wedding, and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations. Our wedding is technically in Chicago but we are really open to getting them from anywhere within the surrounding suburbs too, it doesn’t really matter. Mostly looking for a place with quality work but also a bonus if they don’t require a minimum spend for weddings. Thanks in advance!