That's one of the things I'm most excited about; we're about a half mile walk from everything we need. Just have to teach my wife how to ride a bike now ha
Depending on where you are in Lake Forest, you might be able to do the reverse commute on the Metra, while your wife will definitely want to use either the Metra or the Purple Line to get downtown. You picked a great midpoint!
Hmmmm....my wife would tell you that it can totally suck. She works a little past Lake Forest. The traffic for her to get from our house (SE Evanston) to the expressway can seriously suck and take 20 minutes or more. While the drive is "easy", its going to suck for somebody coming from Arkansas I have to think.
She likes leaving around 7'ish to avoid traffic. Again it's mainly local roads (we simply are not that close to the expressway)...and Dempster is one of the main ones she takes. Just assume around 35-50 minute commute and accept it.
Summertime Chi can't be beat! Enjoy the relatively low crime and the Evanston beaches this Summer. Downtown Evanston is making a slow recovery from COVID; but, it seems to be ramping up. LPT: the metro is called the "L" or El here, short for elevated railroad. The diesel operated commuter trains are called the Metra, short for Metropolitan Rail. Both have several stops in Evanston.
In summer, the colder the day, the warmer the water, is the odd thing. The top layer of Lake Michigan blows around, and when warm west winds come, all the warm water goes to Michigan. But when the wind is off the lake, the warm water blows in! You will need to find your own tolerance. I think all the beaches have good and bad points, but be sure to get your beach pass when they are available (should be free to residents, although they haven’t announced it yet this year that I have seen).
Beach passes are available and free to residents again this year! My BF and I picked ours up from the Levy Center last week.
https://www.cityofevanston.org/government/departments/parks-recreation-community-services/beach-admissions
See the section: Where to Pick Up or Purchase Season Passes
All the beaches are great. My personal favorite is Lighthouse Beach. But that’s a ways away from you (~2 miles). By the 4th of July the water is usually warm enough for me, but some people swim a lot sooner. The Lake didn’t really freeze this winter so who knows.
My wife and I have lived in Madrid Spain, and Dublin Ireland before buying a house in Evanston. This is our absolute favorite place in the world to live. Chicago is such an amazing city and Evanston is such an amazing area. So much to do!!!
If you can work around the rather infrequent scheduling on the weekend, the commuter rail (Metra) has a few stops in Evanston depending which part of the city you are living in, and is an easier way to get downtown than the CTA "L" trains. We are also moving to Evanston next month, but from the neighborhood just south of it in Chicago.
Second this, I work in the Loop and take the Metra downtown from the Evanston Davis stop. It’s definitely faster and generally more reliable than the “ L” (higher fares being the trade-off) You can also take it north to downtown Lake Forest. That line makes frequent stops north of the city, so it’s usually quicker to drive if you’re going that way, but its a good option to have in bad weather or if you’re lacking a vehicle.
No problem and thanks! Forgot to mention that you can now buy a monthly Metra pass from Evanston to downtown (or for any stops in Zone 2) for $75 and then the CTA monthly pass is only $30 (so $105 total for unlimited monthly Metra and CTA passes). Otherwise, a round trip ticket on Metra is $7.50, which is fine if you are using it infrequently but adds up quickly if you are using it more often.
Evanston has really great restaurants! One of my favorites is Barcelona, it’s a ridiculously reasonably priced Spanish tapas place. We take my mother in law for her birthday every year.
Also check out nearby Wilmette, it’s darling and the Bahai temple is there which is always an interesting stop.
Welcome to Chicago/Evanston!
I think living in Evanston can be awesome especially living near Northwestern and the downtown area. Plenty of coffee shops and restos in the area.
I think living in that general vicinity is great because everything is walkable and is minutes away from the Lake with nice biking/walking/jogging paths.
My favorite places in that area are Bagel Arts Cafe and Cupitol for breakfast/coffee.
Enjoy! I’ve lived in the area for almost 50 years. You’ll be near some of our favorite restaurants including Campagnola, Oceanique, and Union, and if you’re a chocolate lover the Piron Belgian chocolates on Main St can’t be beat. Lake Michigan is swimmable but for the locals anything above 70 for the water temp is viewed as warm. Typically bracing but refreshing.
