Considering move to Arlington Heights

Hello,

I am considering moving to Arlington Heights for a new job and wanted to ask everyone here for their feedback on certain aspects of living in your area. Any info you can provide would be helpful.

I have two young children (4 and 1) and wanted to know:
- Is the community safe (i.e can my wife walk around alone outside at night.)?
- Is there a high crime rate? Are there any crimes that happen more often?
- What is the environment like, (i.e air quality, water quality, etc...)?
- Are there any major environmental issues (i.e. proximity of toxic waste dump, garbage incinerator, etc...)?
- How big of an issue is O'Hare Airport (noise, air quality)?
- Quality of the schools in comparison to national averages?
- What are the options in terms of recreation programs for youngsters? (i.e. ice hockey, soccer, baseball, gymnastics, etc...)
- Are your neighbours friendly? Is there a sense of community or do people keep to themselves?

Any comments on the general quality of life would also be appreciated.

I would be moving from Toronto. If any of you have been here and can offer more detailed comparisons, that would be great.

Thanks,

cdn_expat (maybe)

I've spent time in Toronto, and there's no real comparison.   For one, Toronto is a city and Arlington Heights is a suburb.

I agree Toronto is a bit diffrent then Arlington Heights,but I think it is one of the better suburbs and with close to the train you can get into the city pretty easy. Housing is a bit costly but what I like Arlington alaways seems to have things going on between the racetrack the town,theaters,parks I think everybody can find things to do.