Southern Wisconsin or Lake County? (Chicago, Waukegan: new house, schools, taxes)

[LakeCountyBang]

Hello!

The living situation up north in Lake County and Southern Wisconsin is an interesting one. Many move to southern WI because it is cheaper, and generally different. However, many still stay south of the state line.

I would like to know which one you prefer. I still prefer LC for many reasons, commute beintg of them, also, schools are a bit more desirable, and, I don't want to look like I'm living in another world to fellow friends. Cost of living? I can drive an extra five minutes to rid of taxes, and for cheaper gas, but otherwise, I like to live in IL.Also, it is a bit more expensive, yes, but not much more, so Im fine.

Post your opinion here!

[zizu]

Job location is a major determining factor. Otherwise, Lake co. is my choice. More educated/affluent, and less white trash! That said, northern Lake is a big step down from mid and southern Lake.

[Daze55]

If I were living on the state border +/- 10 minutes, I would hands-down choose Wisconsin over Illinois. The main reasons being the taxes and politics. Sacrificing 10 minutes is completely worth it IMO to not have to pay the ridiculous taxes or deal with the political corruption of Illinois. These are the same reasons why I live in NW Indiana over, say, New Lenox. I left Illinois in 2003 and I'm glad I left when I did. If Illinois can somehow fix itself, then I would totally consider moving back. But, until then, I'll stay where I am.

[MSchemist80]

+1 Illinois is a failed state.

[4122]

Originally Posted by zizu

Job location is a major determining factor. Otherwise, Lake co. is my choice. More educated/affluent, and less white trash! That said, northern Lake is a big step down from mid and southern Lake.

Lake County has Zion, Waukegan, North Chicago, and the Round Lakes. Lake Co. has more very undesirable areas. School quality really depends on town comparison, but I guess overall WI would because they're not having major budget cuts like IL. Definitely So. WI is my vote

[DougStark]

I'd go with extreme southern Wis. vs. Lake County.

[reppin_the_847]

There might be a power plant somewhere near there (besides the Zion, IL one) in SE WI. You might not want to live too close to it.

[LakeCountyBang]

Originally Posted by 4122

Lake County has Zion, Waukegan, North Chicago, and the Round Lakes. Lake Co. has more very undesirable areas. School quality really depends on town comparison, but I guess overall WI would because they're not having major budget cuts like IL. Definitely So. WI is my vote

Well, that's true. Once you go past Abbott and Libertyville, the true desirable areas, are really only Gurnee/Grayslake, Wadsworth, Lindenhurst and Lake Villa, and then Antioch/Old Mill Creek(NOT CHANNEL LAKE!). Gurnee got its gentrification and Mariano's, and nice new houses, and Grayslake has its share.

Wadsworth, big houses, big lots and middle class areas.

Lake Villa/Lindenhurst also has nice parts next to 45 and next to Antioch.

Antioch got its good parts(mainly Emmons area and everything past Walmart, and Old Mill Creek), and is slowly improving out of its financial crisis, but still nice.

Now, look at all those other places I left out. Round Lake Villages, Fox Lake, Hainesville, Zion, Waukegan, North Chicago-more than the good places I mentioned. The lakeside Villages are older, far, and with bad schools, so that's a big bomber.

On the other side, South Wisconsin, is really only Pleasant Prarie and Downtown Kenosha, and Costco(mainly for the LC citizens).

But, gas, and cost of living, is a lot cheaper in WI.

[CCrest182]

Originally Posted by LakeCountyBang

Hello!

The living situation up north in Lake County and Southern Wisconsin is an interesting one. Many move to southern WI because it is cheaper, and generally different. However, many still stay south of the state line.

I would like to know which one you prefer. I still prefer LC for many reasons, commute beintg of them, also, schools are a bit more desirable, and, I don't want to look like I'm living in another world to fellow friends. Cost of living? I can drive an extra five minutes to rid of taxes, and for cheaper gas, but otherwise, I like to live in IL.Also, it is a bit more expensive, yes, but not much more, so Im fine.

Post your opinion here!

Corrupt Illinois which has a budget standoff and crooks running it, or much less corrupt Wisconsin, with lower taxes, more isolated feel, quieter, and basically the same commute driving into Chicago/area as Lake County.

I feel the answer is obvious to most people.

[Missy2U]

My husband and I are struggling with this decision right now. Still not sure what we're going to do.