liberal lakefront? Is there such a thing? (Chicago, Evanston: house, neighborhoods)

[aztoga]

We're considering a move to the Chicago area, want to have at least a half-acre, really love the idea of being near the water, but are also reading several posts about how conservative the north shore is.

If anyone has any ideas... maybe a quaint burb with access to a lake where liberals won't be drastically outnumbered, I'd love to hear from you. By the way, I know that Evanston is more liberal, but homes are also quite close together, right?

Oh, and we have four school-age kids, so good schools are important.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[chisub]

I think there are very few areas where a liberal would feel uncomfortable or outnumbered in the Chicagoland area. I know the follow up question from people will be what your budget is for a house.

[billiken]

I agree with the above. The area may lean conservative, but there are still plenty of people on the other side. Politics aren't very "in your face" in the area.

[aztoga]

We'll need to stay under about 600K. I know that pretty much rules out most of the north shore save for perhaps a steal in Lake Bluff? With four kids and two dogs, we'll want ample square footage and my husband would be working downtown. He's hoping for no more than a 30 min train ride.

I'm just dying to be near water though.

Am I dreaming?

[billiken]

As far as the Union Pacific North train line, the Wilmette stop is 30 mins from downtown on the express train. Anything further north than that will put you over 30 mins. Lake Bluff will be over an hour.

PS: You can still easily enjoy the lake without living in a "north shore" suburb. Glenview is a good option. Very nice suburb, just over 30 mins on the express to downtown, fairly close to the lake, and your budget will go further in the area. Schools are good there as well.

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by aztoga

We're considering a move to the Chicago area, want to have at least a half-acre, really love the idea of being near the water, but are also reading several posts about how conservative the north shore is.

If anyone has any ideas... maybe a quaint burb with access to a lake where liberals won't be drastically outnumbered, I'd love to hear from you. By the way, I know that Evanston is more liberal, but homes are also quite close together, right?

Oh, and we have four school-age kids, so good schools are important.

Thanks in advance for your help!

There is no where you will feel unwelcome as a liberal, but generally speaking in the Chicago area, liberals more often than not, are more interested in being where the "action" is. The areas with cultural amenities, the walkability, etc. are more densely populated, and lifestyles are not oriented around big yards.

The North Shore tends to be more fiscally/economically conservative than socially conservative. There is a strong Jewish population, that may also lean toward the social conservative side as well. You won't have a problem being a liberal on the north shore, even if you find people disagreeing with you.

[aztoga]

Thanks for the detailed info, Billiken. I had no idea that the train rides were that long! I'll take a look at Glenview.

[edsg25]

wait a second here. lakefront liberals is not a suburban term. lakefront liberals define people in North Side lakefront neighborhoods and arguably Hyde Park.

At one time, the term was used extensively in discussing city politics. Today, not so much. I'm assuming that gentrification which extended the lakefront money while diluting its liberal nature is the reason why.

the only place on the North Shore that I think is an extension of the idea of Lakefront liberal today would be Evanston.

[US-Traveller]

You won't be greatly outnumbered in Highland Park, Highwood/Fort Sheridan, or Deerfield, but the rest of the North Shore communities lean Republican. New Trier and Northfield Townships are the most strongly and historically GOP areas. I would say most of the area is moderate politically, but there is a strong emphasis on family values in the area. This is also the Midwest so "Chicago liberal" is far from as liberal as a "California liberal" or "Massachusetts liberal".

[Steve-o]

Wait, wait, wait... so you would basically skip out on a dream house in Lake Forest near the water just because its in a conservative town? Thats pretty pathetic. Who cares what other peoples' political leanings are? Its not like theyre gonna hang you because youre liberal, ya know? Put your big boy pants on and move where you want to move.