Wilmette vs. Evanston - are there parts of Wilmette similar to Evanston? (Chicago: home, neighborhoods)

[chet everett]

Mostly employment / vocational / education related things -- there is a different mix of folks involved in fields like upper level management, law and finance where the selection processes are different than for things like the more technical fields the west coast has long been known for. Even before the explosion of web-related firms there is a tradition of folks who work in for large corporations that you'd assume to be very bureaucratic being rather accepting of "creative genius" types in firms like aerospace and even things retailers like Nordstrom or The Gap being more style conscious than firms in other parts of the country...

[cubssoxfan]

I contribute it to the legacy of the "farmer's mentality" of no frills pragmatism combined with the residue of "roll up your sleeves" and "keep your nose to the grindstone" work ethic. Portland and other West coast areas also seem to be closer to more natural beauty and compelling outdoor activities than Chicago which creates a sensitivity to nature and one's place in it.

[cbsmom]

It's fascinating the differences between the Midwest and other parts of the country in terms of culture. I'd love to live on the West Coast because of the natural beauty, but who knows how we'd feel in terms of living in a community of like-minded folks.

[nikitakolata]

Originally Posted by cbsmom

Thank you! I appreciate this information, Omoikane. It's nice to know that there are parts of Wilmette similar to Evanston - I thought there may be similarities, but I've read some posts on this site about Wilmette being far more conservative, so I wasn't sure.

Honestly, my first thought when I read the subject of your post was "huh?" When I lived in Evanston (near downtown) I never thought of Evanston and Wilmette as having significant differences. While I am sure there are differences, nothing really stikes me when I think back except, of course, the school districts being different. I did live on the east side of Evanston and mostly spent time on the east side of Wilmette except for when I was driving through the west side to get to Old Orchard for work.

I think with a budget of $650k you could potentially still get a house on the east side of Wilmette, as Chet pointed out. Especially if you have some flexibility as to when you move, maybe you can find a good deal in the winter months on a house needing some cosmetic work or something... you never know.

Personally, my husband and I also both loved Evanston and we would have been fine with ETHS if we had found a house there. My cousin attended ETHS before going to IMSA. He actually enjoyed his year there a lot. If my aunt wasn't so overbearing he probably wouldn't have wanted to go to IMSA, but I think he wanted some personal space and was never going to get it at home.

If living on the west side of Wilmette works commute-wise for your jobs, I wouldn't worry about it being that different from Evanston. I'm the type of person who would live in there if I had found a house I liked and I'd never think twice about someone having tatoos (for example). My husband has many friends in Evaston and Wilmette now and I think they'd say the same.

[cbsmom]

Thanks so much, Nikitakolata! This thread has really assuaged any worries I had about moving to Wilmette. I think it really will come down to the just finding the right house for the right price, whether that be in Evanston or Wilmette. Both are great towns!
haha, that is funny about your cousin. I left my hometown for the same reason (when I went to college).

[Larry Siegel]

Originally Posted by Omoikane

Wilmette south of Lake Avenue most closely resembles northern and northwest portions of Evanston. The Linden Street Purple Line stop is popular with commuters and Cubs fans. This is the northernmost L stop on the North Shore. McKenzie Square (west of Green Bay, south of Kenilworth, east of Ridge, and north of Isabella) offers a mix of more modest homes and new construction, similar to what you find in northwest Evanston. McKenzie Elementary anchors the neighborhood and the neighborhood is walking distance to Evanston's Central Street as well as Downtown Wilmette. In general, Wilmette south of Lake Avenue is more Democratic (similar to Evanston) and north of Lake Avenue more Republican (similar to Winnetka/Kenilworth). Wilmette is known for its excellent park district, and I've known families from surrounding communities to be more than willing to pay extra for their programmes in gymnastics and ice hockey.

If Louise McKenzie knew her name was being used to describe a whole neighborhood, not just a school…!!!

The area is about 55% Democratic; North Evanston much more so. But the two areas are physically almost identical.

[cbsmom]

Thank you!
What about the neighborhood that serves Romona - Western Wilmette? I know architecturally the neighborhood feels very different, but is it culturally a liberal area?

[4122]

Originally Posted by cbsmom

Thank you!
What about the neighborhood that serves Romona - Western Wilmette? I know architecturally the neighborhood feels very different, but is it culturally a liberal area?

The North Shore tends to be more liberal, but it's not really overly liberal where it affects the atmosphere of the town. West Wilmette doesn't seem any more or less liberal than East Wilmette.

[cbsmom]

ok, thanks!
I lived in Evanston for a while and loved the atmosphere there (still do), so hoping to find something similar if we move to Wilmette.

[Ccpfinn]

Cbsmom

Not sure if you are still looking but there is a pocket of cute homes in your price range in E. Wilmette. We call it SoMa because it's south of Maple Ave. Smaller 3 bedrooms sell in the 600s and larger homes are in the 700s. It's a great neighborhood north of the NU football stadium, between Greenbay road & Sheridan road. Many of the neighbors teach at Northwestern and it has the liberal artsy vibe you mention. SoMa has Friday night happy hours at rotating houses from Memorial Day to Labor Day, a neighborhood Easter egg hunt, a kids 4th of July parade, block parties, a book club, and movie going group. We are also walking distance from the EL station at 4th & Linden. 4th & Linden also has a little shopping district with a great pie shop, kids play place, coffee shop, comic book store, pizza joint, music store and a kids coding school. We regularly walk to the beach, downtown Wilmette (1 mile) and downtown Evanston (1.5 miles). PM me if you want more information.