Is Waukegan a realistic choice? (Chicago, Evanston: high crime, neighborhood, to live in)

[DannFrankenstein]

Honestly, I’ve never felt unsafe in Waukegan. The crime there doesn’t seem too bad from the many times I’ve visited. It’s a little rough but I wouldn’t call it a crap hole. Same goes for North Chicago. Some parts are a little run-down looking but overall it’s not too bad. Downtown Waukegan isn’t terribly exciting, but it’s neat if you’re into historical architecture

[MSchemist80]

It isn't Harvey nor Englewood but it is still a fair bit below being a place I would recommend a middle class person move to. Lately Zion to the north seems to be making the news for all the wrong reasons.

[deeman7]

Have you considered Skokie? That seems to check all your boxes.

[MSchemist80]

Skokie would be a good option, my mother grew up there and it is still a decent town. I lived in Niles until recently and it was an ok town, kind of blue collar but certainly better than Waukegan. Morton Grove and Glenview are also nice suburbs though pricier than Niles.

I personally prefer DuPage county but I drive to Evanston and Wilmette about a dozen times a year to hang out with my bike club there and the drive there is not fun, mainly going east/west from I-294 usually on Rt-14 Dempster. I would not recommend that on a regular basis especially during rush hour.

[Master Jay]

Good morning,

I really only drive THROUGH Waukegan. They have a rather large choice of Mexican restaurants and bakeries. I have a family member in Milwaukee that, as a tradition, brings family members down there periodically to get Mexican bakery and ice cream. I went with him once. I believe it was called "La Concha."

And years ago, I had an employment associate down there, and I visited his site a couple of times.

Waukegan is a rather big body of area. I believe the Chili's on 43 (Waukegan Road) is technically IN Waukegan, as well. And I have been there a couple of times.

Otherwise, like I said I just drive through it... So go check it out. See if you "connect with it."

Some other colleagues on here have mentioned Skokie. Now I feel a huge connection when I go there!

So find your happy place! Best to you!!

[pvande55]

Although I love Evanston myself, I can understand it is expensive if you want a SFH. However, Waukegan is not too bad. A big plus is the Metra line allowing you to commute without dealing with the mind numbing traffic. A major reason to skip Waukegan is the schools. But since you no longer have any in school, not an issue.

[cobolt]

Grew up in Chicago in a mainly immigrant neighborhood, but we moved to Waukegan after my sophomore year of high school. It was a decent place back then (circa 1983). I moved away after high school. My parents and siblings moved from Waukegan to Kenosha, WI and have been there ever since. They noted a decline in the overall area and rising taxes. I’ve not been to Waukegan since they moved, so I can’t comment really, but since dad hated moving, the fact that he did speaks pretty strongly about the area to me. I think it’s just been on the steady decline trajectory.

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by cobolt

Grew up in Chicago in a mainly immigrant neighborhood, but we moved to Waukegan after my sophomore year of high school. It was a decent place back then (circa 1983). I moved away after high school. My parents and siblings moved from Waukegan to Kenosha, WI and have been there ever since. They noted a decline in the overall area and rising taxes. I’ve not been to Waukegan since they moved, so I can’t comment really, but since dad hated moving, the fact that he did speaks pretty strongly about the area to me. I think it’s just been on the steady decline trajectory.

The population of Waukegan grew by 29% between 1990 and 2000. It fell by 0.4% between 2000 and 2010, but between 2010 and 2020, it grew again by 0.3%. It seems like the area is pretty stable to me. Home prices are rising there just like almost everywhere else. These aren't the statistics that reflect a city on a "steady decline."

Also, some of Waukegan is actually fairly upscale. The whole Daybreak Farms subdivision has some higher-end homes and Warren Township schools. Much of western Waukegan has Libertyville addresses.

[Hiruko]

Apparently, the Mayor of Waukegan, Ann Taylor, lives in Nickels and Dimes Farm—a luxury subdivision with Libertyville schools.

[cobolt]

Originally Posted by Hiruko

The population of Waukegan grew by 29% between 1990 and 2000. It fell by 0.4% between 2000 and 2010, but between 2010 and 2020, it grew again by 0.3%. It seems like the area is pretty stable to me. Home prices are rising there just like almost everywhere else. These aren't the statistics that reflect a city on a "steady decline."

Also, some of Waukegan is actually fairly upscale. The whole Daybreak Farms subdivision has some higher-end homes and Warren Township schools. Much of western Waukegan has Libertyville addresses.

That’s all well and good. Stats matter very little to people who are experiencing a different reality. Again, I had zero problems with Waukegan when I lived there. We had a very nice tutor style home on a corner lot. Dad and the family moved when things started going downhill. He had a boots-on-the-ground vantage point. He hasn’t regretted his decision. YMMV.