Where to live in Evanston (Chicago: apartment, condo, crime)

[freesprt22]

Hello. I am relocating to Evanston (IL) in December and want to buy a townhouse/condo. I've noticed a HUGE difference in price between the NE (near Northwestern) and further south and west. I also hear (from sources maybe not reliable) that it is advisable to avoid the St. Francis Hospital area. Why? What are some recommended boundaries to avoid (if any) and why? Thanks, sorry for so many questions!

[adele115]

Originally Posted by freesprt22

Hello. I am relocating to Evanston (IL) in December and want to buy a townhouse/condo. I've noticed a HUGE difference in price between the NE (near Northwestern) and further south and west. I also hear (from sources maybe not reliable) that it is advisable to avoid the St. Francis Hospital area. Why? What are some recommended boundaries to avoid (if any) and why? Thanks, sorry for so many questions!

If you run a search for Evanston you will find a lot of commentary that will answer your questions.

[dmcsherlock]

I'll be glad to help you. The elite Northwestern University and Lake Michigan make downtown and north Evanston a beautiful place, with lots of cultural activities, churches, interesting shops and gorgeous old houses. Some time ago, however, criminal elements from Chicago moved north into south Evanston, bringing grief and trouble to neighborhoods and schools. St. Francis Hospital is south, which is probably what your sources are trying to tell you without being politically incorrect. I don't know the exact cut-off street but it's probably close to Dempster running East-West south of downtown. Housing and apartment prices will reflect this - if you find a deal that's too good to be true, you may want to move along. Sadly, many great old houses are in the path of or surrounded by criminal elements.

[Calidreemer]

There are lots of threads about Evanston in this forum - I agree with adele that searching for those threads will provide you with a wealth of information. You may also want to check out the Evanston Police Departments information about crime in the Evanston wards and you will probably be able to make up your own mind about where you would be comfortable living.