So you have a job in the Loop, but you’re looking to buy a home in the suburbs. You figure out how far out from Chicago you’ll have to live to be able to afford the amount of home you want – generally the farther out, the more home you get for the money. Then you look at the Metra train schedule and find out how long it will take you to get into Chicago.
The farther out you are, the longer it will take – except for express trains. I’m defining Metra express trains as trains that run nonstop to the Loop. Those fortunate enough to live in suburbs with Metra express trains can get to Chicago in the same, if not less time than closer suburbs with trains that make multiple stops along the way.
The suburb with the most Metra express trains is Naperville with 8 express trains running into Chicago in the morning. Now we know another reason why Naperville is such a popular place! Downer’s Grove has 6 express trains, followed by 4 from the Congress Park stop in Brookfield, and 3 from Elmhurst. Check MetraRail.Com for details.
Fran Bailey specializes in downtown Chicago, Lincoln Park and Lake View condos, co-op apartments and houses. She has shared home buying and selling advice since 2006 and written about over 130 Chicago high rises. To schedule showings for any listings, get a 
