Living Near Metra: A Commuter's Guide to Chicago's North and West Suburbs

For many buyers moving out of the city, the train decides the search. Hybrid work has made the commute less of a daily grind, but being able to walk to a Metra station still adds value to a home. Here's how the suburbs we work in connect to downtown.

North Shore: Union Pacific North (UP-N)

The UP-N runs along the lakefront into Ogilvie Transportation Center.

• Evanston: several Metra stops (Main Street, Davis Street, Central Street) plus the CTA Purple Line, which gives Evanston more transit options than any other suburb.
• Winnetka: three stations (Indian Hill, Winnetka, Hubbard Woods) spread across a small village, so many homes are a short walk from a train.
• Highland Park: multiple stations including downtown Highland Park, Ravinia and Braeside, with the Ravinia Festival stop as a summer bonus.

North suburbs: Milwaukee District North (MD-N)

The MD-N runs northwest into Union Station.

• Glenview: two stations (Glenview and North Glenview). Downtown Glenview's station is in the middle of restaurants and shops.
• Northbrook: one station in downtown Northbrook, with I-94 and I-294 close by for drivers.

Comparing these two? Read Glenview vs. Northbrook.

Northwest suburbs: UP-NW and MD-W

• Arlington Heights (UP-NW): the downtown station anchors one of the region's liveliest suburban downtowns, with condos and townhomes within walking distance of the train.
• Schaumburg (MD-W): the Schaumburg station serves the village's west side. Many Schaumburg residents drive to work along I-90 or commute to the suburban office corridor instead.
• Hoffman Estates: no station inside the village. Commuters typically use nearby Schaumburg (MD-W) or stations on the UP-NW, and I-90 runs right through town.

West suburbs: UP-W, BNSF and the CTA

• Oak Park: Metra's UP-W and two CTA lines (Green and Blue), which makes it one of the easiest car-optional suburbs.
• Hinsdale (BNSF): three stations (West Hinsdale, Hinsdale and Highlands) on Metra's busiest line, which runs frequent rush-hour service into Union Station.

Tips for buying near the train

• Walk it at rush hour. "Near the train" can mean a pleasant 8-minute walk or a crossing you'll wait at every morning.
• Check the schedule, not just the map. Express trains during rush hour can make a farther station faster than a closer one. Metra's online schedules show exact times.
• Think about noise. Homes right on the tracks often sell at a discount, which is a good value if horns and freight trains don't bother you.
• Parking matters. If you'll drive to the station, find out how the village handles commuter parking permits and waitlists.

Want a short list of homes within walking distance of a specific station? Tell us your line and budget and we'll set up a search. See current prices in each town on our market report, or book a call.