Northwestern University - Evanston Campus

northwestern university is the only private institution that belongs to the big ten conference.  founded in 1851, it was established on a giant tract of land purchased by john evans, for whom the town of evanston was later named.  its stately and scenic 240-acre evanston campus stretches out along the shore of lake michigan, about 12 miles north of downtown chicago.  (the northwestern medical and law schools, as well as a division of the business school that serves part-time students, are located in the streeterville neighborhood of chicago, but the remainder of the campus (for the most part) is situated in the city of evanston, primarily north of clark street and east of orrington avenue.

"downtown" evanston is south of the campus, and, yes, the city of evanston is much more than just a college town.  it has several commercial centers, beautiful single-family homes, new and vintage apartment buildings, and outstanding commuting options for folks who work in chicago.  it's a mash-up of university students, radical high-schoolers, young professionals, families, and empty-nesters.  it also has a generous helping of norman rockwell charm.  evanston offers an imposing multiplex theater with 18 screens, hundreds of national and local shops and restaurants, seven (count 'em, seven) el stops on the purple line (which runs express to the loop during rush hour), three metra stops, and ample bus service all over town, both cta and pace.  as an added bonus, old orchard shopping mall is just a short drive away.

perhaps the most eclectic district of evanston hugs central street, in the northwest quarter of the city, not far from ryan field (home of the northwestern wildcats football team).  central street features a diverse collection of locally-owned specialty shops, antique stores, art galleries, and restaurants.  it’s also the scene of a bustling parade every fourth of july.  residents literally reserve their spaces by setting up chairs along central street several days before the festivities.  along dempster street and main street there are hundreds more exciting and even offbeat businesses catering to your every need.  chicago avenue (the continuation of clark street from the city of chicago) cuts right through the heart of the city and connects it all together.