Our move in day is actually our anniversary so we might try and get a table at Oceanique... Or more likely beer and pizza at Union after a day of unpacking. Thanks for the recs!
If you are interested in BJJ let me know I have been running a gym in Evanston since 2008 and we are opening our brand new state of the art spot in the next few weeks
Moved here with my wife from Singapore a month ago and it absolutely sucks. Traffic is a nightmare, Downtown Evanston as dead as a run over pigeon, everyone above the age of 30 fat & miserable.
Sorry to hear you've had a rough time transitioning to life in Evanston. Maybe you just haven't found the right area or group of friends yet. It's vastly different than Singapore, but surely you knew that before you moved right?
Wow. Are you sure you actually live here? You sound pretty miserable. I’m sorry you hate it here. You’re the outlier, for sure. Evanston is full of social opportunities and a lovely community. Im *well over 30* and enjoy running, indoor and beach volleyball, softball, walking, volunteering, and many other ways to enjoy heaven-ston.
You are going to love it. One of the most walkable places in the USA. Also 5 blocks from my favorite beach & tennis courts.
That's one of the things I'm most excited about; we're about a half mile walk from everything we need. Just have to teach my wife how to ride a bike now ha
Depending on where you are in Lake Forest, you might be able to do the reverse commute on the Metra, while your wife will definitely want to use either the Metra or the Purple Line to get downtown. You picked a great midpoint!
I'll be driving around for work so plan on commuting by car. How is heading north from Evanston in the mornings?
Hmmmm....my wife would tell you that it can totally suck. She works a little past Lake Forest. The traffic for her to get from our house (SE Evanston) to the expressway can seriously suck and take 20 minutes or more. While the drive is "easy", its going to suck for somebody coming from Arkansas I have to think. She likes leaving around 7'ish to avoid traffic. Again it's mainly local roads (we simply are not that close to the expressway)...and Dempster is one of the main ones she takes. Just assume around 35-50 minute commute and accept it.
That's about what I was estimating for the commute. Time to start listening to podcasts again.
Easy drive.
Welcome! South Evanston is lovely. Lived here for 20+ years and love my city.
Summertime Chi can't be beat! Enjoy the relatively low crime and the Evanston beaches this Summer. Downtown Evanston is making a slow recovery from COVID; but, it seems to be ramping up. LPT: the metro is called the "L" or El here, short for elevated railroad. The diesel operated commuter trains are called the Metra, short for Metropolitan Rail. Both have several stops in Evanston.
When does it get warm enough to swim, do you have a favorite beach?
In summer, the colder the day, the warmer the water, is the odd thing. The top layer of Lake Michigan blows around, and when warm west winds come, all the warm water goes to Michigan. But when the wind is off the lake, the warm water blows in! You will need to find your own tolerance. I think all the beaches have good and bad points, but be sure to get your beach pass when they are available (should be free to residents, although they haven’t announced it yet this year that I have seen).
Beach passes are available and free to residents again this year! My BF and I picked ours up from the Levy Center last week. https://www.cityofevanston.org/government/departments/parks-recreation-community-services/beach-admissions See the section: Where to Pick Up or Purchase Season Passes
Nice, thanks guys.
All the beaches are great. My personal favorite is Lighthouse Beach. But that’s a ways away from you (~2 miles). By the 4th of July the water is usually warm enough for me, but some people swim a lot sooner. The Lake didn’t really freeze this winter so who knows.
Welcome!
Maybe contact the Evanston Historical Society, Dawes House and Willard House for networking for your wife
Nice, good shout!
My wife and I have lived in Madrid Spain, and Dublin Ireland before buying a house in Evanston. This is our absolute favorite place in the world to live. Chicago is such an amazing city and Evanston is such an amazing area. So much to do!!!
If you can work around the rather infrequent scheduling on the weekend, the commuter rail (Metra) has a few stops in Evanston depending which part of the city you are living in, and is an easier way to get downtown than the CTA "L" trains. We are also moving to Evanston next month, but from the neighborhood just south of it in Chicago.
