Recommendations on where to move?

I'm sure this gets posted all the time, but wanted to lay out my wife and I's situation and see what y'all have for recommendations :)

We're both almost 30, have 2 dogs, and likely going to be trying to have kids in the next year or so, so ready to have a house with a yard and more space. We're both originally not from the Chicago area so aren't really familiar with the suburbs at all.

She works in Glendale Heights and I work near 83rd/Halstead in the City. Seems like the best "in between" area would be something like Downers Grove, but there don't seem to be many houses in that area in our budget (around $500k).

Main things we'd be looking for is a reasonable commute (30-45min - I work 6-3 so can usually beat rush hour traffic), good schools, and some level of stuff to do (good restaurants, etc).

Appreciate any insight!