Pros and Cons of Living in Evanston, IL

Pros and Cons of Living in Evanston, IL

When you’re considering moving into or around the Chicago area, you might also consider moving just outside of the city, and into the amazing suburb of Evanston, IL. 

Living in Evanston is the best of both worlds in many ways – it has access to all of the perks that come with living in Chicago but with the more laid-back, suburban feel with the escape from city life that many people look for. 

When looking to move to Evanston, however great it may be, it’s still important to determine what the pros and cons of moving to the area are. Let’s explore together!

Pros of Living in Evanston, IL

Located around 13 miles from Chicago, this suburb is never short on things to do. From its plethora of outdoor, cultural, and artistic activities, to its great restaurants and fantastic breweries, you’ll never run out of things to do or try in this area. 

Evanston, IL is also home to no less than five beaches, as it is located just off the coast of Lake Michigan (just like Chicago!). With its amazing access to Chicago, great beaches, great food, and rich cultural and artistic scene, there’s a lot to love about Evanston. 

Need some other benefits of living in Evanston, IL? We’ve got even more great things the town offers!

• Evanston has amazing parks that allow you to escape from city living and enjoy the great outdoors. 
• The suburb features top-rated schools. Out of 36 public schools in the suburb, 23 out of those receive a grade of A or higher. 
• Because of its great array of public parks (77 to be exact!)Evanston allows the majority of its residents to be within a half-mile of each of them. If you’re a nature lover, or just always love having the option of having a nice picnic, Evanston is just the place for you. 
• Evanston’s proximity to Chicago is a gigantic perk of living in the suburb. Connected directly to the city through its Red and Purple metro lines, as well as its convenient buses, you can’t ask for much more than that! Chicago is one of the country’s biggest and most vibrant cities, with amazing amenities, dining, music, entertainment, and arts and cultural centers. 
• Evanston also enjoys a very low crime rate and is extremely safe for families and individuals alike. 
• The suburb also features a bustling job market and allows residents to make more than they would in other areas. The easy access to all of the job opportunities in Chicago is also a huge perk!

Cons of Living in Evanston, IL

Just like with any area, there are some cons to living in Evanston, no matter how great it is! Evanston has a cost of living score of 120/100, which makes it notably more expensive to live in than the national average and is also more expensive than living in Chicago, which is a pretty affordable area. 

Going hand in hand with its higher cost of living, Evanston’s housing costs are also notably high – 45% higher than the national average, in fact. Additionally, because it doesn’t have as many internal public transportation options as Chicago does, its transportation costs are also higher than the national average. 

As is the case with listing the drawbacks of living in Chicago or its surrounding areas, one of the biggest drawbacks of living in Evanston is its brutal winter weather. Ice-cold Evanston winners are not for the meek – this area gets very cold and receives a large amount of snowfall every year. However, for some, that could be a noted perk!

Living in Evanston IL

When looking to move to Evanston, IL, it’s important to do your research to find out if the suburb is right for you – and we have a feeling it is! It’s hard to find some real downsides of living in Evanston, IL, because the area really is so lovely. If you’re looking to relocate to the area, look no further than Chicago Movers for all of your moving needs.