Thinking of a move from L.A. to Chicago... (Evanston: home, purchase)

[310man]

I did some of my own research and here's what I found. Feedback on any of the listings is appreciated.

Single Family Home - 2237 KENILWORTH AVE, WILMETTE, IL, 60091 - Realtor.com
I like this one a lot, but don't know the area: Single Family Home - 3914 N MARSHFIELD AVE, CHICAGO, IL, 60613 - Realtor.com
Single Family Home - 2424 PAYNE ST, EVANSTON, IL, 60201 - Realtor.com
This is very close to the lake: Single Family Home - 2024 ORRINGTON AV, Evanston, IL, 60201 - Realtor.com
Really like this one as well: Single Family Home - 2713 N MAGNOLIA AVE, CHICAGO, IL, 60614 - Realtor.com
Single Family Home - 3838 N GREENVIEW AVE, CHICAGO, IL, 60613 - Realtor.com

Plenty of others I like as well, but there are lots of listings and I'm too tired to search them right now.

[310man]

I've been looking at a couple more listings and it seems as though there are lots of homes for sale that I like in Wilmette near Indian Hills Club and in Wilmette very close to the lake. Is there something wrong with this area? Boring? Crime? Bad schools? I'm just wondering why so many homes are for sale in the same area.

[Avengerfire]

Wilmette. Boring: hell YES. Crime: is not a problem for the most part. Schools:as far as I know pretty good.

[Avengerfire]

I would go with the Marshfield or Greenview in Chicago-and you can probably get them for a 100 or less if not more. I think both are very overpriced.

Only problem might be the schools...If you can afford private that might be the way to go. Otherwise you have to sacrifice some things and go for Wilmette.

Each choice requires a sacrifice.

No burb or neighborhood is perfect. It all depends on what is more important for you and your family.

[310man]

I think I'll stick with Wilmette then. I went to a private school when I was little and hated it. I found it quite similar to Communism. Those were three of the worst years of my childhood and I don't want my children to experience the hell of private schools. I find public schools do provide a better learning experience for the real world with their larger classes, more diverse student body, and more laid back (compared to uptight and proper private schools).

How boring is it? Can I at least stay in Wilmette if I were to go out to dinner with my family, to the movies, or just to get a little gift for someone or would I have to go to another city?

[Drover]

Originally Posted by 310man

I think I'll stick with Wilmette then. I went to a private school when I was little and hated it. I found it quite similar to Communism. Those were three of the worst years of my childhood and I don't want my children to experience the hell of private schools. I find public schools do provide a better learning experience for the real world with their larger classes, more diverse student body, and more laid back (compared to uptight and proper private schools).

Wow, you sure do like to paint all private schools with an incredibly broad brush based on your personal experiences, as if there is no difference whatsoever from one to the next. Good luck finding a "more diverse student body" and a more laid-back atmosphere at lilly-white New Trier High School (where Wilmette kids go), complete with its astronomy club and rugby club science team and in-school radio station. I doubt you'd be able to tell the difference between it and the top private schools in the area. College recruiters from elite campuses can't tell the difference. And if you think you won't find diversity in private schools, step foot into just about any Catholic school in the city. It's not exactly a sea of white faces.

[laviachi]

I'm getting confused by what you are really looking for -- Manhattan Beach, West Hollywood, Santa Monica. Old Town Pasadena. I am familiar with all the areas you mention here and know Chicago. It is very hard to compare LA to Chicago -- they are like night & day. West Hollywood is somewhat similar to certain city neighborhoods with diversity -- gay, straight, urban professionals, etc. Also, Old Town Pasadena is somewhat similar -- older architecture with retail and walkable. Manhattan Beach & Santa Monica are on the ocean and very pricey, in general less diverse -- were small beach towns that became more populated, higher income, given the Pacific Ocean/year around 70 degree beach living and are also tourist magnets. What Chicago still offers is a sense of neighborhood, more of a vibrant street life and connected as an area including good public transit vs LA. Wilmette, parts of Evanston and the North Shore are wealthy enclaves right near the lake -- more somewhat like Beverly Hills/Hanchock Park but nicer, less crazy and good schools. It seems like Wilmette may be what you really are looking for?

[mel2000]

I think you should visit Chicago for 2 weeks in January before making your final decision.

[mel2000]

Keep in mind that some older homes are drafty and will have high heating bills unless there has been updated insulation.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by 310man

I think I'll stick with Wilmette then. I went to a private school when I was little and hated it. I found it quite similar to Communism. Those were three of the worst years of my childhood and I don't want my children to experience the hell of private schools. I find public schools do provide a better learning experience for the real world with their larger classes, more diverse student body, and more laid back (compared to uptight and proper private schools).

How boring is it? Can I at least stay in Wilmette if I were to go out to dinner with my family, to the movies, or just to get a little gift for someone or would I have to go to another city?

Do you really want to be in the suburbs? Wilmette is a boring North Shore suburb. It's suburban in every sense of the word. The schools are awesome, however. I personally think you'd like Evanston better, though the schools are a little bit worse there because there are actually kids in poverty in a couple of pockets of Evanston. Oak Park has better schools than Evanston and slightly lower crime, but is further from the lake and right next to a huge ghetto. I mention Oak Park and Evanston because they are walkable and have urban characteristics like walkable commercial districts, nice restaurants, and shopping. Most people in Wilmette will go to Evanston to go out for dinner or to go to a movie.

In terms of the city, there are some really progressive and interesting private schools in Chicago. Francis Parker, the British School, or the Lycee de Francais for instance. However, many of these schools cost more than $20,000/year. Also, the Bell School (North Center) and Nettlehorst School (East Lakeview) are good neighborhood public schools in the city (if you live in the attendance boundaries, you are guaranteed a spot). Lincoln Park also has some decent public elemetary schools.