Tweedy in the NYTimes

[LouieB]

now works/lives[?] in Evanston, which I am not familiar with at all.

 

 

Oak Park is .... the urban feel of a city - not to mention the plethora of great ethnic restaurants - with the safety and somewhat-small-town-feel of a suburb.

This convo should be in the what to do in Chicago thread actually. Both Evanston and Oak Park are inner ring suburbs that I mention there and are definitely worth visiting. Both are close and have great stuff to do and even some night life. Both are very diverse as well. I am particularly a fan of Evanston (and there are places to stay there too) since I live a mile or so from its border and have spent alot of time there.

 

Naperville, being on the far edge (though not as far as it used to be with much development going in in Kane, Lake and even McHenry and DeKalb counties) and isn't the kind of place you want to be if you are interested in interfacing with city life.

 

LouieB

[cryptique]

My favorite uncle moved to Arlington Heights last fall for a job, and I was ECSTATIC because he lived somewhat close to Mitsuwa Marketplace and Ikea, which meant fun visits. He quit the silly job quite a few months ago [crazy electrical engineers and their 'consulting' stuff...] and now works/lives[?] in Evanston, which I am not familiar with at all.

 

Evanston is about 100x cooler. Plus, you can jump on the el and be in the city pretty quickly.

[LouieB]

Evanston is about 100x cooler. Plus, you can jump on the el and be in the city pretty quickly.

While this is true, Arlington Heights does have some pluses, such as the affore mentioned closeness to Ikea/Woodfield and the Japanese mall, a groovy racetrack, a downtown that was recently redevelped with nice restaurants and theaters, more affordable housing prices than Naperville, very good schools, and a diverse community. I have probably forgotten a thing or two, and while I am not moving there, I would choose Arlington Heights over Naperville if I had to choose.

 

LouieB