Lincolnwood-possible happy medium? (Chicago, Evanston, Skokie: real estate, work, suburbs)

[mstengle]

This is a biggy and I need all the experts help on this one. My daughter currently lives in Forest Park, and works in Elk Grove Village. Boyfriend, future roommate, works in Lake Forest. Would you recommend Lincolnwood as a good compromise for each of their commutes (EGV, and Lake Forest?

Any better recommendations for future family building, close to the trains to city, "downtown" feeling with restaurants, like Forest Park or Oak Park?

Thanks!!! (He really likes suburbs - she likes "city") Need compromise!!!!

[chet everett]

Distance wise you are right on, but Lincolnwood is more suburb-like than just about any other town that close in...

[Lookout Kid]

If they can afford Lincolnwood they could look at Evanston as well. It offers a good city/suburb compromise. But I don't like that commute to Elk Grove Village. There's no great east/west artery going to and from Evanston. But Metra access to Lake Forest is a plus!

[Avengerfire]

As far as distance to the city,price and distance to trains,Morton Grove,Skokie,Niles as well as Lincolnwood are your best options in the near North and Northwest burbs of Chicago.

The thing is they do not have really exciting downtowns and a wealth of things to do in their downtown areas. But then again neither does Evanston really. Evanston has more things to do than the areas I mentioned, but it is not worth the price IMO.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

As far as distance to the city,price and distance to trains,Morton Grove,Skokie,Niles as well as Lincolnwood are your best options in the near North and Northwest burbs of Chicago.

The thing is they do not have really exciting downtowns and a wealth of things to do in their downtown areas. But then again neither does Evanston really. Evanston has more things to do than the areas I mentioned, but it is not worth the price IMO.

I think it is, when you take into account the cost of real estate on the North Side and other North Shore towns. Of course, you could argue that all of these areas are overpriced right now.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

I think it is, when you take into account the cost of real estate on the North Side and other North Shore towns. Of course, you could argue that all of these areas are overpriced right now.

The price of the towns north of Evanston are well worth it compared with the overbloated prices of Evanston. Evanston is a glorified Rogers Park-and I know Evanston existed long before Rogers Park. Half the town of Evanston is garbage.

IMO I would rather live in Rogers Park than Evanston. There is not much difference except for price.

Sounds crazy doesnt it? But I am being honest.

[mstengle]

What would be the easiest commute for her to Elk Grove Villiage? Looks like any where North will be an easy commute to Lake Forest, so that doesn't seem to be a problem! It seems EGV is hard to get to from any where!

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by mstengle

This is a biggy and I need all the experts help on this one. My daughter currently lives in Forest Park, and works in Elk Grove Village. Boyfriend, future roommate, works in Lake Forest. Would you recommend Lincolnwood as a good compromise for each of their commutes (EGV, and Lake Forest?

Any better recommendations for future family building, close to the trains to city, "downtown" feeling with restaurants, like Forest Park or Oak Park?

Thanks!!! (He really likes suburbs - she likes "city") Need compromise!!!!

Des Plaines and Park Ridge have a couple of the most useful downtowns, resturants, movies, library, shopping are all darned walkable. Easier to get to EGV from either too. Decent access to the tollway for Lake Forest. If schools are a (future) factor Park Ridge is a notch up fro Des Plaines...

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

The price of the towns north of Evanston are well worth it compared with the overbloated prices of Evanston. Evanston is a glorified Rogers Park-and I know Evanston existed long before Rogers Park. Half the town of Evanston is garbage.

IMO I would rather live in Rogers Park than Evanston. There is not much difference except for price.

Sounds crazy doesnt it? But I am being honest.

It sounds crazy because it is. But I agree that maybe a quarter of Evanston should be avoided.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by chet everett

Des Plaines and Park Ridge have a couple of the most useful downtowns, resturants, movies, library, shopping are all darned walkable. Easier to get to EGV from either too. Decent access to the tollway for Lake Forest. If schools are a (future) factor Park Ridge is a notch up fro Des Plaines...

I just recommended Park Ridge in another post, and think it could work for this couple too. "Uptown Park Ridge" (not be be confused with Chicago's Uptown neighborhood) is a nice little commercial strip that couldn't be found in Lincolnwood. And it seems like the commute could work in both directions.