Apartments near but not in North Chicago? (Waukegan, Glenview: real estate, apartment complexes)

[drtea]

I will be relocating this summer to the North Chicago area from Las Vegas, Nevada for medical school.

Almost all the apartments I've come across are in Waukegan...and the general consensus around here seems to be to avoid Waukegan and North Chicago =/

My questions are:: What areas could I live in with still having a reasonable commute? Are there any areas/apartment complexes in Waukegan that aren't scary?

I'm also wondering about Gurnee, and if it is any better than Waukegan?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[LIS123]

Have you thought about living in campus? The school has nice dorms.

Waukegan is not that far. There are some nice apt complexes in Waukegan. Living in one of those complexes should be safe. Can't recall the names; one of them has 'crossings' in it (maybe Northern Crossings).

Gurnee is further RFUMS than Waukegan. It's nicer than W on average, but the extra commute time might not be worth it, especially when Winter rolls around. There are a couple apt. buildings just South and West of the school in Lake Bluff. They're very close, but the rent is likely to be higher. I think one is called Deer Valley; there's more than just one, though.

[drtea]

yes, campus housing is full with a waitlist - and i am not moving alone or with another med student...therefore we are looking for other options.

living south of n. chicago would actually be better for us, as my fiance will be attending school in the northern part of the city....

thanks for the info...i'm having a very hard time figuring out where to plant myself for the next year

[LIS123]

North Chicago and the North side of Chicago aren't that close, so tt's tough to find a place that's a compromise. The area just South of Lake Bluff (Lake Forest, then Highland Park) doesn't have as many apts and is very expensive. Deerfield, Northbrook or Glenview could be considered.

Definitely do not live anywhere North of the school (this includes Waukegan and Gurnee), or your fiance will have too long a commute.

[code10t]

You might be OK if you are in the far west parts of North Chicago and Waukegan near Green Oaks and Gurnee (maybe look near Delany Rd, I know there are some apartment complexes along there in Waukegan). I would stay away from downtown/eastern North Chicago and Waukegan given the choice.

Gurnee is generally a nice area (more upscale residential community for people working in North Chicago and Waukegan) and offers a fairly easy commute to North Chicago. There are a few pockets that it might be best to avoid in the eastern sections near Waukegan if you can, but the area is good on the whole.

I would also look in Libertyville. That's a nice area with affordable real estate, making me think that renting may also be reasonable. It's just west of the medical school, no farther a commute than Gurnee. Vernon Hills is another option, as that would also put you a little closer to Chicago than Waukegan or Gurnee.