lake michigan/north shore (Chicago, Evanston: condo, home, neighborhood)

[weslv05]

This may be a strange question, but I'd appreciate any input from locals. Can anyone tell me about Lake Michigan? I'm considering a move to Chicago suburbs (Highland Park/Deerfield/Lake Forest area, though I'd consider a little farther south), and am wondering how nice the lake is. Is it clean? Safe to swim in? Is it very crowded during the summer (I know it's huge, but sometimes there's only a smaller, functional area)? How are the beaches? Are most public or private in that area? Is there any sort of boat launch/yacht club? Are there any other options in the northern suburbs...lakes that are clean, fun to hang out on, etc.

Thanks!

[Anthera]

Lake Michigan is generally considered to be pretty clean. Bacterial counts are taken everyday and if they are too high the beaches will be closed.

The different villages all have their own beaches. If you are a non-resident you will have to pay a fee to get in and good luck finding parking in Lake Forest or Kenilworth. The individual villages also have storage for small sailboats(again for their own resident) and offer sailing programs.

Wilmette and Evanston have huge beaches which are very popular. Wilmette is home to a yacht club whitch has storage for larger boats. Evanston has been debating putting in a large marina on its south side.

the lake is wonderful, but if its important to you you should living in the real North shore(those communities which actually have a shore). Residents will always have privledges that non-residents will not. And its really nice to walk a few block and be at your own village's beach.

[brenty]

Lake Michigan is relativley clean. The City of Milwaukee dumps a portion of their garbage into Lake Michigan, but they are slowly putting and end to that. Indiana has a lot of dirty industry on the lakefront but all that pollution is carried up by Michigan. North Shore beaches are extremely clean. Evanston, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, Highland Park, Lake Forest, and Lake Bluff have clean beaches. I would prefer to be in the southern or central sections of the North Shore. Evanston, Wilmette, and Kenilworth, are on the southern end. Winnetka and Glencoe are in the central area. Highland Park, Highwood, Lake Forest, and Lake Bluff are on the northern end. Wilmette has a Yacht Club called Wilmette Harbor. Evanston has a boat slip, and is considering a new marina. Highland Park also has a boat slip. Evanston and Highland Park are considered the most lively. I live in Evanston and would not call it fun, Evanston has nice shopping and dining areas. Highland Park has an amazing downtown. If you enjoy old movies, shopping, and eating. You would find the North Shore fun. Evanston has the quickest access to Downtown Chicago, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, and Wrigleyville. You can be in those areas in 20 to 35 minutes via train. There can be some E-Coli problems at the beaches. Sometimes the lake has a very foul odor, especially in the winter. Evanston and Wilmette beaches can become very crowded due to thier proximity to Chicago. If you don't have kids I would consider a city neighborhood like Lincoln Park, Lakeview, or the Gold Coast. If you can afford the North Shore you could afford a nice home in Lincoln Park or Lakeview. Maybe a nice condo in a Gold Coast High Rise. The best values on the North Shore can be found in Central Evanston, West Evanston, Skevanston, West Wilmette, East Glenview, Northfield, West Glencoe, West Highland Park, Central Highland Park, Highwood, and Rondout in Lake Forest. You have many options especially if you are spending between $1,000,000 and $1,500,000.