SperlingViews - Gurnee, Illinois

We moved here four years ago from Evanston, IL and I have to say it's been the worst experience of my life. The people here are closed minded, rude, homophobic, racist. There are no sidewalks! No sidewalks! What kind of a town doesn't have sidewalks? It's outrageous. If you don't have a car, you're screwed. The PACE buses are always late. The military base is close in North Chicago, so on the Metra, the navy guys are really rude and gawk at you and make vulgar comments. The upside is the library. The library is fantastic and probably one of the best libraries I've seen, ever. Warren Newport Library has dozens upon dozens of activities and contests that make it a little better to live here. [read more...]

Gurnee is a relatively new community. Incorporated in 1927, it remained a primarily rural, small town until the 1970's. It was at about this time that the growth and suburban sprawl had begun to reach the village limits. Located approximately 10 miles from the state line, Gurnee is almost centered between Chicago and Milwaukee. Flying out of Mitchell Field or O'Hare are equally convenient (though Mitchell is cheaper for a number of reasons). I-94 runs right through the village, so it's easy to get to and from. Gurnee's attributes are many, and the flaws few. One of the key points is its' tax base. Gurnee, with a 2005 population of about 27,000 benefits from the Gurnee Mills mall and the Six Flags Great America Theme Park. In 2007, constuction commenced on an indoor water park. This tax base continues to contribute to lower property taxes for the villages residents. Gurnee is the most visited communiy in Lake County, IL, but you wouldn't know that if you were to make your way through the villages neighborhoods and subdivisions. Everything that draws the visitors to Gurnee is adjacent to the Interstate. Because it is a "newer" community, a majority of the infrastucture is already in place and up to date, and there is only limited areas for growth within the village boundries. Village services are outstanding: Each of the key departments is equipped with modern equipment. The Public Works and Park District maintain their respective areas beautifully. We have a top notch, modern Police Force, and both of our Fire Department's Fire Stations are full of state-of-the-art equipment and well trained personnel. While both are large school districts, we've been impressed with Woodland, Dist. 50 (K-8), and Warren Township High School (Dist 121). Lake County College is located in Grayslake, IL, and is just a few minutes away. About the only drawback is the traffic. Roads have been slow to grow with the needs of the residents, so traveling to and from work can be time comsuming. Additionally, while there is mass-transit, it is minimal. Commuter rail lines (METRA) are available, but both are located outside of the village limits. Public bus service (PACE) offers some options. So, if you're thinking about relocating here, take this into consideration. The Village of Gurnee offers small-town living, with big city ammenities.[read more...]