Evanston, IL is a vibrant city located just north of Chicago. With miles of shoreline on Lake Michigan, gorgeous parks and trails, and a thriving business district downtown, Evanston is an ideal destination for people looking for something to do and see. It's also known for its cultural attractions, including the historic Grosse Point Lighthouse and several art galleries. Whatever your interests may be, there's something for everyone in this lively city.
The reviews of Evanston are consistently positive. People praise the city’s mix of modern amenities with its old-world charm, its location near Chicago but still far enough away to have its own unique identity, and the wide array of activities available in the area. The nearby beaches are often mentioned as a highlight while visitors rave about the restaurants and shops throughout the town as well. Generally speaking, people enjoy their experiences in Evanston whether they're visiting or living there permanently.
based on 20 ReviewsGet to know Evanston with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Evanston
parking scam!! - 12/26/2019
be sure to take pictures of where you park... Full-scale parking scam going on in this town. They purposely obscure self-pay parking signs. Nine out of 10 visitors could reasonably assume it’s a free parking spot… But the GOTCHA post a block down has all the rules in font size
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Really expensive place to live with little benefi - 2/27/2019
I've lived here for two years for school. Terrible place for students. Northwestern is a great school/campus, but the city itself is NOT student friendly.
Everything is expensive. Let's start with housing. It's just as expensive as living in downtown Chicago. How does that make sense? Who honestly would rather live in Evanston instead of downtown Chicago? Students going to Northwestern don't really have the choice to live elsewhere, and we are being taken advantage of with absurd rents. Live in an old place and pay a lot, or live in a new unit and pay A LOT.
There are also few cheap places to eat out. Apparently legislation was passed that disallows restaurants from having drive thru's in the city. This of course drives out all the affordable places to eat, leaving us with restaurants, majority of which will cost at minimum $20-25 per meal per person.
Finally let's talk about police and parking. Street parking goes until 9pm. Utterly
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WORST Place To Live! E-Town means no LIFE - 1/22/2016
Aside from everything else mentioned on this site about the bad aspects of Evanston - bot be overlooked is the NOISE.
The People's Republic of Evanston CATERS to the wealthy citizens in the million dollar mansions who live on or next to Lake Michigan. Get this - Evanston passed a law restricting the use of noisy LEAF BLOWERS because they irritate the wealthy citizens (people in $2,300+ apartments are benefited too, right? NOT!)
Yet the endless construction that the Evanston City keeps approving (presumably to get tax revenue dollars denied them by expanding NU footprint) the construction noise is UNBEARABLE.
Trucks rumbling, jackhammers, street drilling, huge metal plates across the road making clank noises, an endless din that punishes citizens. CAll 311 and you get NO HELP FROM THE CITY (of course not, they're the ones rubber stamping the construction)
A recording studio that had been in business here for decades closed its doors to move
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A great place to live - 6/27/2015
I've lived in Evanston my whole life and started raising my family here. Alas we have to relocate, but our neighborhood is fantastic.
A little known gem, The Commons of Evanston, is a great place to live. Surrounded by million dollar homes, these townhouse/condos are affordable, 2 blks from lake, 2 blks from L & Metra, great school district.
We have a 3bdrm 2.5 bath, 1700 sqft, and our mortgage is $1700 a month. The complex does everything for you, from snow removal and landscaping, to window screen repair. Everyone is friendly and accommodating.
If you are looking to relocate, our unit will be on the market by 7/8, turn-key
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I am about to retire and cannot afford to continue - 4/22/2014
I have lived in this beautiful, midwest, lakeside city most of my life, with a few forays into Chicago city living. But I always returned back here. The streets are clean, tree-lined, and dotted by million dollar homes. The public schools are still good. Our grand and glorious NU (Northwestern University) has been allowed to buy many properties in the city and remove them from the tax roles. Hence the individual homeowners and renters are left to bear a huge burden of property tax. A newly constructed 2 bedroom rental apartment will cost you close to $2000K per month. I understand that NU has one of the richest endowments of any US university, but fails to pay its' fair share to the city that it exploits...enough negativity here, this has been a host/parasite relationship for decades and unlikely to change.
