Evanston's pros & cons for us?

[Drover]

Originally Posted by tragicandfancytoo

Okay fine, Rogers Park is the iffiest place on earth... So says people who were born there and lived there years and years and years ago. It totally HAS to be true then, right? Thanks for showing me the light, guys! I mean, I'm originally from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, so I eat "3 or 4 shootings" for breakfast. On a slow day. I guess my definition of "iffy" requires a little more spice. And by spice, I mean complete devastation, total abandonment, and utter blight. SO, the moral of the story, I guess, is this: Unless you want to get SHOT IN THE FACE all the time everyday, do NOT move to Evanston because there is some crime sometimes in the adjacent Chicago neighborhood of Rogers Park. Is that accurate? And people, I have my own personal wounds as a result of the "iffy" in RP... Barely 12 hours ago, I was at the Chipotle on horrible, iffy Sheridan Road, when a Loyola student CARELESSLY BUMPED INTO ME AND MY TRAY OF CARNITAS! AGH! IFFINESS! CRIME! That's when I truly, truly knew: Rogers Park is a dangerous, "iffy" place where deviance and dirt reign supreme. Taco supreme.

Here's the deal: You're going to have to get used to the fact that people have legitimate differences of opinion and different perspectives than you, and that such differences don't warrant hyperbolic, snarky, condescending responses if you're going to get along here. Otherwise, this forum is not for you and you might consider moving on.

[KevK]

Evanston has very high taxes because about 1/4th of the town is off the tax rolls due to the fact that Northwestern University has swallowed up almost all the prime lakefront real estate. They do not pay any taxes to the city but, while they do have their own police department, they do not hesitate to use other city services when they need them. This means that the other 3/4 of the city has to pay high taxes to make up for the loss.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by tragicandfancytoo

Okay fine, Rogers Park is the iffiest place on earth... So says people who were born there and lived there years and years and years ago. It totally HAS to be true then, right? Thanks for showing me the light, guys! I mean, I'm originally from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, so I eat "3 or 4 shootings" for breakfast. On a slow day. I guess my definition of "iffy" requires a little more spice. And by spice, I mean complete devastation, total abandonment, and utter blight. SO, the moral of the story, I guess, is this: Unless you want to get SHOT IN THE FACE all the time everyday, do NOT move to Evanston because there is some crime sometimes in the adjacent Chicago neighborhood of Rogers Park. Is that accurate? And people, I have my own personal wounds as a result of the "iffy" in RP... Barely 12 hours ago, I was at the Chipotle on horrible, iffy Sheridan Road, when a Loyola student CARELESSLY BUMPED INTO ME AND MY TRAY OF CARNITAS! AGH! IFFINESS! CRIME! That's when I truly, truly knew: Rogers Park is a dangerous, "iffy" place where deviance and dirt reign supreme. Taco supreme.

Evanston is actually safe because the bad part of Chicago north of Howard is effectively walled off by a cemetery that serves as a physical barrier between the city and Evanston (it is my view that the cemetary should be relocated so the LIVING can enjoy the lakefront). West Rogers Park is a good place and is safe and that part is only separated by Howard street to the west (it used to have a barrier down the middle of the street because the 50th Ward Alderman wanted to "wall off" Evanston but the courts ordered it removed).

[x-evanstonian]

Evanston has ALOT of racial tension. I grew up there and it had a very negative impact on me. I am less tolerant of people as a result of the atmosphere there.

[Calidreemer]

I lived in Evanston from the age of 5 until 24 when I moved out on my own. I lived in Skokie, West Rogers Park, Winnetka, and now live in Deerfield. I enjoyed growing up in Evanston because I had many friends from different races and religions which I really enjoyed. Evanston is very liberal in some ways and conservative in others. You could read the Pioneer Press (a local newspaper for the Northshore suburbs) on line and get to know Evanston and the surrounding communities a little better. It's called the Evanston Review by Pioneer Press.

