The Northwest suburbs are a group of popular, family-oriented, quickly-growing residential areas. Each has its own distinctive flavor, while still staying within the parameters suburb entails. Charming neighborhoods are lined up one after another. Kids ride bikes, dogs bark, and you can't drive a block in the summer without smelling burgers on a grill or seeing a teen washing his car in the driveway.

The closer one is to the City and the older the suburb, the more flavor you'll find. Chicago's older suburbs have small, centralized downtown areas, throwbacks to the days when the area was farmland and these were the spots for the courthouses, general stores, and gathering places. These city centers are also usually home to the Metra stations, offering quick, convenient, cheap access to the Loop.

For those not so train-savvy, there are a number of expressways through the Northwest suburbs, the most prominent being I-90, or the Northwest Tollway. Unfortunately for those who choose to drive to work, Chicago's expressways get more congested seemingly by the day, and the Northwest suburbs are by no means immune to heavy traffic.

The suburbs Northwest of Chicago are some of the finest around and are outstanding places to raise a family. Some of the best school systems in the country are found here, and of course the pace is a little bit slower (and less hectic and harrowing) than in downtown Chicago.

The Northwest suburbs are a wonderful area to relocate to, as is evidenced by their rapid growth (great minds think alike!). Grocery stores, entertainment, and all the amenities one could ask for are close at hand. The Northwest suburbs also enjoy a low crime rate. Housing is affordable, and the standard of living is quite high. The Northwest suburbs are definitely worth a very thorough look for those interested in moving to a great spot in the Chicagoland area.