Andersonville vs. Evanston (Berwyn, Sheridan: apartment, homes, neighborhood)

[rzzz]

I posted a similar questions once before. My sister is going to be a prof at Northwestern. She has a small kid (< 1 y/o) Her husband is foreign and is trapped overseas in visa hell so I thought I could help her out for a while since I work at home for a place in LA.

There is a powerlifting gym in Andersonville and that is the only thing I do these days besides work. I like the idea of a "quaint neighborhood in the middle of a world class city". I saw a couple listings on Craigslist near the Argyle stop, which seems to be close to a couple beaches and sports fields. The neighborhood looks pretty good, a lot like Minnesota where I'm from, which is maybe good, or maybe bad...

However, Andersonville looks pretty close to Evanston. I wonder if I'm considering a neighborhood that close, should I just be in Evanston proper? It looks like I can get a big 2BD place in Andersonville for under $1800, which seems good to me after living in NYC and SF, but maybe I can do better? Is Evanston going to be more or less expensive?

[marothisu]

A few thoughts:

1) The Argyle stop isn't directy in Andersonville though it's a 10 or so minute walk away from the starts of Andersonville, maybe. Argyle is actually in Uptown. No trains go directly through Andersonville, though some go within a maybe 10 minute walk. Berwyn is one of the stops that's more directly in line with it, though yeah Argyle might be considered the south edge of Andersonville.

2) Andersonville is close to Evanston but not next door. It's still 2.5 to 3 miles south of it.

3) Evanston may be more expensive, depending on where it is located in Evanston. The prices may be pretty similar in reality.

[ChicagoMeO]

Both are good in my opinion. Both have busy streets with lots of shops and boutiques and restaurants and beautiful homes, and you can live on a side street if you want it quieter. Evanston has a few areas with different feels. Google a street map if you want to take a peek.

In Evanston, you could live close to a main street and get near stores and places and its nice, or you can live close to Northwestern Univ and get a different feel or you can live like on 500 N Sheridan which has a beautiful apartment building with a balcony and a view of Lake Michigan - its awesome.. was going to take a look at that but it was too far from the train for me, but maybe you would like it.

So each is good and adorable and I feel as safe in either one.

[glass_of_merlot]

Team Andersonville

I'm a 10 minute walk to the Argyle Red line, 18 minute walk to the Damen Brown line, 1 minute or less walk to Clark 22 buss. It's safe and much to do.

[knitgirl]

I don't see any reason for her to live in Andersonville when Evanston is a great place, she's got a tiny kid and her husband isn't around right now to help. Be as close to work as possible to save on commuting time.

[ToriaT]

Pick Evanston. Its a great place to live and in my opinion, better than Andersonville. There can be some shady spots around the Argyle stop here and there....I think you are better off in Evanston...its beautiful there.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by ToriaT

Pick Evanston. Its a great place to live and in my opinion, better than Andersonville. There can be some shady spots around the Argyle stop here and there....I think you are better off in Evanston...its beautiful there.

The Berwyn stop is also for Andersonville, and the only shadiness around the Argyle stop is located east of the stop (and from a lot of personal experience, those people are nothing to worry about) and Andersonville is west of the stop. You wouldn't even run into it there really.

[ToriaT]

Depends on where you live in Andersonville as to which stop would be more convenient. Still I'd pick Evanston over Andersonville any day especially if I had a child.

[WilliamReign]

Evanston is way more family friendly IMO, I grew up in Evanston. Lots of community and welcoming peoples. The only bad area in Evanston is the Church and Dodge area right by the high school.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by ToriaT

Depends on where you live in Andersonville as to which stop would be more convenient. Still I'd pick Evanston over Andersonville any day especially if I had a child.

I don't disagree - just saying that Andersonville is a good choice too. They're both good places.