Where would you live - commute to edgewater (Evanston, Skokie: violent crime, houses)

[eatscake]

Where would you live if you commuted to edgewater, your spouse commuted to the loop and you had the following wants:


3/2 house 1400+ sqft - for the most part move in ready
425k house budget
good K-12 public schools
35 min max commute
nice parks, park district and other amenities for young children
safe location


I can look at a map and see which towns are nearby but I guess I'm interested in seeing is there is a favorite amongst the group. Especially since some of the towns don't really seem to be discussed much on this forum.

[chet everett]

Probably target Niles or Skokie. If you get lucky maybe something in Northfield. Move in ready in Wilmette is not going to happen at that price unless location is very compromised. Probably the same in Evanston...

[eatscake]

Do you think one town any better than the other? and for what reasons? Are there a lot of young families in either of these two cities? Niles and Skokie don't seem to be spoken much about on this forum. At least that how it appeared when I searched

[MillennialUrbanist]

I recommend Skokie. It has the Yellow Line, which lets you commute straight into Edgewater, with a transfer at Howard to the Red Line. The total commute is 30 minutes, plus the drive to the Yellow Line (if needed) and the wait at Howard.

Don't know much about houses, but the housing stock is expensive and on the older side. Your budget should be OK.

Skokie is split evenly between Niles North High School and Niles West High School. Both are middle-of-the-road, but used to be better in the past. No clue about younger grades.

Parks are very good: two outdoor swimming pools, multiple sports facilities, and a nature center. Also easy access to Cook County Forest Preserves.

Safety is meh. Your best bet is to stay west of Crawford Ave. It gets a bit sketchy near the Evanston border. (McCormick Ave.)

I don't recommend Niles at all. From what I heard dark-humored people say, Niles's population consists mainly of schoolkids and senior citizens. It's a safer suburb, I'll give it that, but your kid(s) will be bored silly. Most young people bolt out after finishing high school. Plus, the drive to the Yellow Line will be a lot longer.

[847mom]

I just want to say that it does not get sketchy in all of the area is Skokie east of Crawford. Lol, the area of Skokie, fondly known as Skevanston is actually one of the very nicest parts of Skokie. The streets east of Crawford are quite nice and pretty expensive and would compare to Northwest Evanston or Central to east Wilmette. Most would be over that price range anyways, but there are some smaller homes that might be in that range and they are not sketchy. You get ETHS which is a better ranking school than both Skokie high schools. Most parts of Skokie are pretty safe, but it is not a homogenous far flung suburb. You would use street smarts and common sense like anyone who lives in a more inner ring suburb.

[MillennialUrbanist]

Originally Posted by 847mom

I just want to say that it does not get sketchy in all of the area is Skokie east of Crawford. Lol, the area of Skokie, fondly known as Skevanston is actually one of the very nicest parts of Skokie.

Well, you might be right, for all I know. But I also heard that part of Skokie referred to as Skompton (from Compton, CA). So just saying.

[4122]

Originally Posted by 847mom

I just want to say that it does not get sketchy in all of the area is Skokie east of Crawford. Lol, the area of Skokie, fondly known as Skevanston is actually one of the very nicest parts of Skokie. The streets east of Crawford are quite nice and pretty expensive and would compare to Northwest Evanston or Central to east Wilmette. Most would be over that price range anyways, but there are some smaller homes that might be in that range and they are not sketchy. You get ETHS which is a better ranking school than both Skokie high schools. Most parts of Skokie are pretty safe, but it is not a homogenous far flung suburb. You would use street smarts and common sense like anyone who lives in a more inner ring suburb.

It depends on where. The Northern Skokie-Evanston border is very nice. However, when you get to the parts near Evanston's bad area (near ETHS), that's where it's sketchy. Skokie Would be a good option. Niles too, the only drawback is no train and it's further. It's literally the next town over, so it won't be that big of a deal. Everywhere else within a 35 minute commute is too expensive, except Morton Grove.

[damba]

Originally Posted by MillennialUrbanist

Well, you might be right, for all I know. But I also heard that part of Skokie referred to as Skompton (from Compton, CA). So just saying.

LOL You are obviously unfamiliar with the specific area in question.

[damba]

Originally Posted by eatscake

Do you think one town any better than the other? and for what reasons? Are there a lot of young families in either of these two cities? Niles and Skokie don't seem to be spoken much about on this forum. At least that how it appeared when I searched

Skokie FTW.

You could live walking distance to the yellow line, easy access to several parks and the Edens expwy here:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/5...7/3533243_zpid

[nana053]

Originally Posted by MillennialUrbanist

Well, you might be right, for all I know. But I also heard that part of Skokie referred to as Skompton (from Compton, CA). So just saying.

I have no idea what you are trying to imply. I lived on Drake (so east of Crawford) near Dempster and it was a very nice area.

The crime map shows the least safe area of Skokie to be over by Harms Road - west of Crawford, but even that is not really unsafe. The crime is more property crime than violent crime.

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