Please compare and contrast: Glenview, Northbrook, Wilmette, etc... (Chicago, Skokie: home, neighborhoods)

[geoc]

I live on the north side of Chicago and am planning a move to one of these suburbs. I'm trying to gather information to make the best decision on an area. I notice prices seem to be a little lower as you get farther away from the city. I really like some of the lush areas of Wilmette...but home prices there are very high. How do the following N and NW suburbs compare?

Wilmette, Glenview, Northbrook, Northfield, Winnetka

Any perspectives would be welcome.

Thanks very much!

[chet everett]

I do NOT agree that the price and distance are directly related. In my experience there are many more of the expensive properties in Winnetka than in Wilmette. Wilmette tends to be a bit more "cramped" in both lot size, home size, and even the train...

Glenview got a BIG boost from the redevelopment of the Naval Air Station, that boost also fueled more tear downs, as opposed to more renovations and such in Northbrook.

Northfield used to be a much bigger 'step down' from its neighbors, it is still not "uppercrust" but it no longer the "wrong kind of people".

Hierarchy is pretty basic: Winnetka trumps Wilmette, either trump Northbrook or Glenview, all four trump Northfield. Ideally you can find a place that you can afford and are happy with its age, size & condition in Winnetka. If you search turns up a gem in Wilmette just remember that a 2.0 carat diamond sparkles just a brightly as one that is 2.5 carats. If you head out to Northbrook or Glenview you are still in that very sparkly 1.95 / 1.89 carat range. Even Northfield is still a nice sparkly 1.25/1.50 carat diamond that many many many people will envy.

(btw If you can do the digging and pull off a move to Kenliworth or Glencoe, you are really in the rare 3+ carat range...)

[Paige65]

I like Wilmette and Winnetka best. All are nice suburbs. Northfield seems like an extension of Northbrook to me. Northbrook and Glenview are more typical, large suburbs with more subdivisions (virtually non-existant in Wilmette and Winnetka) and such. Both Northbrook and Northfield have grid patterns in their downtown areas (both have decent little downtowns).

My preference is Wilmette and Winnetka for lake access, grid patterns, easy walk to transportation for most except the far west areas, less traffic.

Again, all are nice suburbs with good quality schools as well.

[cubssoxfan]

Just a note. A small section of Wilmette bordering Skokie goes to Niles North, not New Trier. NN is good school, New Trier is better and the home price will reflect that. Parts of Western Glenview go to Maine Twnshp not New Trier. Again, New Trier is more desirable.

[Paige65]

Originally Posted by cubssoxfan

Just a note. A small section of Wilmette bordering Skokie goes to Niles North, not New Trier. NN is good school, New Trier is better and the home price will reflect that. Parts of Western Glenview go to Maine Twnshp not New Trier. Again, New Trier is more desirable.

Good point. Though, I think only a very small portion of east Glenview is in the New Trier boundary. Somewhere east of Harms Road? Most all of Glenview goes to Glenbrook South.

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by Paige65

Good point. Though, I think only a very small portion of east Glenview is in the New Trier boundary. Somewhere east of Harms Road? Most all of Glenview goes to Glenbrook South.

Good point, forgot about Glenbrook.

[STL Mom]

I looked at Wilmette and Winnetka because my husband wanted to be able to walk to the train, and I wanted to be able to walk my kids to school and to the library, and be able to run many of my errands on foot or on my bike. I can walk to get my hair cut, buy treats for the dog, take my kids to their doctor, or even to see a movie, and that's what I wanted. We still have to drive to get to swimming lessons, art classes, Target, etc.
Northfield, Glenview, and Northbrook have some great-looking neighborhoods, but they seem to mostly be more suburban, and you'll be jumping in your car to go to most activities. On the other hand, you can get a bigger lot, and a two- or even three-car garage.

[cubssoxfan]

Both Glenview and Northbrook have neighborhoods close to Metra and walkable downtown areas . It is a different line than the one serving Wilmette and Winnetka.

[Sarah H.]

I think the suburbs that boarder the lake feel more like small towns (like the grid pattern Paige65 mentioned), while those further out look like typical (but affluent) suburbs. Nothing wrong with either, it's just a matter of your preference, your housing needs and price range.

[Bongu]

The next suburb N of Glencoe is Highland Park and the next suburb N of Northbrook is Deerfield. Both mean an extra 10 minute drive to the city but also have a lot to offer. HP like Glencoe/Kennil/Winnetka/Wilmette has the Lake and Deerfield like Northbrook has more subdivisions and wooded areas. Both are worth considering as well.