10 Best Independent Living Communities in Evanston, IL

 

Learn More About Independent Living in Evanston, IL

 

Evanston is a college town just outside of Chicago on the north shore of Lake Michigan. Home to Northwestern University, the city is known for its architecture and its gorgeous lakefront views.

Independent living communities — also known simply as retirement communities — in Evanston, Illinois are geared towards seniors who are able to live on their own, without daily assistance, and prefer to live among people their age. This usually means residents are self-sufficient and do not require hands-on care. Think of Evanston retirement communities as age-restricted (typically 55+) complexes, which provide organized activities, meal services, and transportation.

Cost of Independent Living in Evanston, IL

The median monthly cost of independent living in Evanston is about $3,400 in the city proper and $2,200 within the metropolitan area. The median monthly cost of independent living in the state of Illinois is around $2,300.

 

Learn More About Evanston, IL

 

Cost of Living

 

The cost of living in Evanston is rated slightly lower than the national average in most categories. The city enjoys a relatively average cost for essentials like food and health care.

Index Scores

All index scores are based on a scale that has the national average set at 100. A score of 200 indicates that the cost is two times greater than the national average, while a score of 50 indicates that the cost is half the average.

Household Expenses	Health Care	Insurance	Entertainment	Grocery	Clothing
98	96	101	97	94	98

 

Income and Housing

Median income age 45-64	Median income age 65+	Median household income	Average individual income	Median employee salary	Average property tax	One-bedroom apartment gross rent estimate
$95,703 per year	$67,444 per year	$75,925 per year	$49,109 per year	$44,707 per year	$8,114 per year	$1,055 per month

 

 

Local Hospitals

 

The top hospitals that service Evanston, IL include:

Evanston Hospital

• Facility type: comprehensive acute care facility
• Bed count: 750+
• Specialties: palliative care, primary stroke center, Level I trauma center, high-risk obstetrics

Presence Saint Francis Hospital

• Facility type: short-term acute care facility
• Bed count: 180+
• Specialties: primary stroke center, women’s health

Swedish Covenant Hospital

• Facility type: comprehensive acute care facility
• Bed count: 300+
• Specialties: primary care, emergency room services

 

 

Weather and Climate

 

Evanston’s climate is classified as hot summer continental, which means the city experiences four distinct seasons with widely varying temperatures. The summers in the city tend to be hot and muggy while the winters are usually cold and snowy. The average humidity level is 69%, and humidity levels are often highest during December at about 76%

 

Seasonal Temperatures

January Average	January Maximum	January Minimum
22°F	30.2°F	13.7°F

 

July Average	July Maximum	July Minimum
72.9°F	83.2°F	62.5°F

 

Air Quality

• Relative Air Quality Index: 102

This index is based on a scale that has the national average set at 100. A score of 200 indicates twice the presence of air pollutants than the national average, while a score of 50 indicates half the presence.

Precipitation

• Average Annual Precipitation: 36.8”

 

 

Demographics and Values

 

Population Statistics

Median age	Percent of population over 65	Population	Population Density	Average Household Size
35.8	14.7%	77,618	9,977.6 per square mile	2.27

 

Race & Ethnicity

American Indian or Alaskan Native	Asian	Black	Hispanic or Latino	Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	White (not Hispanic or Latino)
0.1%	9.3%	16.6%	11.8%	<0.1%	3.8%	59.4%

These figures were taken from the most recent U.S. Census.

 

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity

These scores were taken from the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index.

• Non-discrimination laws in Chicago: 30/30
• Overall inclusivity: 100/100

 

2016 Presidential Election

Democratic	Republican	Other
74.4%	21.4%	4.2%

 

 

Arts, Culture, Entertainment, and Recreation

 

Evanston is a charming university town located just outside of Chicago on the north shore of Lake Michigan. The city has a long history of social activism, and many of the city’s residents consider themselves liberal. Evanston is also home to Northwestern University, which is one of the premiere research universities in the world.

Northwestern hosts a number of art and cultural events both on campus and throughout the city. The university is also in charge of operating the Block Museum of Art. Other popular museums in the city include the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, the Halim Time & Glass Museum, and the American Toby Jug Museum. Those interested in learning more about the area’s local history can take tours of the Charles Gates Dawes House and the Frances Willard House Museum. Both properties offer extensive historical tours and classes that illustrate Evanston’s history and architecture.

Evanston also has a number of great parks and public beaches that dot the shore of Lake Michigan. Lee Street Beach, Montrose Beach, and Clark Street Beach are all popular locations for taking in the warm summer sun. The Evanston Ecology Center and Ladd Arboretum are also great places to enjoy nature and learn more about Lake Michigan’s biodiversity.

 

Transportation

Public transportation in Evanston is provided by three different transit agencies. Metra provides commuter rail services to the greater Chicago area on the Union Pacific North Line. The Chicago Transit Authority provides bus service to Chicago proper, while Pace provides service to the surrounding suburbs.