Relocating to Northern Illinois...help!! (Evanston, Glenview: crime, houses, elementary schools)

[mindytriplett]

My family and I are relocating to Illinois by end of May 2009, I was born in Evanston and lived in the Lake county area until I was 12. My parents decided to move us to Arizona and I've been here for almost 18 years... I long to move back. Are the areas the same? what towns to stay away from either from crime or high price of living. Any advice would be appreciated. What about Jobs??? My husband is in the Maintenance field. Thanks!

[Havasu]

Good luck to you on your move, it will be a nice change for you, what part of Arizona are you coming from? I myself would consider going just a bit more North to Wisconsin a less corrupt State.
My Home (http://www.newtohavasu.net/ - broken link)

[mindytriplett]

I am moving from North Phoenix/Glendale. I have family that lives both in WI and IL, Lake county more specifically. I just find it very expensive in that area and with the economy I know AZ market has dropped tremendously. It leaves me wondering why IL hasn't.

[chet everett]

Eighteen years is a LOOOONG time to be away. Lots and lots of changes in Lake Co -- much more diversity of income, housing, races. Many more businesses. Huge increase in cost of housing in every part of northern Illinois. Surprisingly few area that have had massive changes in crime -- the places that were crummy 18 years are mostly still not so good. Some exceptions are places that have improved due to changes in demographics -- with Glenview Naval Air Station gone that was a huge opportunity to "upscale" that area -- also Highwood and Northfield have benefited from spread of teardowns and upper income folks.

Some of the same applies to Evanston. The high dollar area are stratosphiric, not the crummy area still have challenges. There is some controversy about the effect of such shifts on schools in Evanston, but in general the level of achievement that is exhibited at places like Stevenson or the Glenbrook Schools is superior to ETHS. Similar shifts effect the elementary schools -- area that were practically rural two decades ago are know well established suburbs.

In comparison to Arizona the effect of large desert-to-devlopment residential building is somewhat similar, though the hopscotch pattern of development that occurred in Lake County is a bit different. Some areas that had a 'core' have shifted and expanded. In some cases the ethnic profile is a factor -- towns like Mundelein are much more Hispanic than they were two decades ago, while surrounding areas have grown to become more upscale.

Not sure what sort of aspect of "maintenance" job your husband would find relocation to pay off. In general cost of living is HIGHER in northern Illinois than equivalent community in Arizona and specific industries may be facing some challenges. Right now the large employers in Lake Co are doing OK -- baxter, abbott, walgreens, caremark, have business models that suffer less in recession that other industries. That could change...


Good Luck!

[Havasu]

Yes the AZ market has dropped quite a bit and has come down to levels where it should be. In Illinois the market didnt take off as much as in the warmer climates so it wont fall as much. Dont be fooled though there are plenty of places in Illinois and the midwest that are falling and have fell. If you live in an area that had a big boom but has not seen the bust you will see it. I watch the market closely and its near the bottom in some areas and has a ways to go in others. I think houses that are priced above the $250,000 are the ones that will continue to fall. Just my 2 cents

Originally Posted by mindytriplett

I am moving from North Phoenix/Glendale. I have family that lives both in WI and IL, Lake county more specifically. I just find it very expensive in that area and with the economy I know AZ market has dropped tremendously. It leaves me wondering why IL hasn't.