Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth?? (Chicago, Evanston, Sheridan: crime rates, primary schools, place to live)

[hsw]

Would favor Winnetka...

View Wilmette and Kenilworth as buffer areas to "absorb" possible crime from less affluent nearby Evanston, etc

Eastern Winnetka (esp on Sheridan) has some notable lakefront mansions recently built by rather prominent ?<50yo Chicago financiers.....real est is much about location...being near a powerful crowd, esp those w/small kids, often increases odds of better police protection and city services, even for those w/far more modest inland houses...

[Anthera]

Originally Posted by noid_1985

^ so does Nysee, Anthera's arch nemesis

Nysee actually lives in Evanston.

[Anthera]

Okay, just checked in. I'll do K/W tonight the others tomorrow.

Kenilworth is the smallest of the three villages. Its very traditional, boy & girl scouts are BIG, the memorial day parade is mandatory & participation in village related activities is strongly encouraged. Kenilworth Club membership is open to all residents and include things like Family Bingo Night.

Sears School is the only public school on the North Shore that goes from JK - 8. In many ways it mimics a "Country Day" school. Very high test scores, great teachers, lots of cultural enrichment (music art field trips).

Kenilworth is very family oriented. Very inclusive. Very tradional. Kenilworth & Winnetka have very similar demographics. Its not the all WASP suburb that many think. All shades of beige are represented.



Winnetka & Wilmette tomorrow.

[noid_1985]

Originally Posted by Anthera

Nysee actually lives in Evanston.

OK

[jimmyP]

I lived in Wlmette in the 60's and 70's and it was /is a charming area. But if I was choosing today would choose Kenilworth. Just has a nice home town feel to it. It is today a pretty wealthy area as all 3 areas are. But I would say not snooty wealthy, just very comfortable. And schools always had great reputation.

[Anthera]

Winnetka,

Much larger than Kenilworth, but still cozy. Lots of pockets of estate areas(Woodley Road, Indian Hill, the Ravines, and Sheridan Road), but lots of nice family sized and starter houses are available. Winnetka has a great Park District (to be fair Kenilworth residents use it too) which has great programs for kids and adults(including Party On The Pier).

There are two cute downtowns(Hubbard Woods used to be a separate village), and lots of fun shops. Recently, with Mariani's restaurant moving near Little Ricky's there is a sort of restaurant row feeling in downtown Winnetka at night.

There are three elementary schools in Winnetka. Educational philosophies differ at the three schools, but all residents are convinced that theirs is the best. Jr. High feeds into one middle school. Great teachers, great test scores. Educational quality is the same as Kenilworth.

All feeder schools to NT need to get their kids prepared for it. Quality doesn't vary too much in the NT district, just methods.

Winnetka is a fun place . Its harder to meet people than in Kenilworth, but anyone who makes the effort will have no trouble.

[Anthera]

Wilmette,

Ever since Wilmette downsized Green Bay from 4 lanes to 2(+turn lane), it has been a nightmare just driving through town. I could never live like that. On this alone I cannot recommend Wilmette. Stop and Go traffic in suburbia is just wrong. I no longer even shop there.



I'd be happy to answer any specific quetions.

[Anthera]

Originally Posted by hsw

Would favor Winnetka...

View Wilmette and Kenilworth as buffer areas to "absorb" possible crime from less affluent nearby Evanston, etc

Eastern Winnetka (esp on Sheridan) has some notable lakefront mansions recently built by rather prominent ?<50yo Chicago financiers.....real est is much about location...being near a powerful crowd, esp those w/small kids, often increases odds of better police protection and city services, even for those w/far more modest inland houses...

Good theory, but in practice, Kenilworth has the least crime on the NS. They have an excellent and large police force.

[Anthera]

One more thing. There is a small part of Winnetka that is "unincorporated". Houses there go to Wilmette schools. Police service is via the Cook County Sheriffs, not the Winnetka Police. Check your listing sheets carefully.

[Anthera]

OP - I would suggest visiting the schools. All of the schools will let you tour if you call in advance. Then you can really get a feel for the place.