Is the North Shore still regarded prestigious? (Chicago, Aurora: for sale, travel)

[reppin_the_847]

Well if you combined the "non-North Shoreish towns" that are technically on the shore, there is a good amount of crime, but it is very isolated from the true North Shore towns. For example, combine Zion, Waukegan, North Chicago, parts of Highwood & the western side of Evanston towards Dodge Street, and you're basically talking about less affluent, sometimes higher crime areas. Most everything else on the shore is very affluent.

Originally Posted by BUalumni

I agree for the most part. But like Steve-O posted, there are some VERY nice parts of the western burbs. When I lived in Downers Grove, I can remember the attitudes that most people from the North Shore area had about Dupage county folks, and it wasn't too nice. Most of it was all out snobby! A few years ago, some friends from Naperville took me to a North Shore golf course. After we started to mingle and it came out that all but me were from the western burbs, the mood changed a full 180 from everyone present. They made it very clear, that they didn't want us hanging around their town and that the Aurora area had plenty. The way they said 'Aurora' and 'their' were less than friendly. Off course the laughing as we walked away didn't help.
But let's be honest. Where do you hear in popular culture, cities like Aurora and Naperville being referenced too in a more positive light? You don't. Heck, Aurora is the city that Wayne's World took part in? Compare that to the lifestyle portrayed in the movies that feature characters from the NS are. I can think of dozens of movies, and plays, that use the North Shore area to show off a charaters money, or prestige. The western suburbs do not have this yet. Yes, I think that Naperville's downtown is great! But that is a small part of the city. I find nothing in the rest of the Aurora and Naperville area today, that could not be found in any other metro area in the midwest. But, to date, I have not found the abudance of the NS quality of life in any midwest city either. When I lived up there, Aurora was the heavy hitting west burb. Even then it had loads of crime, and not much has changed since. I can't think of a single NS town that does have as much crime as Aurora.

[reppin_the_847]

Hinsdale I'd say is the area that in DuPage that most resembles a North Shore town because it has that older feel to it, yet it is loaded with money. Oh yeah, and it is distance-wise quite close to the city. Oak Brook & Burr Ridge seem like Hinsdale's new money, flashy neighbors (home to a lot of Indian doctors....I know this because I am Indian, and we have friends of the family out in this area of Chicagoland). Hinsdale I'm guessing is more predominantly Caucasian, and a lot more old money (less flashy, less monstrous McMansions, more understated like the North Shore). The North Shore towns south of WASP'y Lake Forest / Lake Bluff have a MUCH larger Jewish presence than the Western suburbs do. Winnetka / Kenilworth is the one WASPY pocket in the Cook County portion of the North Shore in my opinion, it reminds me a lot of Lake Forest, except that it's closer to Chicago. I generally agree with Steve-O's comments. He pointed out some very appealing west suburban towns.

Oak Park of course is the Evanston equivalent in the west (in Cook Co.), but also borders the higher crime West Side of Chicago which in my book makes it a bit less desirable than Evanston, which brings you closer to hot spots in Chicago's north side via Sheridan Rd & Lake Shore Drive such as Wrigleyville/Lincoln Park/Lakeview (and I should mention that southern Evanston borders some high crime pockets here & there in Rogers Park, but nothing like Chicago's West Side, truly the wild, wild west).

Originally Posted by lpdoxey

The only western suburb that really truly resembles the North Shore to me are River Forest and Hinsdale. Also possibly Riverside.

[F355]

Anyway, just for reference (because I haven't been to Chicago in years), what exactly constitutes the North Shore?

Does it start in Wilmette and go northward? Just for reference how far are cities like Wilmette/Winettka/Glencoe from Lake Forest and Deerfield?

Also, is Kenilworth still regarded the most prestigious suburb?

[reppin_the_847]

Probably Evanston up to Lake Bluff. Once you get north of Lake Bluff you're in the industrial company towns such as North Chicago, Waukegan, Winthrop Harbor, Zion, etc. Whole different ballgame up there, more urban blight, etc. Once you're north of Zion, you're pretty much in Kenosha, Wisconsin (maybe Pleasant Prairie briefly). South of Evanston obviously is Chicago (Rogers Park).

Originally Posted by F355

Anyway, just for reference (because I haven't been to Chicago in years), what exactly constitutes the North Shore?

