Which Chicago Suburb for Young Professional to Live In? (Arlington Heights: apartments, how much)

[tvanwing]

Hi All,

I'll be moving to the Chicago area soon to work for a company whose offices are in the northern suburbs. I'm considering living in the Libertyville/Mundelein area. Does anyone have any suggestions for what suburbs are good for the younger crowd? If anyone can be more specific about apartments in the area that would be great as well.

Thanks!

[bulldawg1594]

evanston

[chet everett]

Libertyville

[chitown85]

I haven't noticed many young professionals in Libertyville or any far north suburb. Your best option is Evanston. You can expect to pay a decent amount (above $1000) a month for a one bedroom. Also check out the Glen in Glenview or downtown Wilmette, which personally I would rank above Libertyville (but subject to differing opinions).

Mundelein has no young professionals so I would count that out. Especially not knowing anyone in the area, you would want to live in Evanston.

[billiken]

Libertyville would be an better option than Mundelein. There's a bunch of bars in the downtown area that get a good crowd of young people. I'd say Arlington Heights would be good too, with their downtown area. Evanston is probably the best northern suburb for young people, mostly because of Northwestern (plenty of grad students), and because it almost feels like an extension of the city.

[chet everett]

There are lots of recent college grads that work at Abott and other nearby major employers, a fair number live in the area, or maybe some of the better parts of Gurnee. Libertyville definately has enough bars and resturants that you would not be lonely and the drive is MUCH nicer than all the way to Evanston...

[mas23]

mostly evanston, maybe oak park, prabably Downers Grove, skokie, most chicago suburbs are family oriented though

mas23

[chitown85]

I have to respectfully disagree with Chet on this one. I have been to the bars in Libertyville and wasn't too impressed. A lot of it seems to be post college people 1 or 2 years out living with parents until they move out on their own again. It wasn't horrible and there were people around, but it certainly is not what you will find in Evanston or even Glenview.

Of course, different things for different folks, and I'm not a social party animal, but Libertyville was a little slow for me.

As far as Gurnee, I have no knowledge of it so I can't comment.

[billiken]

All depends on how much value the OP puts on the commute. If Libertyville is ideal for commuting, it's the best option of all the surrounding suburbs for young people. At least it has more hot spots for young people. Mundelein, Vernon Hills, Gurnee, Grayslake, etc--not so much.

When I come home and want to go out, I either do downtown Libertyville since my mom lives there, stay with my uncle in Skokie and hit Evanston, or take a train downtown and stay with friends.

I will edit to add--I was considering a job in Deerfield, and my plan was to commute from a northern part of Chicago or Evanston. It is worth it if living in a younger area with much more going on means more to you than a short commute.

[mikedoyleblogger]

Evanston. It's got a lively downtown, a lot of culture, it's easy to get into the city by 'L' or Metra, a lot of young professionals--younger folks in general by dint of Northwestern being in town. Perhaps the Oak Park/Forest Park area, too. Oak Park is easier to get into the city by rail, both are easy to get anywhere by car, and Forest Park has a lot of nightlife.