Gurnee, Lake Bluff, Waukegan (Chicago, North Chicago: real estate, apartments, rent)

[epf637]

I am going to be going to Rosalind Franklin. I heard the crime rate in North Chicago is a bit high, is it true? I am debating whether I should live in dorm or find an off-campus apartment in Gurnee, Lake Bluff, or Waukegan. I am not really familiar with the areas, is there any suggestion? Also, I want to know about the transportation there and how necessary it is to have a car if I live off-campus? Thanks!

[ahava]

Crime is high in North Chicago, and Waukegan is not much better (though some parts are okay). Lake Bluff is expensive - Gurnee is probably your best option. It's very likely that you will need a car. There are buses (http://www.pacebus.com) but they don't run very often. In my experience, living in the dorms is easier, because you can walk to class and be involved in on-campus activities, but if the dorms are trashy then it's not worth it. It depends on your personal situation too.

[epf637]

I don't know how good are the dorms b/c it seems like they don't include any furniture and you have to pay for electricity. It is very expensive too, I think in average a little over $1000 a month. Lake Bluff's rent is about $800-900/month. I can find cheaper ones in Waukegan about $500-600, though I don't know it's because that's a crappy area or what. Though I heard that Gurnee has a huge mall, so the traffic there is really bad, is it true? Thanks for helping!

[Marcus23]

Lake Bluff is really pricey, I doubt youll find anything cheap there. I've been to waukegan, and I was surprised how dumpy it looked. Even though Gurnee has a massive mall, you can find a nice area without the traffic hassle and it has less crime than waukegan.

[epf637]

If I do live in Waukegan, which areas/streets that I should stay away from? How is near Grand Ave? Better to be on the Green Bay Rd side or Sheridian side? Where do you recommend to live in Gurnee? Thanks!

[norska55]

yeah, I'm wondering abt N. Chicago as well. looking at properties there under $120K and there are a fair number.
but realtor demographics indicate a 300% crime rate; average is 100%. this is a big red flag.
But the townhouse property is roomy and appealing.

does anyone have direct experience with what it's like to live up there?

-a NW suburbanite

[Frank the Tank]

Originally Posted by norska55

yeah, I'm wondering abt N. Chicago as well. looking at properties there under $120K and there are a fair number.
but realtor demographics indicate a 300% crime rate; average is 100%. this is a big red flag.
But the townhouse property is roomy and appealing.

does anyone have direct experience with what it's like to live up there?

-a NW suburbanite

I lived in Libertyville for a couple of years and I can tell you that you definitely get what you pay for. When the rest of north suburbs have average home prices that push toward the $1 million mark, you have to know that there are serious problems with North Chicago and Waukegan with such low real estate prices. I grew up on the South Side, so I have a lot higher threshhold than the average North Shore resident in terms of calling a place a "bad neighborhood", but even I will say that North Chicago and Waukegan are legitimately dangerous areas. If you want relatively more affordable real estate in the north suburbs without the crime problems, I'd look toward Gurnee, Grayslake, and the eastern portion of Mundelein.

[epf637]

I've heard that Gurnee has really bad traffic b/c of the big mall, so which area would has a little less traffic? Thanks!

[Frank the Tank]

Originally Posted by epf637

I've heard that Gurnee has really bad traffic b/c of the big mall, so which area would has a little less traffic? Thanks!

I see the traffic question/issue a lot, but my opinion is that if you live anywhere in the Chicago area (at least the places that people want to live and work), you're going to have to deal with traffic problems. Gurnee has a lot of tourists that come and go from Gurnee Mills and Six Flags, but Route 132 (which is where both are located) also has a lot of lanes to handle cars. Other areas might not have as many tourists, yet still have significant traffic problems since they have single-lane roads that haven't been updated to handle the influx of new residents. Therefore, unless you want to move up to Wisconsin, you should just assume that traffic problems are going to be a given in the north suburbs and pick a place that best suits your needs in terms of price and proximity to your school. There are simply going to a lot of cars and people in all of the towns that you're looking at.

[djckrumsee]

You do not want to live in North Chicago or Waukegan. The apartments may be cheaper, but you may not make it from your car to your apt late at night. High gang activities, etc, in lots of areas. You could maybe get an apartment in Lake Bluff for around $800-$1000, though it would be nothing fancy and definately unfurnished. The "affordable" apartments in LB are most likely in Forest Pointe or a similar complex off of Waukegan Road (across from Abbott Labs). These are all fine complexes - very clean, young people, many Abbott professionals, and even a pool here and there. Downside is that you most definately need a car.

In fact, if you are anywhere but right on campus, you will definately need a car. I would even go so far as to say that if you ever need groceries, you will want a car. The University is not really within walking distance of anything at all, and I wouldn't want to ride a bus alone going to or from North Chicago or Waukegan. There is virtually no crime in Lake Bluff, though it is expensive. It also has absolutely no night life--sidewalks roll up at 5:00.

Gurnee is a good bet and as far as I know, almost everywhere is safe. You'll definitely get more for your money there. The mall is very spread and traffic is not really that bad. It can be horrible going south at rush hour, but if you're only going east to school, it probably won't be bad at all.

Libertyville is safe and very nice and also has a lot of good night life - a great downtown. You may be able to find a good apartment there or maybe on the eastern side of Mundelein. Grayslake is nice too. Actually, just about any area except for North Chicago or Waukegan is safe and nice and you'll need a car anyway.

I've known people who've lived in the dorms at Rosalind and liked it. Most, though, ended up sharing apartments with people they met in class.

Good luck with whatever you decide.