Does it start in Wilmette and go northward? Just for reference how far are cities like Wilmette/Winettka/Glencoe from Lake Forest and Deerfield?

Also, is Kenilworth still regarded the most prestigious suburb?

[livefreeordy]

what about oak brook, people

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by BUalumni

Sorry I offended you. I really didn't mean too come off that way! But understand my stance. I lived in Downers Grove, where Naperville, was at the time, a running joke. I now live in the Peoria/Bloomington, Illinois area, where Naperville continues to be a running joke. And I know enough people in the North Shore area to know that they still think Naperville is a joke. Me, and most of the state, still don't quite understand the allure of Naperville. My friends that live there now don't even get it to be honest with you. If you want to say that Naperville is pretigious under the terms that it is home to multi-million dollar estates, exotic-car dealerships, and fancy restaurants, then you just included the Peoria metro area, and the cities of Normal and Bloomington under the terms prestigious. Maybe even Springfield for that matter. Which, by the way, is a term the proudest Peoria or Bloomington resident would never give to their city. Sorry. When it comes to Naperville, it really is only in the same category as these other cities. Sure, it may be at the lead because of it's location and subsequent affluence due to Chicago, but neither Naperville or Aurora has yet to make it's way out big Illinois cities and into the 'prestigious' category. Naperville's downtown is great, but Normal is quickly catching up, and in another ten years may be even better. The Peoria Riverfront has become the envy of the whole Illinois River Valley and to other cities it's size. You guys have much more incommon with us, than you do with the North Shore.

No offense taken.

Im still going to disagree with you though. In no way is Peoria remotely similar to Naperville, IMO. About the only thing I think compares Peoria to Naperville is the riverfront/riverwalk area and big box stores. Naperville's schools are eons better, the city has TONS more to do for kids, there are some of the best festivals in the state in Naperville, endless fairs too. Add in the nightlife, which IMO is second to none in the suburbs and vastly better than Peoria's. And the Naperville riverwalk is alot better than Peoria's too, with its brick walkways, amphiteater, covered bridges, waterfalls and fountains, even a 9-11 memorial. Naperville's parks are also better from what Ive seen, and there are no run-down areas of Naperville like Peoria has. And as far as restaurants, Naperville also trounces Peoria (with places like Rosebuds, the Samba Room, Heaven on Seven, Sullivans, Lou Malnatis, Portillos, Hugo's Frog Bar, Giordanos, etc, etc, etc, etc). Shopping? Naperville wins this one by a huge margin too. Think of every store you can think of, Naperville has it. Then add in all the non-chain stores in downtown and you have a winner. Tell me, can you stroll into Peoria and buy a Bentley Continental GT? Maybe a Saleen S7? How about a Porsche Carrera GT? Ferrari F430 Challenge? Didnt think so. So if youre talking prestigious, I think Naperville definitely has the elements, even if most of the town is "new money". Dont get me wrong, I enjoy Peoria and think its a pretty decent place, but Naperville just offers alot more, maybe thats why people down there cant stand Naperville? A little jealousy? Seems people who hate Naperville just dislike it because of what it has to offer, seeing all that their towns lack. I lived there for one year, but didnt like the traffic nor the distance to my work, so we moved. Had my work been closer, I would still be there, its a great town.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by livefreeordy

what about oak brook, people

I mentioned it above in one of my earlier posts. And yes, Oak Brook is definitely prestigious, every bit as much as Kenilworth or Lake Forest. Oak Brook is the definition of money, with most of the town made up of CEOs, foreign dignitaries, Fortune 500 central, etc, etc.

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by livefreeordy

what about oak brook, people

again, OB is no doubt ritzy. but it dosent have the "feel" that the established north shore communities do. Oak Brook is sprawly....lot of office parks, isolated gated subdivisions. The traditional north shore area is walkable, old historic architecture, mature tree lines streets, you can ride your bike a couple blocks to the beach...just a different atmosphere

[nanannie]

Originally Posted by rgb123

South Barrington has certainly departed from the tradition.....I agree.

I think South Barrington has made a real statement --and that is, you can have alot of money and absolutly NO taste.

[Alexus]

Originally Posted by F355

I used to live in Lincolnshire waaaaaaay back in the day in the early to mid '90's. Back then the north shore was the place to be. Has it lost it's grandeur, or it is still the most prime location in Chicago.

Absolutely. The north shore is still regarded as one of the premier areas of the country for the affluent.