That was filmed all over the Chicago area, including in LA, I believe. The stack of cars is, if memory serves, in Berwyn (what a lovely place ).

Could be worse it could have been Cicero

Going way back to the start of the thread, the trouble with Buffalo Grove is that it's a really saught after area and so property prices are going to be high (admittedly not UK prices) so I guess the OP may have to look at further west such as Elgin or Huntley to find cheaper prices

Hi again

Great information from you all. Especially about the property taxes. The American credit system and way of doing things seems like an absolute minefield to the unaccustomed. Still, I'm sure I'll get my head around it eventually!

Dave2702's post mentioned Buffalo Grove being a desirable area - the price of the area is not really a problem to be honest, its the schooling that concerns me... Now I'm not really sure how to say this, without somehow sounding racist or religionist (if you know what i mean) and can I just say that I am in no way, shape of form racist or religionist! But my husband has been led to believe that Buffalo Grove is a very concentrated close-knit Jewish community, very difficult for a non-Jewish (foreigner) to penetrate and feel a part of. Some of the other earlier posts mentioned how religion is very important to Americans and hard to ignore - does anyone think that this factor could be a major issue for an English family to settle into??

To me, this is a very strange question to ask. America's not a series of ethnic or religous ghettos. You won't have any problems beyond the very occassional reference to church (or temple) in casual conversation. I think you're overestimating the role religon will play in you life here.

Point taken. For me personally I think it wouldn't make a great deal of difference. i suppose i was thinking more of my daughter at school - the fact that she may feel excluded if the majority of her peers were part of "club she didn't belong to" as a child her age might see it??? And i assume that religion may play a big part within school?

I'm probably completely wrong, and i apologise if these naive questions cause offence?

whoa girl .... no apolgising here .... attack attack is the way ...
don't even matter if your wrong ..wing it ..

There is no religion in ordinary schools here. Different in a private school that was affilliated with a particular religion.
We live in a very catholic area and we are not catholic. Lots of people we know goto the same church and it has never been an issue. We also have a very large synagogue and so we have a lot of Jewish friends. It is never an issue either.
Religion is mentioned but never rammed down our throats here.
We went to our first Bat Mitzvah in January and it was lovely

Wing it? I was just a tad worried my wings may have got a good clippin'!

Thankyou. I can't wait to experience all this!

Personally I think we should have a Chicago area get-together when you're over.

Damn unemployed bums get everywhere

You're on Maz! It's scary thinking I won't know a soul when i get there. A good chinwag with likewise people always helps...

There's even a smiley one in your pool.

Pure class ..the saggy bottom boy ...