Relocation Guide · 7 min read
Relocating to Chicago's West Suburbs
Six distinct towns, six very different answers. Use this guide to shortlist two or three before you fly in for tours.
Town-by-town shortlist
| Town | Best for | Price band | Commute | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naperville | Top schools (203 + 204), walkable downtown, Metra BNSF | ~$550K–$650K median | 35–45 min BNSF | Read |
| Hinsdale | Luxury, historic homes, Hinsdale Central HS, fastest train | $900K+ median | 25–35 min BNSF | Read |
| Aurora | Value + diversity, big inventory, District 204 in the east | ~$300K–$450K typical | 45–55 min Route 59 | Read |
| Plainfield | New construction, District 202 schools, family-driven | ~$400K–$500K typical | Car to I-55 or to Route 59 Metra | Read |
| Bolingbrook | Central location, variety of housing, easy I-355 access | ~$350K–$450K typical | Car to I-355; Romeoville Metra nearby | Read |
| Oswego | Newer subdivisions, Fox River, District 308 schools | ~$350K–$450K typical | Car to Route 59 Metra | Read |
A 4-step relocation plan
- Define your commute reality. Most days remote, hybrid 2x/week, or 5 days downtown? That answer alone narrows the list to 2–3 towns.
- Lock the school district. 203 (Naperville), 204 (Indian Prairie), 202 (Plainfield), 308 (Oswego), 365U (Bolingbrook) — all strong, but boundary lines matter more than town names.
- Pick your price band and home era. 1990s+ newer construction skews southwest (60564 Naperville, Plainfield, Oswego); historic / walkable skews east (Hinsdale, 60540 Naperville).
- Book a 2-day tour. A focused itinerary across your top 2 towns beats a scattered week — the towns feel very different in person.
Frequently asked
Which Chicago suburb is best for families?
Naperville and Hinsdale lead on schools and amenities; Plainfield (District 202) and Oswego (District 308) offer newer construction and larger lots at a lower price point; Aurora and Bolingbrook deliver the most space per dollar with strong, growing school choices.
How long is the commute from the west suburbs to downtown Chicago?
By Metra BNSF, Naperville to Union Station is about 35–45 minutes. Route 59 (Naperville/Aurora) is 45–55 minutes. Hinsdale (BNSF) is 25–35 minutes. By car on I-88 or I-290, expect 45–90 minutes depending on time of day.
Are the west suburbs in DuPage or Will County?
Both. Hinsdale and most of Naperville are in DuPage County. Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Oswego and southern Naperville are largely in Will County. County affects property tax bills, so confirm at the address.
What does a typical west suburbs home cost?
As of recent market data: Hinsdale median is $900K+; Naperville sits around $550K–$650K; Bolingbrook and Plainfield are typically $350K–$500K; Aurora and Oswego often $300K–$450K. Within each town, school boundary and zip code drive significant price differences.
Should I rent first or buy when relocating?
If you're confident about town and school district, buying directly often makes more sense in a stable market — closing costs and moving twice add up. If you're new to the region or weighing job options downtown vs the suburbs, a 6–12 month rental gives you time to verify the commute and the neighborhood before committing.
Planning a relocation trip?
Tell Ramya your commute, school priorities and budget — she'll send a shortlist and build a 2-day tour itinerary across your top towns.