Possibly moving to the north Chicago area... (Waukegan, Evanston: apartments, rentals)

[KStater4Life]

Hey all....I've used the site before and I found it is a really big help....

I was offered a position out of Waukegan today by my company and so I'm trying to do some research on this area. I would not have to live IN Waukegan, as I have a reliable car, don't mind a little commute, and would rather live somewhere nice then close. I have been to Chicago several times, including the north suburbs area. I would rather live to the south of Waukegan, as opposed to the north, if I had to pick. Just for some background, I am a single, never-married 25 year-old male with no kids. One of the biggest concerns is finding a place where there are other young people/recent college grads to associate with. I enjoy a good nightlife, and also good running and biking trails. I tend to avoid strip mall wastelands as well.

I read the other thread about Waukegan, but figured some newer people might be able to contribute as well. Thank you so much!....

[jlp696]

Waukegan = Gang problem
North Chicago = MAJOR gang problems!!!!
If you had to choose from the two, I would look in Waukegan. They have some areas that are nice and safe. Also consider heading west into Gurnee, Grayslake, Lindenhurst or north to Wadsworth, Zion or Winthrop Harbor.
These words of wisdom come from 13 years of law enforcement experience in this area :-)

[Goldengirls]

Look in Evanston. There are three Metra train stops in Evanston, and any one of them will take you to Waukegan frequently. Evanston has the single and young life style you look for, and it's defintely closer to Waukegan than Chicago is.

[homewifeev]

I would recommend Gurnee or Highland Park-Ft. Sheridan Area. Driving from Evanston to Waukegan will give you serious headaches.

[misconceptions]

Don't live in North Chicago! There's a reason why it's nickname is "NoGo". Because DON'T GO. It's the ghetto.

Look in Waukegan, there are a lot of NICE, SAFE areas in the city. The North Side is nice; the area north of Washington, west of Lewis, east of Greenbay, and south of Grand is a very nice area; there's a really nice neighborhood in the southern part of the city as well..it's bordered by forest preserves, and the historic district along sheridan to the north east side of the city.

Waukegan offers loads of good options, lots of good neighborhoods. AVOID THE SOUTHEAST SIDE OF THE CITY AT ALL COSTS.

[gussie]

Waukegan is horrible!!! The crime rate is very bad. Don't move there and expect to do any shopping after dark. Alot of gang issues, as well as multiple illegal alien families living in single family homes and jacking the taxes sky high. Waukegan for a town of close to 85,000 has no movie shows, no decent restarants and offers nothing but high crime , and city officials that are on the take. They don't even live in their own town. They live outside it in Midlane estates, That's how much they vlue their safety!!!!!!

[Sparkman]

Originally Posted by gussie

Waukegan is horrible!!! The crime rate is very bad. Don't move there and expect to do any shopping after dark. Alot of gang issues, as well as multiple illegal alien families living in single family homes and jacking the taxes sky high. Waukegan for a town of close to 85,000 has no movie shows, no decent restarants and offers nothing but high crime , and city officials that are on the take. They don't even live in their own town. They live outside it in Midlane estates, That's how much they vlue their safety!!!!!!

This is alot of B.S. 1st of all, Midlane Estates is a subdivision IN the city limits of Waukegan. While there is no longer a movie theatre, there are MANY fine restaurants in Waukegan. It is a city that has its problems, but it also has many things going for it as well.

To the OP, it don't think Waukegan would be a good town for you and I understood that you were looking for areas north of Chicago, not North Chicago. Highland Park, Highwood, Deerfield, etc would probably offer more of what you are looking for. But, it is very expensive to live there.

[trailerguy]

I concur with the other opinions about North Chicago and southeast Waukegan. If expense is an issue, consider Park City. A new mobile home will cost about $30-60K depending on size, a used model in good condition will run about a third of that. Space rents run 500-575 month. We have our own police department. The town is quiet, very safe and close to all major arteries, and close to the nightlife in Gurnee. If the idea of a mobile home does not appeal to you, there are apartments in the east side of Gurnee on Delaney Road with very reasonable rentals and a lot of young people.

[misconceptions]

Originally Posted by gussie

Waukegan is horrible!!! The crime rate is very bad. Don't move there and expect to do any shopping after dark. Alot of gang issues, as well as multiple illegal alien families living in single family homes and jacking the taxes sky high. Waukegan for a town of close to 85,000 has no movie shows, no decent restarants and offers nothing but high crime , and city officials that are on the take. They don't even live in their own town. They live outside it in Midlane estates, That's how much they vlue their safety!!!!!!

Do you even live in Waukegan? You are full of BS. Waukegan is safe day and night anywhere. We only have a couple of murders per year for a 90k+ city which is very good. Our crime rate is among the lowest of cities of our size. We have tons of decent restaurants. We have a new Chili's, Sweet Tomatoes, IHOP, lots of nice family restaurants... tons of fine restaurants downtown including an fine Italian restaurant, a new coffee shop, a fine bistro, a fine Mexican restaurant. Waukegan is MOVING up. We also have very nice neighborhoods to choose from. If you visited my neighborhood and saw how quiet and well-kept it was you wouldn't even know what this person is talking about. My life has NEVER been in danger in Waukegan. Everyone I know has never been in danger.

My neighborhood is super safe. Lots of older people who take exceptional care of their property. I couldn't be happier in Waukegan.

[Chicago60614]

Originally Posted by Goldengirls

Look in Evanston. There are three Metra train stops in Evanston, and any one of them will take you to Waukegan frequently. Evanston has the single and young life style you look for, and it's defintely closer to Waukegan than Chicago is.

25 year old single male, who doesn't mind a commute (train would be easiest) and likes a little night-life?

Go for Evanston.