CHICAGO LIFESTYLE REALTOR: THIS WEEK'S REVIEW OF 55+ ACTIVE ADULT COMMUNITIES & CONDOS
By: Christine Moscinski, Lifestyle Realtor and House Hunter at Gobber GMAC Real Estate
Update: August 26, 2009
This week's top 55+ condo pick for best in affordability 5540 Walnut - Downers Grove: My rating is A+ for a 2/BR 1BA 55+ CONDO under $85,000 with elevators, secured entry, parking, workout room, library, minutes to I-355 and METRA! Very nice building, nice people and well maintained.
Many Baby Boomers are looking for housing options and there is a lot of information to take in. Where do you start looking, how about the area, is there nearby shopping, what are the monthly assessments, etc. If you are looking to downsize from a large home or townhome to something with less maintenance and reduced square footage, now is a great time to get some great deals. There are several options available for you located in some great western suburbs of Chicago that are close to shopping and restaurants, yet offer privacy and serene nature settings.
CLOSER TO CITY:
If your needs require you to be near the city of Chicago, not so quiet and closer to your neighbors, then my picks would be a step ranch or slab (no basement) in some popular suburbs with affordable taxes like my select choices based on affordability: Westchester, Berwyn, La Grange Park and Downers Grove/Woodridge area.
Some single family homes are more affordable than a 55+ community right now. With the very popular Salt Creek bike trails, YMCA, no assessments, near the BNSF METRA, affordable taxes and within walking distance or short drive to shopping and great restaurants - these suburbs are bustling with events and things to do and are all a short drive to bustiling La Grange.
La Grange offers lots of community events and bustling sidewalk cafes, restaurants, bistros, theater, mixed cultures and diverse age groups, and you are close to all the summer/outdoor events and within walking distance to METRA.
QUIET SUBURBAN:
For a more quiet and exclusive closed community development; my choices are Romeoville, Oswego or further north, Del Webb or Toll Brothers communities that cater to your every need with swimming pools, club house and trails that are built right into the community and are gated for privacy.
These developments do come with a higher price tag and taxes at these communities are usually a bit higher if newer (newer developments usually have higher taxes) and there are assessments/fees you must pay to live there.
There are some great affordable homes in these suburbs in gated or closed communities such as Grandhaven in Romeoville and Del Webb Sun City in Huntley with 2BR/2BA and 2 car garage (no basement) that start from the $170K and go up to the upper $600K in exclusive areas such as South Barrington, Toll Brothers Development; further away from Chicago, yet a short drive to the METRA for a 40 minute ride into the city.
It really all depends on the lifestyle you wish to lead and that is where I come in. My goal is to evaluate your needs and assess how you live now and what you are looking for.
I then review choice communities and homes based on your criteria of wants, location and affordability.
Instead of going in circles looking for your best options, contact me today for your free lifestyle evaluation today at (708)369-8094 - you'll be glad you did!
Market expert Christine Moscinski serves the western suburbs so call today for free consultation today to discuss your plans for tomorrow!
This valuable information provided by Christine Moscinski, Broker Associate at GOBBER GMAC Real Estate and market expert in Chicago’s Western Suburbs.