Highland Park vs. Northbrook, Glencoe, or Wilmette (Lake Forest, Lincoln: houses, neighborhoods)

[rockycat]

I am in the process of relocating for my job from California to Illinois,and will be working out of Northfield. I've only been able to look at the surrounding areas of Northfield a couple of times and have decided that I like Highland Park. However, I have some co-workers that say we should try to move to Wilmette, Northbrook, or Glencoe for the schools. From what I've been able to tell - although Highland Park Highschool doesn't score as high as New Trier in Wilmette, it still does very well. Mind you, my children are only 2 and 4, but we are looking long-term. I found a house in the Ravinia section of Highland Park that I really like, while the houses that I looked at in Northbrook and Wilmette didn't really grab me (my max price is $700K). So, am I silly to want to live in Highland Park because I like the house there better- or should I move to Wilmette or Northbrook for the schools? By the way, it was important that we are close to downtowns (like the one in Highland Park), had access to lots of parks and in family friendly neighborhoods. Any insight to these towns would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[ITend2XL]

We also are looking to move to the area and will be settling in either Highland Park or Lake Forest. Having faced the same decision you are now considering, we were fine outside the New Trier school system because we've received a tremendous volume of input (including our Realtor)indicating that the environment there is so competitive that, unless your kids are at the very top of the achievement scale (academics AND sports!) , they might fall through the cracks and will most likely not make it into any team sports. That concerned us because our son (HS) gets good grades and is good at sports, but he is not uber competitive and right now is more into the "social scene", so relationship is equally important in the mix. As you indicate, HP (and LF also) has a VERY GOOD school system so it's not like your children will be cheated out of a great education. Being that your children are so young, it would give me some peace of mind to know that they won't be under so much pressure 'from the get-go', particularly because you still don't know what kind of students or athletes they will be. And again, it is not like you'll be subjecting them to a second rate education by any means, so I would 'buy the house I like' and feel it is a win-win for the whole family. So that's my two cents for whatever it's worth!

Good luck in your move and let us know how it turns out.

[Paige65]

The Highland Park school system is great. It really is. There are endless opportunities. If you moved to the house in the Ravinia neighborhood, your kids would be going to an excellent school, either Ravinia or Braeside elementary (on ISAT scores alone, they rank the same as any schools in Wilmette, Glencoe or Northbrook).

I did quick comparisons for you based on 2007 ISAT (state test) scores:

HP elementary schools in neighborhood you are considering:
Braeside ISAT 96
Ravinia ISAT 96
Edgewood middle school ISAT 96

Glencoe:
South ISAT 95
West ISAT 95
Central Middle school ISAT 95

Wilmette:
Central ISAT 96
Harper ISAT 98
McKenzie ISAT 96
Romona ISAT 90
Murphy Middle school 97
Highcrest Middle school ISAT 93
Wilmette Middle School ISAT 96

Northbrook:
Grove ISAT 90
Hickory Point ISAT 94
Greenbriar ISAT 95
Meadowbrook ISAT 96
Westmoor ISAT 96
Maple Middle school ISAT 96
Northbrook Jr. High ISAT 93
Field middle school ISAT 92
Wood Oaks junior high ISAT 96

In terms of HPHS state scores, they are going to be a bit lower overall because of the minority hispanic population. However, the education and opportunities are still excellent. If you look at the average ACT, I think it's very close to New Trier (last time I checked).

I've lived in the Ravinia area for 14 years and have children in the HP school system. I think it's a good one.

Good luck with your choice! All of these towns are good places to live.

In terms of family friendly, Ravinia area is definitely that. There are many young families because the homes are smaller and more "affordable". If you are considering living in the section of Ravinia that is between the train tracks as the east border and Green Bay Road as the west, that is teeming with young familes, parks, foot traffic, bike trail to downtown, etc. It's also a short walk to the beach from there as well (about ten minutes). If you are looking east of the train tracks, there are still many young families in that area as well. It's prettier there too and closer to the beach.

[Calidreemer]

All the communities you listed have a different feel to them even though they are close to each other. You should be able to find a comfortable house pretty much anywhere on the Northshore with your price point. Have you tried looking at the local community papers to see what goes on in each community? I always recommend this to people who want to know a little more about the area. If you go online to STNG and select the paper for the community you want to learn more about. All of these areas should have good schools and be close enough to the city by car or Metra. Paige gave you some great information on schools so hopefully that is reassuring. My sister lived in Ravinia and loved it. It's very cute. Good luck to you!

[outsider1]

Base your move solely on your preference for a house! Schools are very comparable in those four locations - in one word excellent.
As for the overall quality of life, Highland Park sure has an edge on other three.

[rockycat]

Thank you to all of you who responded to my inquiry! I appreciate the detailed information and insight that you shared with me. We actually made an offer over the weekend for the house in the Ravinia section of Highland Park and they accepted. So, if all goes smoothly, we are set to move from California out to the cold in Illinois in the beginning of April. I know the house is great for us, and as I do more research on the area, I learn more and more that there will be lots for my family to do. I feel great regarding the schools and we are all excited to get settled. I've visited the area about three times, and am going back this coming weekend for the inspection- so I'll start gathering local info for my family. Thanks again- you've all put me at ease!

[Paige65]

Originally Posted by rockycat

Thank you to all of you who responded to my inquiry! I appreciate the detailed information and insight that you shared with me. We actually made an offer over the weekend for the house in the Ravinia section of Highland Park and they accepted. So, if all goes smoothly, we are set to move from California out to the cold in Illinois in the beginning of April. I know the house is great for us, and as I do more research on the area, I learn more and more that there will be lots for my family to do. I feel great regarding the schools and we are all excited to get settled. I've visited the area about three times, and am going back this coming weekend for the inspection- so I'll start gathering local info for my family. Thanks again- you've all put me at ease!

Congratulations. I hope you enjoy it.

I know a lot about services that are offered for kids that are not yet in elementary school. There are several pre-school choices (with and without religious affiliations), park district programs, and drop in play programs for parents with young children (birth to age four). If you are interested in any of that, please let me know, either by private message or on this board, and I'm happy to help out.

April won't be so bad. It's probably the most "volatile" weather wise, with great swings in temperature, but you've missed the worst of it!

[Calidreemer]

That's great! I think you will like Ravinia. It is a very charming little area. The Ravinia BBQ is a nice little place for take out or eating in. Something reasonable and casual. It's on Roger Williams. There are lots of good things to do close by. Good luck with the inspection this weekend!

[rockycat]

Paige65- If you have any information on programs for little ones we would appreciate it. Our 4 year old daughter (well 4 in April) is currently enrolled in tap/ballet, & tumbling and both she and her 2 year old brother (well 2 in June) go to the weekly library programs. We would love to get them enrolled in something similar as soon as we get settled. We would also love to get our daughter enrolled in pre-school... I'm hoping we aren't too late to enroll for September... Thanks so much!

[diane3]

My two cents would be to look into Lincolnshire. It is pretty close to where you are looking and the houses are very nice and Stenson High School is a great school.