JJ5

I find that last generalization to be fairly offensive, because although I don't live there, I know immense amounts of people who do. And they are far, far more of diverse origins, races, and religions that your statement conveys, Racy.

It really concerns me when there is this kind of overview. Do a stats study of the latest census, if you think this is so true.

I might agree about the economic incomes being higher there, and that the vote has at least some strong Republican percentage in any election, but that a Democrat or a person of color would not be happy there. That's just plain hogwash. Seems to me that mosques are being built too.

Why the nasty dispargement for someone's choice who is assuming good intent. And bad things can happen anywhere, and they do.

cageym

When I first moved to Illinois in 1988 I settled in Naperville. At the time its population was about 80,000 and I almost immediately felt it was growing too rapidly for my taste; you could hardly get through town at rush hour. And at the time I recall reading that the average duration of residents living there was under five years. It felt like that to me -- transient.

Eighteen months later I moved to Wheaton and remain glad of it. Wheaton does not have downtown restaurants or shopping comparable to Naperville, but in general I'd say the community has an atmosphere that is calmer, with less pretense.

As for diversity, I find it there, contrary to what many might believe. We have friends in town who are gay, straight, young, old, white, people of color, religious, non-religious, etc. I run into people all the time who assume it is unbearably conservative. Undeniably it tilts that way politically. But I have never felt that has much affected my life there. I think the general attitude is somewhat libertarian.

Of course all of this involves painting with a broad brush. You probably can't go too wrong with either community; it's a matter of taste. Wheaton feels more like a real community to me, but I also live where I can walk to the hardware and grocery stores, bank, post office, train stations, French Market, band shell and library. I might feel differently if I was in one of the car-based subdivisions on the south side of town, as I was in Naperville.

ChiDad

I agree with JJ5 on this. While I don't have the stats in front of me, my impression is that each minority group in DuPage county (each minority race, minority religion and democrats) has at least doubled in the last 20 years. I believe in the last presidential election it was roughly 55/45 vs. 70/30 or so when I was in high school.

Kevin in Madison

Racy

Naperville is >85% white and Wheaton is 88% white, according to the census figures I see. Even some of the "lower-end" areas like Glendale Heights and Carol Stream is nearing 80% white (most minorities were Asian and hispanic). Not tremendously diverse, IMHO.

I realize this isn't a scientific sample size, but a couple of years ago my colleague went to vote in Naperville and they could't locate a Democratic ballot for him.

Perhaps you think I overstated. Fine. But if you're a left-of-liberal ethnic minority (and we do exist), Naperville or Wheaton might not be the best fit. That's all I'm saying.

JJ5

You've rounded up the fractions on your census figures, but they are almost accurate for 2000. Actually Naperville has a Hispanic/Latino/Mexican stated inclusion of almost 5% and a Black inclusion of over 3% and is increasing on both. Wheaton is almost similar.

And it was the overall glib tone of disdain in the former post that stereotyped these Dupage county locations that I really object to more than your opinion or politics, Racy.

I think what is the most instructive re the OP's query is the fact of the average income of $86,000 per year/household, far more than the stats on race or politics.

CAPH52

Racy, I think your opinion of DuPage County is quite outdated. I live in DuPage county and work in a public school that is probably 75% minority. This includes African-Americans, Hispanics, Pakistanis and Indians with a few central European immigrants thrown in for good measure. I myself am white, Christian (although Catholic which is probably not what you were going for) and most definitely NOT Republican. I'll admit that, when we moved here, I felt a bit disenfranchised every time I asked for a Democrat ballot in a primary! But things are changing. There's even a chance that a Democrat may win Henry Hyde's seat!

shug34

I have learned plenty from these posts and am curious enough to explore the towns around Naperville. Please tell me, why is this town referred to as "Napertucky"?

isabellasu

Naperville is ranked #2 in this years Money magazines best places to live issue:
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/money...PL1751622.html

I don't live in Naperville, but do enjoy visiting.

amaclise

Napertucky, I believe because it is so friggin far away from Chicago.

Its other nickname is Naper-H3ll.

One other point to keep in mind is I have heard many times that there is a long waiting list to park at the Naperville train stations. A significant point if you are commuting.

kevin_in_seattle

OK. If you read the listing in Money Magazine, you also read the CON of living in Naperville was congestion. The WORST traffic and highway I have ever been on. Worse than L.A. (I have lived in L.A.) hmmmm..lets see: traffic, horrible winters, worse summers, tons of bugs...sounds great!!

amaclise

Seems Chicago has gotten a lot better since you left.

dmtraynor53

Wheaton....definately. I worked as a consultant for Amaoco (BP now???) and tried to lure people to Naperville. I would have rather lured them to Wheaton. Wheaton is not a churchy place unless you want it to be. No more than any where else. Naperville is far too large..to many growing pains. Wheaton is a community. The park department is awesome (where else in the country is there a better community pool?) The schools are fantastic. Naperville is subdivision afer subdivision... Wheaton is a TOWN...a communitiy. We live in the east now..Massachusetts, but if I were to move back to IL (which I would never do) I would concentrate on Glen Ellyn, but more specifically Wheaton. Make sure you look up the Wheaton Sports Center no matter where you choose to reside AWESOME!!!!! Just make sure you realize that Naperville is BIG and a HUGE bedroom community. Wheaton is a really nice town with a great school system! If i wete to move back to the atea, it certainly
WOULDN'T be to Naperville!!!!!!!

CAPH52

I suspect the OP has probably made a decision by now.

CAPH52

Warning: This is an old thread! I'm pulling it back up to "correct" something I said earlier. I responded on May 11 to say that I work in a school in DuPage County that is 75% minority. Well, we just received our Winter 2006 copy of the district newsletter (mailed to all residents). It contains an article with exact figures: 19.8% white, 18.2% black, 43.2% Hispanic, 17.2% Asian/Pacific Islander and 1.6% multi-racial/ethnic. Personally, I think the 19.8% white is slightly misleading in that it includes both immigrant and non-immigrant children.

The figures are included in an article stating that the school received a National Blue Ribbon, one of only 250 in the country! They were nominated because, contrary to state trends, they've consistantly made significant improvements in standardized test scores for the past 4 years.