Evanston, IL Moving Guide

Living in Chicago puts you undoubtedly close to all of the amazing events, entertainment, sports, and more that occur in the city. With one of the largest food and drink scenes in the country, incredibly diverse neighborhoods all with their own rich history, and amazing museums and cultural institutions to enjoy for the entire family (not to mention amazon parks and beaches!)Chicago has a little something for everyone.

However, what do you do when you want to live close to all the goings-on of Chicago, but want a little breathing room from the hustle and bustle of city life? You can find your answer in Evanston, IL, a popular suburb that puts you very close to the city, but still lets you enjoy your quiet time.

Why Move to Evanston, IL?

Beyond just living close to Chicago, Evanston, IL has a lot to offer locals and new residents alike. At a glance, living in this area allows you to enjoy a convenient commute to work in the city, or be a short subway ride away from a concert or sports event – all without the hassles or concerns that come with living in a major city.

Evanston, IL provides an amazing quality of life for the people who live there, as well as a great balance for those looking to be close to Chicago but away from city life. It offers a laid-back suburban lifestyle but will have all of the Chicagoan perks – but less of the noise!

Regardless of all of the huge benefits that come with moving to Evanston, however, you should always do your complete research whenever it comes to anywhere you’re looking to move. Some of the biggest benefits come with the schools, the job market, and the economy.

However, when it comes to researching any place you might move to, not everywhere is going to be right for everyone. Do your complete homework and look into the environments and neighborhoods you’ll be a part of when you move to this area, as well as the costs associated with doing so before making your move. Want to learn more about the benefits and drawbacks to living in Evanston, IL before you move here? We’ve got everything you need to know about this suburb.

Pros of Living in Evanston, IL

Though located just 13 miles away from Chicago’s center, Evanston has thriving scenes of its own in the world of arts, culture, and food. The area also has a ton of opportunities for indoor and outdoor recreation for the entire family, as well as amazing restaurants and breweries. Regardless of where you may live, Evanston has something for you.

Besides its overall atmosphere, what are some other upsides of living in Evanston? Let’s find out!

• Outdoor Space: Evanston’s 77 amazing public parks give you a huge break from your everyday life and allow you to enjoy the great outdoors – even if you just stay near your home. This suburb has so many parks that on average, each home in the area is located within a half-mile of one. The suburb is also home to 5 amazon beaches along Lake Michigan that will keep your summers enjoyable and sun-drenched.
• Schooling: With top-rated public school districts, Evanston is a great place to move for families or for people looking to start one. 23 out of its 36 public schools receive a grade of A or higher in quality.
• Location: Though Evanston is a lot more than just its proximity to Chicago, it is undoubtedly a huge perk of living in the area. Directly connected to the city through the Red and Purple metro lines (plus many bus lines), you’ll have easy access and an easy commute for work or entertainment.
• Low Crime: Evanston is an extremely safe area for families and individuals alike, and has very low crime rates.
• Job Market: Both on its own and when adding Chicago’s job opportunities into the mix, the possibilities for gainful employment are nearly endless in Evanston. On top of this, Evanston’s job market has higher average salary rates than many other parts of the country.

Cons of Living in Evanston, IL

We’re not going to lie, we really had to look for drawbacks of living in Evanston, IL to complete this list! That being said, no area is perfect for everyone, and might not work with everyone’s lifestyles. The following are some of the cons of living in Evanston, IL.

• Weather: The most glaring downside of living in Evanston (and the region as a whole) is its particularly brutal winters, which can reach sub-zero temperatures. There is also a lot of snowfall throughout the winter – though this can be a perk for some!
• Cost of Living: Evanston is on the expensive side as far as housing and overall cost of living goes, coming in at 20 points above the national average. It’s also more expensive on average than most areas of Chicago. It also has higher transportation costs, with the area coming in at 29% higher than the national average.
• Housing Costs: As we mentioned, Evanston does have high housing costs. The cost of buying a home in the area is 45% higher than the national average.

Despite some of its downsides, it’s undoubtedly that Evanston is an amazing place to live and a great place to raise a family (or for individuals!). Looking to move to Evanston, IL? See what working with Hollander Moving & Storage, the best Chicagoland professional movers can do for the quality and overall experience of your move. You’ll be glad you did! Contact us today to learn more or for a free quote.