There are many wonderful amenities in Evanston and many people come and stay. Kind of like that song Hotel California, you can check out but you can never leave. The parks and beaches are wonderful as are the many events held in the city. There are art fairs, parades and family oriented events such as the New Years Eve celebration called 1st Night. Evanston residents can buy beach tokens for the summer season and non residents can pay a daily fee which is usually quite high. I think a couple of years ago it was $7 or $8 per person per day. The life guards do go person to person asking for a token or daily fee when the beach opens.

You will also have excellent public transportation including buses, the elevated train ("The L") or the Metra (much nicer with bathrooms and air conditioning in summer) to take you where you need to go. Evanston is also a short drive or train ride into Chicago with all of the museums and night life. There are two hospitals to choose from and many satalite clinics and doctors offices. Evanston Northwestern Health Care is the hospital most used within and outside of the community.

My parents and my sister still live in Evanston, and they groan about the taxes, parking and other issues. I used to work as a Social Worker in Evanston and I can't say that I always heard good things about the schools and the services offered (from parents and teachers). The high school seems to have more incidences of teen pregnancy, gangs and truancy then when I attended (82-86). I also recall my parents advocating hard to get the appropriate services for my sister who is hearing impaired and my brother who is LD. They could never get the SE department to get away from their cookie cutter services. They wound up paying out of pocket for private services through Northwestern. If I were a parent, I don't think I would want my child to attend the high school. I am sure other people would say the opposite, so you will have to make up your own mind.

As far as housing costs, I would be surprised, even in todays market, if you would be able to find the kind of house you want in the $300,000 range. The kind of house you are talking about in a decent neighborhood would most likely be in the $600,000 - $850,000 range. You might want to consider other communities like Wilmette (great schools) and north - the suburbs on the lake going North are Evanston, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Lake Forest and Lake Bluff to give yourselves more options. I would even suggest Northfield which is just West of Winnetka. You might find a deal there. These communities are pricey, but very charming with old trees and people who care about their property and their neighbors. They also hold their value very well. Evanston is probably the most diverse and unique of these communities.

As for Oak Park, I am not a city person so I prefer Evanston to Oak Park. Many people say these two communities are very similar. I prefer Evanston because of the lake access and the surrounding communities.

I think your best bet is to visit and see what you think. See what you can get for your money. Only you will know what works best for you and your family. Any move involves risk. The nice thing is you can always change your mind and try something else. Best of luck to you.

[brenty]

I have been living in Evanston since November. I really like the area. It acts like a bridge between Chicago and the suburbs to the North. It is what I would call 'urburban'.

Evanston's town center is very nice and active. There are many high-rise condominium's and five high-rise office buildings. Evanston's town center has many shops. They are nice mid-range shops like, Pier1 Imports, Levi's Store, and Ann Taylor Loft. There are still some locally owned businesses but many have moved away. There are two nice mom & pop shopping areas. Central Street is very high end and is almost all locally owned businesses and Main-Chicago which is middle range locally owned businesses.

If Characture is high on your list, you will love Evanston. Evanston has many beautiful homes, streets, trees, parks, beaches, and buildings. Evanston had a few brick paved streets in the northeastern section. Evanston's streetlights are very interesting and were designed by Tallmadge & Watson. Evanston has a nice town center, which we call Downtown Evanston. There are some nice restaurants, cafes, and shops. Downtown Evanston has quite a few high-rise condominium buildings. New residents and I love the high-rises because they provide a nice contrast between the typical street car suburban Evanston neighborhoods. Many past residents hate them because they do bring some traffic into the community.

There are many cultural opportunities in Evanston. Evanston is home to Northwestern University which has extensive programs for local adults and children. Northwestern has a beautiful lakefront campus that is open to the public. There are lakefront playing fields and bike paths. Evanston Township High School also have some nice programs. I have an older neighbor who visits the Levy Senior Center every week.

