Lake Forest (Winnetka, Woodland, Lee: real estate, houses, private schools)

[skontoller]

Hi All,

I was curious about your thoughts on LF.

I have a few questions:

1. Is there an appreciable difference between East/West LF?

2. Relative to other North Shore communities does it's relative distance from the city hurt the ability to preserve the value of the homes?

3. Are there any undesirable parts of town one should avoid?

Thanks
SK

[chitown85]

Lake Forest is very affluent. West LF is likely less "expensive" due to it being farther from the Lake, however those homes are still much more expensive than you would find elsewhere. It is farther from the city than other North Shore communities. There is nowhere to avoid. It is one of the wealthiest municipalities in IL, if not the US. The area is well settled so I don't think the home values will decrease at all, nor increase rapidly. Probably a safe investment.

[hsw]

Eastern is notably preferable over W LF for a variety of reasons....proximity to Lk, more wooded terrain, "feel" of area, affluence of East vs West...relative land costs reveal much

Commute times are annoying vs Eastern Winnetka, but many of most affluent (and time-sensitive) in either place are financiers (and other workaholics) who arrive at offices in Loop by ~6AM, so drive time deltas are small, esp when one is on Bluetooth w/NYC and London during entire drive anyway...or are driven to/from office

LF's biggest (longstanding) risk is lack of competent public schools and lack of notable private schools; and biggest advantage over Eastern Winnetka is generally larger lot sizes for more elegantly situated houses

[chitown85]

Lake Forest Academy is a pretty highly ranked private school and LFHS is a pretty decent public school. Also remember Lake Forest College is there.

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by hsw

Eastern is notably preferable over W LF for a variety of reasons....proximity to Lk, more wooded terrain, "feel" of area, affluence of East vs West...relative land costs reveal much

Commute times are annoying vs Eastern Winnetka, but many of most affluent (and time-sensitive) in either place are financiers (and other workaholics) who arrive at offices in Loop by ~6AM, so drive time deltas are small, esp when one is on Bluetooth w/NYC and London during entire drive anyway...or are driven to/from office

LF's biggest (longstanding) risk is lack of competent public schools and lack of notable private schools; and biggest advantage over Eastern Winnetka is generally larger lot sizes for more elegantly situated houses

Lack of competent schools?! ARE YOU JOKING!? You may argue that they do not rank as highly as Winnetka Schools, but incompetent schools-PUHLEEZE!!

[sammy22]

You lost me with the lack of competent schools comment - what is this based on? Lake Forest has excellent schools, perhaps not at the New Trier or Stevenson level, but not that far off either, and LFHS is a more managable size. As far as notable private schools - Lake Forest Country Day and Lake Forest Academy are two outstanding private schools by any measure (albeit incredibly expensive).

[Mamama Mia]

The closer you are to the lake, the more expensive your real estate, the more desirable the area. Homes in the newer areas on the west side still sell for close to a million dollars.
Lake Forest public schools are excellent.

[Anthera]

Originally Posted by chitown85

Lake Forest Academy is a pretty highly ranked private school and LFHS is a pretty decent public school. Also remember Lake Forest College is there.

Not to mention Woodlands Academy and Lake Forest High School. The LF schools test slightly lower than NT, but as a NT resident I consider the LF schools to be our equal.

[skontoller]

How about LFCDS and LF Academy? I knew a few people in the NT district who sent their kids through this system. I've been told it's a a little smaller and can be more manageable than NT. I know it's private school and can cost 12-25k/ yr depending on the grade level but it is a viable option in the LF area. Any thoughts?

[Mamama Mia]

Lake Forest High School has a fine reputation as a public school and the students continue their education at reputable colleges and universities. Check out their site:
www.lfhs.org