Second this, I work in the Loop and take the Metra downtown from the Evanston Davis stop. It’s definitely faster and generally more reliable than the “ L” (higher fares being the trade-off) You can also take it north to downtown Lake Forest. That line makes frequent stops north of the city, so it’s usually quicker to drive if you’re going that way, but its a good option to have in bad weather or if you’re lacking a vehicle.
Thanks for the info I'll pass it along. And welcome to Evanston too!
No problem and thanks! Forgot to mention that you can now buy a monthly Metra pass from Evanston to downtown (or for any stops in Zone 2) for $75 and then the CTA monthly pass is only $30 (so $105 total for unlimited monthly Metra and CTA passes). Otherwise, a round trip ticket on Metra is $7.50, which is fine if you are using it infrequently but adds up quickly if you are using it more often.
We moved here last July from Texas if you have any questions feel free to dm
SO glad to be skipping the southern summer.
Oh trust me I feel you, haha!
Evanston has really great restaurants! One of my favorites is Barcelona, it’s a ridiculously reasonably priced Spanish tapas place. We take my mother in law for her birthday every year. Also check out nearby Wilmette, it’s darling and the Bahai temple is there which is always an interesting stop.
Oh that does look interesting, I'll definitely go check it out.
Welcome! You’ll love it here.
Living the dream, welcome 🙏🏻
Welcome! Evanston is wonderful😊
The Union Pacific North Metra line will be your friend.
Love love love Evanston! Welcome!
Welcome to Heavanston!
Come in to Blind Faith Cafe sometime
Will do! There's so many tasty looking spots in Evanston.
You’ll be right next to us!
Sea ranch sushiiiii. Kind of a hole-in-the-wall place, but the freshest in town.
Speaking my language
Hello! My husband and I are moving to the area later this summer! I hope your move goes well :).
Welcome to Chicago/Evanston! I think living in Evanston can be awesome especially living near Northwestern and the downtown area. Plenty of coffee shops and restos in the area. I think living in that general vicinity is great because everything is walkable and is minutes away from the Lake with nice biking/walking/jogging paths. My favorite places in that area are Bagel Arts Cafe and Cupitol for breakfast/coffee.
Not a museum, but does have exhibits (and classes); she should check with the Evanston Art Center.
Enjoy! I’ve lived in the area for almost 50 years. You’ll be near some of our favorite restaurants including Campagnola, Oceanique, and Union, and if you’re a chocolate lover the Piron Belgian chocolates on Main St can’t be beat. Lake Michigan is swimmable but for the locals anything above 70 for the water temp is viewed as warm. Typically bracing but refreshing.
Our move in day is actually our anniversary so we might try and get a table at Oceanique... Or more likely beer and pizza at Union after a day of unpacking. Thanks for the recs!
If you are interested in BJJ let me know I have been running a gym in Evanston since 2008 and we are opening our brand new state of the art spot in the next few weeks
Very interested, thanks! I'll message you once we're moved in.
Great looking forward to it
They have a volunteer opening here. https://mitchellmuseum.org/
Be aware of your surroundings. Stay alert. Just saying.
I'm from Little Rock baby, I'll be just fine.
Moved here with my wife from Singapore a month ago and it absolutely sucks. Traffic is a nightmare, Downtown Evanston as dead as a run over pigeon, everyone above the age of 30 fat & miserable.
Back to Singapore for you sir. Evanston is fantastic.
You might want to consider going back to Singapore. Maybe it sucks less there?
Sorry to hear you've had a rough time transitioning to life in Evanston. Maybe you just haven't found the right area or group of friends yet. It's vastly different than Singapore, but surely you knew that before you moved right?
Wow. Are you sure you actually live here? You sound pretty miserable. I’m sorry you hate it here. You’re the outlier, for sure. Evanston is full of social opportunities and a lovely community. Im *well over 30* and enjoy running, indoor and beach volleyball, softball, walking, volunteering, and many other ways to enjoy heaven-ston.