Evanston

Evanston is a friendly lakeside city located just on Chicago’s northern border. It’s home to Northwestern University, one of the top universities in the country, as well as The Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern’s top-ranked business school. Drive around and you’ll also find Rotary International, the world’s first service club organization, and Evanston Hospital, the nucleus of the NorthShore University HealthSystem.

If you work downtown or up north, the multitude of mass transit options in Evanston allows you to get to most destinations in under an hour. There are several Metra and Purple Line “L” train stops in Evanston, as well as expansive Pace bus options. Residents can get to downtown as quickly as 15 minutes on the Metra. Or, if you’re looking to visit a specific area, Evanston residents have connecting access to neighborhoods along the Red Line like Sheridan Park, Edgewater, Uptown, Wrigleyville and Lincoln Park. Both O’Hare and Midway airports are a 30 minute drive or a few “L” transfers away. It’s also a great place for cyclists with the lake path nearby and several Divvy stations for bicycle rentals.

When it comes to activities, there is an incredible range of options, from concerts by world-class musicians at Northwestern’s Pick-Staiger Concert Hall to the Evanston Farmers’ Market, which runs from May through November making fresh produce and artisan breads and cheeses easily accessible. And in the summer, don’t forget to stop and enjoy Evanston’s long stretches of beach as well as outdoor music concerts in the downtown.

Enjoy the cuisine Evanston offers like several options for ramen, poke bowl, pizza, tacos and tapas to name a few. Grab a slice of the best pie in town at Hoosier Mama Pie Company, or a drink at one of the local breweries like Sketchbook Brewing Co., Temperance Brewing Co. and Smylie Brothers Brewing Co.

If you’re a student or a family looking to set down roots, Evanston is the place to be.