So I will retire soon, and move to a state where there is no tax on retirement pensions, and where the weather is good most days, and where I can afford to pay my
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Evanston is a good place to live; let's make it gr - 3/23/2013
I'm surprised by the negative comments below. I moved to Evanston three years ago and find it a good balance between city and suburban life. The summers are glorious: the beaches are clean, the trees are beautiful, and there are many festivals. I bike everywhere year-round and feel safe (except for when I go onto the commercial streets). I have become involved in the community and there are many of us who are trying to make Evanston more fair and inclusive. The city is responsive, and staffed with smart and hardworking people, who are doing their best in tough times. The schools look fantastic; which is why the property taxes are so high. There are racists in every city, but here I see many attempts by well-meaning people to bridge the divide. Everyone complains about parking tickets; why not bike or take public transportation instead of driving everywhere? If you must drive, use the parking garages so that you won't get ticketed.
If you live in Evanston and don't like an
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Evanston is a good place to live- let's make it gr - 3/23/2013
I'm surprised by the negative comments below. I moved to Evanston three years ago and find it a good balance between city and suburban life. The summers are glorious: the beaches are clean, the trees are beautiful, and there are many festivals. I bike everywhere year-round and feel safe (except for when I go onto the commercial streets). I have become involved in the community and there are many of us who are trying to make Evanston more fair and inclusive. The city is responsive, and staffed with smart and hardworking people, who are doing their best in tough times. The schools look fantastic; which is why the property taxes are so high. There are racists in every city, but here I see many attempts by well-meaning people to bridge the divide. Everyone complains about parking tickets; why not bike or take public transportation instead of driving everywhere? If you must drive, use the parking garages so that you won't get ticketed.
If you live in Evanston and don't like an
Read More
A good place to live- let's make it great! - 3/23/2013
I'm surprised by the negative comments below. I moved to Evanston three years ago and find it a good balance between city and suburban life. The summers are glorious: the beaches are clean, the trees are beautiful, and there are many festivals. I bike everywhere year-round and feel safe (except for when I go onto the commercial streets). I have become involved in the community and there are many of us who are trying to make Evanston more fair and inclusive. The city is responsive, and staffed with smart and hardworking people, who are doing their best in tough times. The schools look fantastic; which is why the property taxes are so high. There are racists in every city, but here I see many attempts by well-meaning people to bridge the divide. Everyone complains about parking tickets; why not bike or take public transportation instead of driving everywhere? If you must drive, use the parking garages so that you won't get ticketed.
If you live in Evanston and don't like an
Read More
Evanston is horrible - 1/24/2013
I hate Evanston. I wish I never moved here. The residents are passive aggressive, snide assholes who can't pay attention while driving, stay in their lane, or read basic street signs. The parking police are overzealous and are a nightmare to deal with. Panhandlers are everywhere and make more money than I do. The city tries to nickel and dime you for every possible service while providing horrible service. The train stations are dilapidated and smelly. The grocery stores are disgustingly dirty and overpriced. People leave dog poop along the sidewalks. It is horrible and I dream about being able to
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The truth about Evanston, IL - 4/18/2011
I agree with you. We moved to Evanston, IL almost 3 years ago. It's a horrible town to live in if you are an African American. And the worst place for our children. People are so racist is sicking. My child attended a private school, Roycemore in Evanston, IL. The administrators and teachers were extremely racist, rude and hostile. My son is and has always been a very nice boy. However, while attending Roycemore school, the teachers and middle school director almost drove us absolutely CRAZY. Everyday they made up lies and problems for my child. Then every quarter they gave my child F's, saying he did not submit his homework. But they "lied" because I went out of my way to personally email all his assignments directly to his teachers. As his mother, I almost lost my mind. Stay away from Roycemore school unless you want difficulties. All they want is your MONEY!!! They really don't give a dam about African American Kids, especially our boys, and they disrespect AA parents too. As far
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