Storage units in Evanston, IL - 23 facilities available

Renter’s Guide to Evanston, IL

The city of Evanston, Illinois, located along Chicago’s northern city limits on beautiful Lake Michigan, is considered a suburb of the Windy City! Home to one the country’s finest universities, Northwestern University, its cultural amenities and robust economy make Evanston a great city in its own rights. Evanston to Chicago’s O’Hare airport is a mere 15 miles away, where flights to San Francisco take only three-and-a-half hours and to New York City just over two hours.

Evanston’s weather is tempered by its location on the shores of the Great Lakes. Summer tends to be hot and humid, but when winds shift off the lake, temperatures shift as well, thus giving rise to the often-heard phrase “cooler by the lake.” Winters can be cold and snowy but mild lake waters mitigate the cold and often temperatures are warmer than what they would be during the coldest months of the year. Evanston regularly ranks as one of the best U.S. cities to live in and was recently rated as the 5^th best place in the country in the 2014 annual survey conducted by 24/7 Wall St.

Cost of Living in Evanston, IL

The cost of living in Evanston tends to be higher than in the rest of the country. Evanston apartments and real estate in general can cost as much as 76% more, though bargains can be had for those who do their research. Overall, the cost of living index is 27% higher than the U.S. average, however, food costs are only slightly higher (8%) and utility costs even less so (4% higher).

Public transportation in Evanston is excellent in that Chicago’s bus and rapid transit train systems both serve the city, as does the regional public transportation system, Pace. Bus fares are typically $2 and train fares are $2.25. Evanston is also served by the regional commuter rail line, Metra, which connects Evanston to downtown Chicago and points north to the Wisconsin border. There are also a number of taxis in Evanston with rates beginning at $2.25 and $1.80 for each additional mile.

Living in Evanston, IL

One of the best things about living in Evanston is being literally next door to all of the culture and amenities of a great city like Chicago. Also, being on the shores of Lake Michigan while being able to live in what amounts to a quaint college town has its perks. Negatives are hard to come by, but there’s no doubt that the relatively higher cost of living can present some challenges, though the discerning consumer can find many pockets of affordable options.

Things to do in Evanston, IL

One doesn’t really need to travel to Chicago a lot, since there are more than ample things to do in Evanston too. Numerous cultural events from plays to music occur on the Northwestern University campus and are open to the public. However, the city too has its share of events throughout the year, beginning with a New Year’s Eve First Night celebration through a number of summer festivals and art fairs, such as the annual Lakefront Arts Festival.

The Evanston Symphony Orchestra is a renowned and often honored ensemble that performs year-round and one of the more popular music venues, the Space concert hall is host to numerous performances and live recordings.

For those who enjoy the outdoors, the city’s location on the shores of Lake Michigan with its many parks and beaches, as well as running and cycling trails into Chicago, means a never-ending variety of opportunities to enjoy nature.

Finally, one of the city’s best-kept secrets is the plethora of great restaurants in Evanston and a growing number of local breweries. Restaurants like Prairie Moon, Pete Miller’s, Tapas Barcelona, and Campagnola offer some of the finest food to be found anywhere and breweries like Smylie Brothers and Temperance Beer Company have developed a loyal following for their craft beers.

Employment & Economy in Evanston, IL

Finding jobs in Evanston is certainly not a problem given the April 2019 unemployment rate of just 2.8%, no doubt due to the city’s healthy economy and the consistent hiring of its largest employers such as Evanston Township High School, NorthShore University Health System, City of Evanston, Rotary International, Saint Francis Hospital, Northwestern University, and Evanston-Skokie School District 65, all of which employ a total of nearly 20,000 people.

Education in Evanston, IL

Evanston public schools consistently rank as some of the best in the country and GreatSchools ranks the entire district with one of its highest ratings (8) and a number of its elementary schools with rankings of 10. Evanston Township High School, which serves the entire city, also ranks near the top in the GreatSchools rankings (8). In addition, one of the finest private schools (PK-12) in the nation, Roycemore, is located in the city.

Northwestern University is also right in the city, while Loyola University is just a couple miles from the city center, and this is just to name a few.

Tips for Renting in Evanston, IL

Apartments for rent in Evanston are governed by the city’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance, which is designed to “protect and promote the public health, safety and welfare of the City of Evanston's citizens, to establish rights and obligations of the landlord and the tenant in the rental of dwelling units and to encourage the landlord and the tenant to maintain and improve the quality of housing.”

Evanston has a very favorable Walkability Score (74), which means that car ownership is hardly necessary, and if you live in the downtown area everything is within walking distance. Being that Northwestern University is a major presence in the city, those who love the small-town college atmosphere, with its Big Ten sports and variety of cultural amenities, will gravitate easily to life in Evanston.

Before moving, ensure that you are familiar with your renter’s rights and well informed about the area, to prevent any trouble adapting to your new home.