So my wife and I are going to be relocating to Chicago.
We’ve been looking heavily at the Evanston area, specifically at condo’s near the downtown part of Evanston. In general, we’re looking for somewhere that we can easily walk to dinner or a neighborhood bar for an evening out. Being able to do the same thing for shopping/groceries is an added plus.
That said, I figured I would tap into the collective knowledge of the Dopers here to see if there are any other areas we should consider that have similar qualities to the downtown Evanston area.
I’ll be working in Glenview, so it needs to be on the north side of town, and there is a good chance the wife will be working downtown so proximity to mass transit is a plus.
Between Glenview and Downtown there are many neighborhoods within the city that would fit your bill. Off the top of my head, there are Lincoln Square, Andersonville, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, and Old Town. All have that feeling of a little local “downtown” surrounded by residential areas, and all are on or near the Red and/or Brown lines. Depending on your car situation, you might even be able to venture a neighborhood or two further west (i.e., cheaper) and still get to either job area.
Tim’s suggestions are all good, but I would put emphasis on either Lincoln Square or Andersonville over the other options. Alot of restaurant/bar/nightlife choices and great shops in the area. A bit south of Lincoln Square is an area called North Center that I would also suggest you consider. Honestly, if you are going to be working in Glenview, Evanston is a darn good choice as well. There is quite a bit of stuff to do in the downtown area and it is reasonably easy to get into the city from there with public transit or driving. I’ve often thought if I actually moved out of the city limits it would most likely be to Evanston.
As far as the commute downtown, it is a little nicer to take the red or brown line, simply because they run more often and later. The purple line can be a bit of a pain, and unless the job is 9-5, M-F, may not be as convenient. I really like Andersonville and Lincoln Square, too.
Yeah, I’ll add to the Andersonville contingent. Tons of bars, restaurants and shops, close to the lakefront, and street-parking isn’t as difficult as, say, Lakeview/Wrigleyville. Ravenswood a bit to the west is also a good choice - close to the Brown line and Metra.
A bit further out, with more of a family vibe, have a look at Edison Park. It’s a tight-knit community organized around church and school, but has sprouted a little bar and restaurant strip. Wife would ride the commuter train to downtown, or bus to the Blue Line.
If you’re willing to look at condos where a number of the residents will be empty nesters or widows, there are relatively new complexes near the commuter train stations in downtown Glenview itself, The Glen (new area), or Morton Grove. But if you’re young urbanites, yeah, you want to look in the city or Evanston.
Have split my time over the past year in an apt in Skokie - right between Evanston and Glenview (in that big building across the Edens from Old Orchard). If you want a cityish vibe, Evanston is quite nice. Close to the lake, with a major University and lots of activity. Very handy public transport. And it is a matter of minurtes to head down into the N side of the city, or up into the S Shore.
Glenview is also very nice - tho much more “suburban” and nowhere near as walkable. But she could take the Metra if she preferred that over the el.
When looking at neighborhoods, be sure to figure in the effect on both of your commutes. If you live in Evanston, you will have a pretty easy drive - maybe 20 minutes, and your wife will have a pretty easy el ride. As you move into the city, your wife will have a slightly shorter el ride, but your commute might increase dramatically.
I’d strongly suggest looking at a location in Elmhurst where your wife could walk to the el. IMO, that would be a fun location, ad would make both of your commutes the least unpleasant.
Funny coincidence - my wife just called. Said her friend (who lives in Evanston)took her out for dinner yesterday and said, out of the blue, "Evanston really has an incredible number of neat little restaurants."
The Red Line is horrible. The Brown Line, however, is the Cadillac of CTA lines.
But, if one is commuting to Glenview, the essential artery to consider is the being near the Kennedy. Getting to the highway from Lincoln Square/Ravenswood (where I live) is a nightmurrrrrr. It would be worse from Andersonville.
I’d recommend Bucktown, which will put you right next to the Kennedy.
The other folks riding the Brown Line might worry you less, but crowding is a big problem. Even if you get a seat inbound because you live in Lincoln Square, you might face a crowded ride home.
As one who travels from Andersonville to Northbrook on an almost daily basis I would disagree. And Glenview is actually before Northbrook. The route a savvy driver would take is the Edens, not the Kennedy. And frankly it isn’t a bad drive at all.
FWIW I would also say the Red Line from Andersonville north to Evanston isn’t bad at all either.
The OP might get better advice if he specifies whether his and his wife’s commutes will be by automobile or by public transit, or if both are options.
He should also be aware that there is a change of trains at Howard if they are traveling from downtown to somewhere deep inside of Evanston. Not a huge deal, but any change of trains adds to the burden of the commute.
I had the impression she was taking the train into the Loop while he drove to Glenview:
“I’ll be working in Glenview, so it needs to be on the north side of town, and there is a good chance the wife will be working downtown so proximity to mass transit is a plus.”
If the OP’s wife needs to get from Evanston to downtown by public transit then the Purple line/Evanston Express would be a possible option. From somewhere like Andersonville the Red Line is a possibility. Close to Lakeshore Drive something like the 147 Express bus is a good option if you live north of Foster near Sheridan Road.
A little more detail. I will almost assuredly be driving or motorcycling to work. My wife is a CAD drafter and has yet to begin looking for work in Chicago, but it sounds like most of the large commercial construction companies have their offices downtown, so we’re guessing that is where she’ll end up. She also has a car and could drive, but frankly would prefer taking the el or Metra and not have to deal with downtown rush traffic.
We are interested in going the condo route, although we are planning on renting for a little while to both confirm we like condo living (we have a house now, but are DONE with yardwork) and finalize where the wife will be working. The one worry we have with a condo or rental is finding enough parking. 2 cars and 2 motorcycles.
Sorry, one added bit of detail. We actually can’t legally live within the city of Chicago proper with our current pets. We own 4 snakes, 2 of which are pythons and 1 of which is a boa. Even though they are small pythons and boas, Chicago passed a city ordinance banning all pythons and boas.
So a mini-rant, but why do folks in Chicago refer to the highways at names instead of their interstate designations? Dallas did this too and it never made any sense to me.
I-94 seems to be so much simpler (and universal across the entire country) instead of The Edens…