Downtown Evanston (Davis Street Core)
Young Professionals, Empty-Nesters, Graduate Students
Downtown Evanston is the urban core of the suburban city. It has plenty of mid-rise apartments, condos, offices, and retail that share the same blocks. Transit access is strong since it is centered around Davis Street near the CTA Purple Line and Metra stations. Many who live here wrestled with living in Chicago and ultimately chose the slightly more chill vibe of the suburban/urban experience. Fewer families choose downtown, although younger couples with newborns and toddlers can be seen strolling around town.
Schools
- Zoned schools vary by address
- Evanston Township High School
Housing snapshot
- Apartments and condos
- Median home price: ~$500K–$800K+
- Rent: ~$2,200–$3,200
Similar neighborhoods
- Uptown near transit in Chicago
South Evanston (Near Chicago Border)
Chicago Commuters, Students & Younger Families
The Vibe:
This neighborhood is in southern Evanston near Rogers Park and the Main Street corridor. It has denser housing, strong transit access, and a faster connection to Chicago than other parts of Evanston. People often choose it for transit access rather than neighborhood character. Local businesses skew practical. Dining and nightlife are limited compared to downtown. Residents often head north to Davis Street or south into Chicago for more options.
Schools
- Varies by address
- Evanston Township High School
Housing snapshot
- Apartments, condos, some single-family homes
- Median home price: ~$400K–$700K
Comparable areas
- Rogers Park
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Northeast Evanston (Lakefront & Campus Area)
Established Families, University Faculty
The Vibe
This is one of the most sought-after parts of Evanston. It runs along Lake Michigan, east of Northwestern, and proximity to the lake shapes the vibe and the daily activities. Many locals walk along the lakefront paths before work or after dinner. Beaches and parks get steady use in warmer months.
The university is part of the daily culture here as well. Campus events, lectures, and sports are easy to access, but student activity is less concentrated than in downtown areas. Streets feel quieter despite the location.
Schools
- Elementary zoning varies by address
- All students attend Evanston Township High School
Housing snapshot
- Single-family homes and some condos
- Median home price: ~$900K–$1.5M+
Similar areas
- Lake-adjacent Wilmette
- Hyde Park near the lake (different density)
North Evanston (Residential North Side)
Families
The Vibe:
This neighborhood is north of downtown toward Wilmette, away from the lake.**** It's
one of the quietest parts of Evanston, and the streets are mostly residential. Errands require a short drive, so this is going to feel more suburban than other neighborhoods. In exchange for sacrificing convenience, you get larger homes and family-centric streets.
Schools:
- Elementary and middle school zoning varies by attendance area
- All students attend Evanston Township High School
Housing snapshot
- Single-family homes
- Median home price: ~$800K–$1.3M
Similar areas
- Wilmette (lower-priced pockets)
- Northbrook (closer-in sections)
Dempster Street Area
Families
The Vibe:
Dempster Street runs east–west through central Evanston, west of downtown. It's a practical corridor with grocery stores and casual restaurants heavily used by locals. Homes are big by national standards and many have historic origins in the city. Traffic is heavier than on the surrounding residential streets, but locals appreciate the tradeoffs of having the basics closeby to cut down on heavy driving.
Schools
- Elementary and middle school zoning varies by block
- Evanston Township High School
Housing snapshot
- Single-family homes and small multi-unit buildings
- Median home price: ~$650K–$1.1M
Similar areas
- Harlem Avenue corridor in Oak Park
- Skokie retail corridors near residential blocks