Evanston taxes are extraordinary. My taxes are quite high. My home was close to $500,000. I have a renovated 4 bedroom 2.5 bath in Southern Evanston on Asbury. It is a very nice historic neighborhood. We are close to an Elementary and Middle School.

Many people say Evanston has a lor of racial diversity. I really disagree. Evanston's Southeastern, Eastern, Northeastern, and Northwest sections are close to being a White and Asian. Evanston's Western, and Southwestern areas are mostly Black and Hispanic. I live in a neighborhood that is mostly white and between Eastern and Western Evanston. Evanston does seem to have some racial tension in the school system. There is also a large gap in incomes here. The White and Asian areas tend to be of the Upper Middle and Upper Class. While the Black and Hispanic are of the Middle to Lower Classes.

Evanston is a large suburb so the town as a whole rarely gets to gather. Evanston, like Chicago is a community of neighborhoods. The neighborhoods vary greatly in demographics, incomes, and style. Evanston's neighborhoods are very tight knit. In fact the wealthier neighborhoods tend to be less tight knit.

Evanston has been a Tree City USA for close to 30 years. We have an extensive tree canopy as with most of the Northern Suburbs. Evanston has an extensive Forestry Department that constults you on tree care and maintains trees on parkways, treelawns, and in parks.

There are 4 major parking garages in the Downtown area. There are also several smaller public garages and parking lots in some of the newer buildings and in the alleys behind shops. Many of the Vintage Condominium and Apartment buildings do not offer off-street parking. Sometimes you can purchase parking spaces for $15,000 to $25,000. The newer condominiums and apartments (built after 1960) have garage or parking spaces usually included for free.

I right now have to commute to Schaumburg from Evanston, which takes me about 60 minutes. Evanston is within 40 minutes of the rest of the Northern Suburbs near the lake. Evanston is about 45 minutes from Downtown Chicago by car and 25 to 35 minutes by train.

$500,000 gives you a variety of different options. You could have a newer construction condominium in downtown. Maybe a smaller or older home in Northwest Evanston or in my neighborhood around Asbury, Ridge, and Dempster. It really depends on what you want.

[tragicandfancytoo]

Originally Posted by Drover

Here's the deal: You're going to have to get used to the fact that people have legitimate differences of opinion and different perspectives than you, and that such differences don't warrant hyperbolic, snarky, condescending responses if you're going to get along here. Otherwise, this forum is not for you and you might consider moving on.

Here's the deal? Are you serious? You are majestic. Utterly majestic. Are you some kind of cheesy online forum mover and shaker? Totally majestic and amazing. I'm really impressed by your pomp and regal pizazz as grand wizard of sad online discussion groups or whatever but nevertheless, I think I'm going to continue with the snarky, condescending bit. But thanks for the "consider moving on" suggestion. What what ? Huh huh? EVANSTON/ROGERS PARK UPDATE 2008: Yup, still haven't been shot or robbed but I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. Wink wink. Sigh.

Enjoy Barrington, lame-o's.

[aragx6]

Thank you for dragging up a four-month old thread to share nothing worthwhile.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by tragicandfancytoo

Here's the deal? Are you serious? You are majestic. Utterly majestic. Are you some kind of cheesy online forum mover and shaker? Totally majestic and amazing. I'm really impressed by your pomp and regal pizazz as grand wizard of sad online discussion groups or whatever but nevertheless, I think I'm going to continue with the snarky, condescending bit. But thanks for the "consider moving on" suggestion. What what ? Huh huh? EVANSTON/ROGERS PARK UPDATE 2008: Yup, still haven't been shot or robbed but I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. Wink wink. Sigh.

Enjoy Barrington, lame-o's.

Dude, not cool. Drover (who lives in Chicago and knows what he's talking about) is right. Your words will carry a lot more weight if you lose the attitude.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by aragx6

Thank you for dragging up a four-month old thread to share nothing worthwhile.

Well, the sarcastic use of "majestic" was kind of worthwhile. I may pick that one up for personal use...