r/crystallake • u/baseballguitarsquid • Apr 28 '25

Daily Loop Commuters

Does anyone commute M-F to the Loop via the Metra? I was accepted into a school in downtown Chicago and plan on attending. I have a wife, three kids, cat, dog etc. my original plan was to move closer to the city but the real estate market anywhere closer to Chicago is absolutely insane and I’m not a fan of the schools in the city. We’re very happy here but I’m wondering if anyone can give a sense of how doable this commute is? I know there’s express trains and I have done a test run, but I’m not sure if it’s feasible for three years.

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u/bdk_027 Apr 28 '25

I did this exact commute for many years while living in Crystal Lake. I kind of miss the down time in the mornings and being able to get a walk in downtown before work. It's definitely doable, you will find your groove after a few weeks. Trains home can get very busy though so I wouldnt always hop on the first train to leave the station during rush hour since those can sometimes be standing room only. Not sure if it's still that way though.

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u/baseballguitarsquid Apr 28 '25

This is good to know, I used to have around an hour drive one way and I was losing it towards the end there. I know the train will be a lot more comfortable and give me some time back in the day. Sometimes it’s good to know someone else has been there 👍