A.M.
Hi D.,
I live in Homewood, IL, right downtown and can walk to the Metra station.
www.metrarail.com
www.homesweethomewood.com
www.hsd153.org
www.hfparks.org
These sites are to the train system, my town, and my kids' school district, and the park district. We are a fantastic south suburb of Chicago. I grew up near here, but moved from a West Suburb (Downers Grove). Homewood is affordable, the schools are FANTASTIC, it's diverse, it's safe, the park district is award winning in the country & top notch all around, and the housing is very affordable (especially compared to the west/north suburbs). The park district offers before & after school care that for kids, and my daughter has several friends who go. I think it's called Extra Innings, and it would be listed in the programs on the park district site (with prices). We live right downtown, as I mentioned. Homewood has many affordable homes for sale and for rent, and there are also nice apartments and condos downtown near the train station as well as in the neighborhoods (still within walking distance from the train). Homewood is friendly, and we absolutely love it. I think it's a great option for a single parent commuting to Chicago. If you have any questions, please feel free to send me a private message.