What is Evanston IL like?

[Anonymous]

But OP, why do you ask?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is grittier than Bethesda.
I would argue it is farther from Chicago than “downtown” Bethesda is to DC.

You don't need to hang out in downtown. That is where most of the business bdlgs are and is probably empty now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At Evanston,

women students must deal with the predatory culture. “Survey show that experiences of sexual harassment and violence overwhelmingly affect undergraduate females.”

https://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/on-no...their-role-in-sexual-violence/

First, you're citing data that's almost seven years old (it's from a 2015 survey). Second, the overwhelming effect on UG females you're referencing is compared to graduate males, graduate females and UG males on campus. It has no relation whatsoever to overall rates of harassment and violence.

Second, you missed the whole point of that article which is that the University's Men Against Rape and Sexual Assault group is working to raise awareness and change the statistics.

https://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/on-northwesterns-campus-men-addressing-their-role-in-sexual-violence/

FWIW, I liked Evanston. I know nothing about Bethesda, and have seen only limited parts of College Park (mostly areas immediately adjacent to UMD) but the area of Evanston around NU is much nicer, IMO. And I never felt unsafe during the two years I was there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is grittier than Bethesda.
I would argue it is farther from Chicago than “downtown” Bethesda is to DC.

This. We visited NU last summer and took the train from Chicago. Yes, it was the weekend but we had to change once and it took a long time. Definitely not Bethesda to Downtown DC---that is a much shorter commute. It is not that connected. More like Baltimore to DC. Though Baltimore and Evanston are very different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But OP, why do you ask?

DD i(UMD grad) s getting ready to commit to a grad program. There are so many things to think about! Evanston seems like a really nice place to live and learn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Heard it’s a college town, but sounds pretty urban. Is it kind of like Bethesda (if Bethesda had a university)?

I’m a person who went to Northwestern and hated it. But it’s a fine school, just not for me, and Evanston is a beautiful, walkable, suburban kind of place. Any student who can handle walking around Bethesda, Chevy Chase or Cambridge, Mass., can handle Evanston. Some might find it a little dull.

The places in downtown Chicago where Northwestern has facilities are probably more at risk but are very aggressively guarded and probably very safe. I’ve never looked at the stats, but I’ve never had problems around there and never thought to look up the stats.

To me, it feels as if Adams Morgan — which, of course, is seen as lovely — is a little rougher than Evanston. Street people have followed me around in Adams Morgan, but never anywhere in Chicago.

On the other hand, I’m a short white woman. It seems possible that Evanston and downtown Chicago feel safe because of highly aggressive policing. Those might not be the most comfortable places for people of color or for any guys who dress down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Heard it’s a college town, but sounds pretty urban. Is it kind of like Bethesda (if Bethesda had a university)?

I’m a person who went to Northwestern and hated it. But it’s a fine school, just not for me, and Evanston is a beautiful, walkable, suburban kind of place. Any student who can handle walking around Bethesda, Chevy Chase or Cambridge, Mass., can handle Evanston. Some might find it a little dull.

The places in downtown Chicago where Northwestern has facilities are probably more at risk but are very aggressively guarded and probably very safe. I’ve never looked at the stats, but I’ve never had problems around there and never thought to look up the stats.

To me, it feels as if Adams Morgan — which, of course, is seen as lovely — is a little rougher than Evanston. Street people have followed me around in Adams Morgan, but never anywhere in Chicago.

On the other hand, I’m a short white woman. It seems possible that Evanston and downtown Chicago feel safe because of highly aggressive policing. Those might not be the most comfortable places for people of color or for any guys who dress down.

?? Northwestern's downtown campus is in one of the toniest/most touristy/most wealthiest neighborhoods in Chicago.

[Anonymous]

Home Alone was not filmed in Evanston- it was filmed in Winnetka. Like complaining Silver Spring to Chevy Chase.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But OP, why do you ask?

DD i(UMD grad) s getting ready to commit to a grad program. There are so many things to think about! Evanston seems like a really nice place to live and learn.

It's an excellent place for grad school. I know a couple of PhDs from Northwestern who pine for the place and speak of the place fondly (though it certainly has its downsides). Keep in mind the cold winter!! But that lake view is utterly romantic, and the campus is gooooorgeous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is grittier than Bethesda.
I would argue it is farther from Chicago than “downtown” Bethesda is to DC.

This. We visited NU last summer and took the train from Chicago. Yes, it was the weekend but we had to change once and it took a long time. Definitely not Bethesda to Downtown DC---that is a much shorter commute. It is not that connected. More like Baltimore to DC. Though Baltimore and Evanston are very different.

No, you just don't fully understand Chicago yet, I think. It's more distributed and the cultural parts The loop is the business district and is kind of boring--though some improvements along the lake shore. The museums etc. are mainly on the nearish south lakeshore part and are spread out and create a bit of culture. But a lot of the venues, restaurants, nightlife, boutiques, galleries, small museums etc. are on the north side and blend into the south part of Evanston. The Sheridan bus is a straighter route to that part and you can get a better sense of the connection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At Evanston,

women students must deal with the predatory culture. “Survey show that experiences of sexual harassment and violence overwhelmingly affect undergraduate females.”

https://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/on-no...their-role-in-sexual-violence/

First, you're citing data that's almost seven years old (it's from a 2015 survey). Second, the overwhelming effect on UG females you're referencing is compared to graduate males, graduate females and UG males on campus. It has no relation whatsoever to overall rates of harassment and violence.

Second, you missed the whole point of that article which is that the University's Men Against Rape and Sexual Assault group is working to raise awareness and change the statistics.

https://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/on-northwesterns-campus-men-addressing-their-role-in-sexual-violence/

FWIW, I liked Evanston. I know nothing about Bethesda, and have seen only limited parts of College Park (mostly areas immediately adjacent to UMD) but the area of Evanston around NU is much nicer, IMO. And I never felt unsafe during the two years I was there.

Any time a university needs “Men Against Rape and Sexual Assault group“, you are off on the wrong foot. Why the hell does a university need a group like this? And no, it’s not old news:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2021/10/01/education/fraternities-rape-sexual-assault.amp.html

[Anonymous]

The YouTube video is great! Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But OP, why do you ask?

DD i(UMD grad) s getting ready to commit to a grad program. There are so many things to think about! Evanston seems like a really nice place to live and learn.

It's an excellent place for grad school. I know a couple of PhDs from Northwestern who pine for the place and speak of the place fondly (though it certainly has its downsides). Keep in mind the cold winter!! But that lake view is utterly romantic, and the campus is gooooorgeous.

I loved Evanston as an undergrad. For a graduate student, it might be a little less exciting than living in one of the many awesome neighborhoods in Chicago proper. But, there are plenty of cool apartments in Evanston, it's close enough to Chicago, etc.

South Evanston can be a little dicey, definitely more so than Bethesda. I had a few less pleasant experiences there. But, it's also easy enough to avoid, mostly.

[Anonymous]

Is Evanston nicer/safer than West Philly?

[Anonymous]

I have a good friend who works in Chicago and lives in Evanston. I've visited a few times and I think it's cute. The housing is pricy (at least where they are) and it reminded me a little of Del Ray in Alexandria.