young professional singles gurnee vs vernon hills (Chicago, Waukegan: apartment complexes, houses)

[maxandmisty]

Anyone have any thoughts on preferences between these two communities for a single young professional?

[LIS123]

I'm not too familiar with the Northern suburbs, but would imagine that Vernon Hills would be a much better bet than Gurnee. Besides asking which of the two towns is better than the other in this regard, you may want to ask first if either town is the right place for a person like yourself. I'm not sure how lively the singles scene is in either place.e They're both quite far from the city proper.

[chet everett]

You might also look for something in Libertyville, which is between the two towns. Gurnee has a very large very non-localish mall and associated strip centers, but some of the housing east, near the 'old' town center are much more appealing to singles, as are a few areas to the SW.

Vernon Hills is in general a nicer town, but for singles it cannot compare to Libertyville. Vernon Hills has lots of strip malls and boring enclosed mall, while Libertyville has a much more vibrant core downtown with some nicer places to hang out, have a beer or glass of wine.

[Drover]

Six of one. Half-dozen of the other. Move to whichever has the house you like the most.

[chet everett]

While I sorta do agree with what Drover is saying, I did live in Libertyville and it IS a different experience than living in Gurnee or Vernon Hills, where I had friends live and we would 'compare notes' on a variety of things.
Just as there are promoters of various Chicago neighborhoods the ability to walk to a spot to grab a sandwich and a beer after work may tip things toward Libertyville. Vernon Hills is pretty much 100% drive everywhere. Most of Gurnee is that way too. Even little things like getting to know your postman is something that you can do in the portions of Libertyville is a nice plus for the sections of town where they still CARRY mail in a big pouch instead having faceless deliveries to the rural mailbox or the mystery of large apartment complexes where everything is locked away.

Ultimately the choice is probably over where your dollar goes the furthest/what is a priority to you, but there are real differences.

[dc1225]

Originally Posted by Drover

Six of one. Half-dozen of the other. Move to whichever has the house you like the most.

I concur!

[CrazyJay]

I lived in Gurnee for a short while...

if you're young, stay the hell away from there..

SNOOOOOOOOZE FEST

I second libertyville

[maxandmisty]

Thanks for the input.....I will be working in Waukegan/North Chicago so vernon hills/gurnee/libertyville seemed most realistic. I thought about Lake Bluff too.....

[CoolerByTheLake]

MHO...

I would find something near the Metra lines because I'd guess that you'll probably want to go to Chicago more often than not. Gurnee is not walkable to any Metra and Vernon Hills has the North Central Metra which doesn't run that often.

Libertyville is good because the Milwaukee North runs all week early and late into Union Station and it actually has a downtown with the Metra stop and houses/apts close by with things to do (Starbucks, Mickey Finn's, Liberty Theatre, etc.) without requiring driving.

If you're working around Waukegan/N. Chicago, you could also find something along the Metra Union Pacific line which runs as often as the Milwaukee North to Chicago and has multiple North Side stops going into Ogilvie. It (may) also be walkable to your work site which you could even live in the city if you wanted and take the train. If you like Lake Bluff, then I'd say go for that (don't know much about LB), but anything along the North Shore is obviously $$$$.

[lakecountylifer]

Libertyville is ok but is extremely congested in the downtown area. Also, people are purchasing homes for 400k which are really tear down candidates if located in Deerfield, so be careful about paying to much to live in Libertyville. (By the way, who gives a rip about how your mail is delivered?)

Ok Vernon Hills has more upscale retail but the housing area seems to be an after thought. There really is no feel of community in VH. Gurnee has more of a community feel with an actual village center, des plaines river trail system, excellent parks from the park district and the warren township center park. In Gurnee you can get relatively newer construction homes at more reasonable prices. I think the only sacrafice in Gurnee is dealing with all the tourists.....but yet those tourists generate enough tax revenue to off set your property tax and not have to pay for a vehicle sticker.