Moving From Lincoln Park or Lakeview to the North Shore: What Changes?
Moving from Lincoln Park or Lakeview to Chicago’s North Shore is more than an opportunity to trade a condo for a home. These buyers gain extra bedrooms, backyard space, and storage, but may also take on a longer commute, more maintenance responsibilities, and less flexible days filled with errands and fitness classes.
It is a matter of evaluating what matters most about life in the city and which opportunities may appear attractive nearby. Taking these differences into account is crucial to choosing the community rather than a home per se.
The Biggest Change Is Daily Scale
Dining out, working out, shopping, commuting, and visiting friends—all within a few blocks of Lincoln Park or Lakeview are a part of the area’s appeal. While a North Shore community can also possess downtown destinations, buyers need to adjust to destinations being further away and requiring a car.
Some people grow accustomed to driving, while others prefer living in a North Shore neighborhood near a train station or downtown retail district. Buyers should think about the full workflow and consider not only the distance to the office, but also to shopping, the fitness center, the restaurant where the group is meeting for dinner, and the home itself.
How Much More Space Can Buyers Expect?
The move is an opportunity to acquire a yard, an attached or detached garage, a basement, and extra bedrooms. This is also a chance for a person who lives in a Lincoln Park or Lakeview condo to obtain a home office, guest room or even a mudroom.
A buyer may also encounter challenges of extra square footage not being distributed in an optimal way and being forced to occupy an underused space such as lower-level bonus rooms or older additions. The North Shore’s suburbs include a collection of older properties with formal living rooms compared to efficiency-oriented condos, and buyers must consider how the square footage is divided among various rooms, all of which will see regular use.
Housing Styles Vary
Lincoln Park and Lakeview buyers know vintage condos, courtyard buildings, townhomes, lofts, and narrow single-family houses. The North Shore’s suburbs augment this inventory with Colonials, Tudors, ranches, mid-century designs, Victorians, and spacious custom homes.
Age and construction methods dictate repair and renovation needs: Older homes require masonry repairs, electrical service upgrades, and window replacement; and mid-century properties feature unique materials that call for restoration expertise. Buyers should understand that suburban single-family homes do not possess uniform repair and renovation costs and budget accordingly to the square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and the age of the property.
Walkability Becomes More Specific
A buyer moving from Lakeview to Evanston, Wilmette, or Winnetka can still experience a walkable town where restaurants and shopping districts are within a stroll and public transportation is a short drive away. However, a larger home in a less downtown location will require driving to reach any destination, and buyers should use a walk test to qualify such a location beforehand.
A property a mile away from downtown or a train station is much farther than city buyers are accustomed to and should be assessed during the day instead of waiting for a weekend showing. Prospective buyers should take a close look at the sidewalks and the traffic lights along the way to the grocery store, the restaurant where the out-of-town guests are going to be fed, and everywhere in between.
“The biggest mistake city buyers make is comparing homes without comparing routines. A larger North Shore property may offer more space and privacy, but buyers also need to test the commute, understand maintenance costs, and decide how much walkability they are willing to trade.”–Jake McClure, Team Leader/Real Estate Broker
Commuting Requires More Planning
A city commute revolves around the CTA, buses, cycling, or a short rideshare. Making the move to the North Shore means relying less on these modes of transportation and using either Metra or the highways instead. A commuter train or carpooling makes sense depending on the town, but the experience varies dramatically depending on the length of the drive or how far one must be from the station.
Buyers must assess the weekday schedule and the impact of driving or biking to the train station, finding a space to park, and getting from the downtown terminal to the office. Even a pleasant half-hour train ride can become an ordeal if the parking lot and the road from the train station to the workplace present unique challenges.
Will Ownership Costs Change?
Insurance, tax obligations, and potential repair and renovation costs should be compared to the buyer’s current condo fees: Larger square footage, extra bathrooms, mature trees and planting, and an extended heating and cooling area all factor into calculations on the North Shore as compared to a city dwelling. City condo owners typically have hefty associations maintaining common elements, so this does not always simplify the equation. Prospective buyers should conduct a thorough analysis of the year-round costs of ownership to compare the expenses associated with a single-family home and a condo.
More Home Often Equals More Responsibilities
A single-family dwelling possesses more perks, but also places higher demands on those who maintain the home’s exterior. Gutter cleaning, driveway repair, trimming trees, and exterior house painting fall on the homeowner rather than a condo association. Buyers should analyze all of the systems that will require regular inspections and maintenance, as well as the upkeep of the sewer lines, basement, grading, and drainage, to avoid costly repairs and water damage later. A well-maintained older home often proves a far more desirable option than a recently built one with neglected structural issues.
Which North Shore Community Fits Your Routine?
Buyers who prefer a more urban feel may begin their search in Evanston or the areas near established downtown districts. Those set on large lots, residential streets, or specific architectural styles may explore the North Shore farther to the north. Buyers need to examine commuting options in tandem with financial and design preferences and tour more than just the real estate in a given community. Buyers who visit a North Shore town during the day will obtain a more realistic perspective of the area than those who only view homes on a weekend morning.
The Move Changes More Than the Address
Leaving Lincoln Park or Lakeview for the North Shore will give buyers more room for hobbies, entertaining, and outdoor living. It will also require adjusting to the North Shore’s suburbs, replacing some of the city’s conveniences with planning, driving, and maintenance. Burling Square Group can guide potential buyers through considerations for comparing the North Shore’s towns, as well as its ownership costs, before choosing the home that best complements their desired lifestyle without the city. Reach out to the professionals at Burling Square Group if you are interested in relocating to the North Shore Chicago area from Lakeview or Lincoln Park in Illinois today.
What Do Buyers Ask About Moving to the North Shore?
Q: Will I need a car after moving to the North Shore?
A: Most buyers require a car, although the amount of driving depends on the town and the property location. Buyers should think about how often they and their guests will go to a restaurant, the doctor, the fitness center, and their favorite weekend destination rather than evaluating only the distance to the office.
Q: Are North Shore homes more expensive to maintain than city condos?
A: They can require more maintenance since the owners are responsible for the entire structure and the lot. Condos’ assessments often include expenditures related to exterior maintenance, snow removal, and landscaping. It is important to compare them to the costs a buyer would encounter in the city.
Q: Should buyers sell their city property before purchasing?
A: The answer depends on the financing, savings, and ability to carry two mortgages. It is important to talk to the lender and a real estate agent about sale contingencies, bridge financing options, and current market conditions before choosing to buy a new home and then attempt to resell it back.
Q: How can buyers choose between North Shore towns?
A: It is important to begin with the most important buyers’ criteria and go from there. Once the buyer narrows in on the commuting options, the financial range, and housing style, he or she can dedicate more time in the new communities on ordinary weekdays and on the weekends. It is helpful to visit not only the real estate, restaurants, and shops but also the train stations and grocery stores in order to understand the nuances of day-to-day life in a North Shore suburb.