As one of the most popular and ever-growing suburbs of Chicago, it’s no wonder that Evanston has become more and more of a hotspot for those who want to be close to one of the biggest and most exciting cities in the country, while not having to give up the slowed down suburban lifestyle you might be used to or seeking out.
If you’re interested in living in proximity to Chicago, but want to avoid the hassles or coordination involved in city living, Evanston, IL might just be the right place for you. It’s the perfect mix of suburban and city living and lets you be close to the action while being removed enough to have plenty of peace and quiet.
Why Move to Evanston, IL?
Evanston, IL provides a life that creates the best of both worlds of sorts for its residents, which is probably what makes it so popular. It combines laid-back, suburban living that’s removed from city life, while also being close enough to Chicago to allow you to enjoy all of the perks that come with living in the city. Chicago does after all feature thriving music, sports, and food scenes that always have something to offer you – even if you don’t want to be too close to the center of the action.
Whether you’re already set on moving to Evanston or are just looking around at Chicago suburbs to settle down in, doing the proper research to choose the right area for you will go a long way in keeping you comfortable and ensuring that you’re happy in the area you choose to go with. One of the best ways to choose the right place for you is by looking at the pros and cons of living in Evanston, IL, plus any other places you might be considering. So what do people love about this area? Learn everything you need to know about this suburb in this guide.
Pros of Living in Evanston, IL
Even though it’s located just 13 miles from Chicago, Evanston has its unique arts, cultural, and food scenes that you can enjoy without ever having to leave the suburb itself. The area also features many outdoor activities for the whole family. No matter what you’re into, you’ll never run out of cultural, and artistic activities, nor any amount of great restaurants and fantastic breweries to enjoy.
Besides its overall feel, what are some other benefits of living in Evanston?
- Evanston is home to five beautiful beaches along the coast of Lake Michigan that will give you the perfect summer experience.
- Has an incredible 77 public parks that will let you truly escape from city and suburban life and enjoy the great outdoors. Odds are that no matter where you’re living, you’ll be located near one of the area’s great parks since on average most homes in Evanston are located within a half-mile of one.
- Evanston is home to some of the best schools in the state, with 23 out of 36 public schools in the suburb receiving a grade of A or higher.
- Evanston’s proximity to Chicago is a gigantic perk of living in the suburb. The area is directly connected to the city through its Red and Purple metro lines which will bring you into the city in minutes, as well as its convenient buses, which allow you easy access to the city for entertainment, and sports.
- The suburb has a very low crime rate and is considered to be a very safe area for families and individuals alike.
- With its booming job market and above-average salaries in comparison to the rest of the country, Evanston holds many prospects for those looking for jobs in a wide variety of industries.
Cons of Living in Evanston, IL
We know it may not seem like it, but there are some cons to living in Evanston – no matter how far and few between. The following are some of the few cons we’ve considered for the area:
- For many, the biggest con of living in Evanston is a statewide con, which is its particularly brutal winters, where temperatures go as low as sub-zero levels, not to mention large amounts of snowfall. However, depending on how much you like snow or the cold, this could actually be a perk!
- Evanston’s cost of living is also considered to be high, both by state and national standards. The suburb has a cost of living score of 120/100, making it more expensive to live in than Chicago, though not as centrally located.
- The suburb’s housing costs are also 45% higher than the national average. It also doesn’t have as many internal public transportation options as Chicago does, which consequently make its transportation costs 29% higher than the national average.
As we mentioned before, there really aren’t many drawbacks to living in Evanston, and with the right budget, many people can make the suburb work well for them.
Overall, Evanston is no doubt an overall amazing place to live with a great environment and tons to do for the entire family. If you’re looking to relocate into or around Evanston and its surrounding areas soon, look into what the best local movers in Chicago, Reebie Storage & Moving Co. can do for you and your family’s relocation.