Evanston vs. New Trier (Chicago, Waukegan: high crime, buying a house, buying)

[aragx6]

So Shaumburg isn't really what this thread is about- if you all want to debate it and its merits start a thread about it.

Does anyone else have anything to say along the Evanston/NT lines?

[Ophidian14]

Originally Posted by Humboldt1

Ophidian for the record I go to church every sunday and have since I was a little boy so your assumption that I don't go is way offbase.

No, I assumed *correctly* that you don't go to Harvest, because you stated that people at Harvest "disdain black [or] poor people", which is not the case.

[Humboldt1]

If you want to live in a brick-fronted 3500 sq ft house with siding that goes for 450M and work for Motorola while your spouse works some other office job and raise 2-3 kids with a SUV (why not just break down and get the minivan, much more practical), and go to church at either Harvest or Willow Creek and talk amongst your white friends about how you disdain black and poor people and then go watch shows at the Improv then Schaumburg may be the place for you.

This is what I said. I did not say or imply that people who go to church at Harvest or Willow or any church for that matter are racists, though clearly there are people who go to church and are racists. Going to church and being a racist are not related. I do, however, know a number of people who talk secretly amongst their white friends about black people who I have seen in services at Willow. These "closet racists" are not just in Schaumburg but most communities in the US, not just Chicago. The people who laugh at black jokes and claim not to be racist but don't feel comfortable with their daughter dating a black man. Even my father, a cattle farmer from Indiana, didn't care who I dated so long as they were good people, though he did explain others might not be so understanding of a mixed race relationship.

I will grant you that there are much worse places to live than Schaumburg and that the schools are pretty good. But, don't misquote me. I at least afford you that respect.

I have never attended Harvest though I have attended Willow. I assume by your strong response that you attend Harvest or have friends who do (I do too btw). That church is too conservative for me, supporting creationism being taught in the schools and women being subservient to men.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by LakeShoreSoxGo

Schaumburg isn't that bad. Way too much hype against it. You talk about it like its Berwyn or somthing.

Berwyn isn't that bad either. You talk about it like it's Cicero or something.

The next tier down would be Cicero to Maywood...

Actually, Berwyn has a lower crime rate that Schaumburg, which many people may find surprising.

[GoCUBS1]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Berwyn isn't that bad either. You talk about it like it's Cicero or something.

The next tier down would be Cicero to Maywood...

Actually, Berwyn has a lower crime rate that Schaumburg, which many people may find surprising.

Plus, Berwyn has Svenghoolie. How can you not love him?

[susancruzs]

People, people, people New Trier vs. Evanston has nothing to do with Schaumburg.

I was reading this because my dear old dad went to New Trier and my sisters to Evanston. Our house was always the great debate and my dad used to go to games with them to continue the rivalry! Just think he graduated in 1933!

[LakeShoreSoxGo]

See humboldt, the problem is your origional post..where you try to paint a picture of Schaumburg being some place void of anything worth while. You claimed the place had no venues worth going to, despite 15-20 different bars and or dance clubs in the town.

You make some bizzarre generalization about going to a church, hating black people, and going to a comedey club, as if there are not people in Chicago who do the same thing (Chicago probably has 20 times as many people who do that).


It is clear you have some urban poineer high horse that you think you are justified in sitting on. That's fine, but don't sit here and demonize people for wanting to live in an economically well rounded suburb that has amenities that are pretty much surpassed only by Naperville. Did the thought ever occur to you that people just might want to live in a suburb they work in, with decent schools(your attempt to marginalize the top performing schools by comparing them to the small number of out of county schools that out perform them is laughable), safe streets, and decent neighbors?

[aragx6]

Hello? Anybody out there? Maybe I'm invisible, but this time I'm serious.

Off the Schaumburg kick or I'm going to close this thread.

I would have already, but I found the original topic interesting and would like to see it continue if anyone had anything worth adding.

[GoCUBS1]

Ok, I'll try to bring this thread back on-topic (since I played a part on taking it off-topic). I have also looked at these 2 districts (talked to parents, researched test scores, etc.). Here is my impression (I do not live there so please correct me if necessary):

This is what I have heard:

New Trier - School has a history of excellence but is resting on it's laurels and is on the downslide (have heard this about teacher quality and administration). Depending on what data you use, NT has been outperformed by 2 top CPS schools, Stevenson and possibly other suburban schools (like Deerfield/Highland Park). I think it was the U.S. News rankings that showed that the % of students taking AP courses is lower than other schools (like Stevenson). Thus, it is much more competitive to get an actual AP spot (as well as spots on sports teams) than in other top-tier schools. I've also heard that there are many Asian students who immigrate specifically to this district & displace locals for AP spots. I've heard that, compared to ETHS, the school has less diversity, a major drug problem and many socio/psychological problems (like teen "cutting").

Evanston - The school has great diversity but lower test scores/performance than NT. There is a perceived increase in gangs, violence, and racial tensions at this school. The school is located in a higher-crime area than NT. I've heard that the school is large, cold and uncaring. However, have also heard the kids are less sheltered and have less feeling of entitlement than NT kids. The school diversity (racial, economic, religious, etc.) is more reflective of society and provides more of a "real-world" education.

OK, are we back on topic now?

[Humboldt1]

I think it will just depend on what preferences you have whether you send your kids to Evanston or New Trier.

Both are good schools. Each has its own merits.

Evanston is more diverse and New Trier is more richy and has better test scores and less crime. Evanston is also less sheltered, less bubble-like.

Both schools knock the socks off of many other schools in the Chicago area.

My bad about talking some much about another northwest suburb. Good luck to all in where you choose to live.