Trying to find a nice community!

[trailerguy]

You can easily find a very nice house near the lake for $500-600K, but most of the northshore communities may be too sedate for you. Highland Park may fill the bill for you.

[Don Vito]

I live 200 yards from the lake. I don't recall a house ever being that cheap in this neck of the woods.

[Windy City John]

look in lakeview or oldtown

[60439]

I would recommend Lemont, IL. It offers great schools, wonderful access to expressways (55 and 355) and small town atmospere. You can get much more house for your money in Lemont and you have Cook County property taxes which are lower than surrounding counties. Down the street from me on Walter Street, you can buy a new 5/3.5 bath victorian with over 4500 square feet in the price range you mentioned. Plus in this neighborhood you can walk to the Metra station, shopping, restaurants, and the public library. Lemont is not as well known as many of the larger suburbs, but it is a hidden gem.

[jrsully5]

Originally Posted by Drover

How urban do you need? Have you considered Madison WI? It has a surprisingly urbane sense for a city of its size, though nobody will mistake it for Manhattan. Crime is also exceptionally low there. It also fits the "laid-back" criterion very well. It compares pretty well to Berkeley but the politics aren't as hyper and it has four seasons.

Madison is also on a beautiful lake, and is a college town so it's pretty "bumppin". Very liberal, if you like that. Easy access right off 90, and about 2 hours and 20 min from Chicago.... if you still want to be within a weekend trip to all that Chicago has to offer. That driving time of course does not include heavy traffic times.

[Windy City John]

Revamp your thinking --based on your demos and your price range-- checkout a condo/townhome in Lincoln Park, Old Town, or Lakeview

[Paige65]

Originally Posted by Don Vito

I live 200 yards from the lake. I don't recall a house ever being that cheap in this neck of the woods.

Well, if you're 200 yards from the lake you wouldn't find that! But there are homes within walking distance (ten minute or less walk) to the lake in Lake Forest, Lake Bluff and Highland Park that are in the $600,000 range. Most likely in the range of only 1400-2000 sq. feet, but there are people who accept that trade off.

[brenty]

Hi,

I was in Chicago last week and I decided to purchase a home in Evanston. It is on Asbury Avenue near a Ridgeville Park District Place. I got a really good deal on it. It is a renovated 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 Bath, with nicely designed kitchen. I only paid $498,000 and it was listed at $525,000. The community of Evanston is absolutely gourgeous. Wilmette was nice too but it was a bit quiet and there is not much Lakefront, Private or Public. Downtown Evanston was pretty busy! About as busy as Walnut Creek's!

[nanannie]

Originally Posted by brenty

Hi,

I was in Chicago last week and I decided to purchase a home in Evanston. It is on Asbury Avenue near a Ridgeville Park District Place. I got a really good deal on it. It is a renovated 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 Bath, with nicely designed kitchen. I only paid $498,000 and it was listed at $525,000. The community of Evanston is absolutely gourgeous. Wilmette was nice too but it was a bit quiet and there is not much Lakefront, Private or Public. Downtown Evanston was pretty busy! About as busy as Walnut Creek's!

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Congratulations and welcome to your new home. Evanston is a great city, enjoy !