Moving to Lake Forest, Illinois
Moving to Lake Forest? Compare cost of living, best neighborhoods, commute options, local jobs or schools, and things to do in this practical Illinois guide.
Lake County (North Shore) • Population: 19,600
About Lake Forest
Lake Forest is a lifestyle decision more than a typical suburb search result. Buyers come here for estate-scale housing, lakefront access, historic architecture, and a North Shore environment built around privacy, landscape, and long-term prestige. The practical question is less whether it is beautiful, because it is, and more whether that level of cost and quiet residential intensity matches the life you actually want. For households seeking top-end suburban Illinois, Lake Forest remains one of the clearest benchmarks.
Best For
- Affluent households seeking one of Illinois' most prestigious residential environments
- Buyers who value architecture, landscape, and a quieter lake-adjacent lifestyle
- Families who want high-end schools and privacy more than urban convenience
- People choosing a country-club or estate-style North Shore routine
Things to Do in Lake Forest
Market Square
Historic shopping district.
Lake Michigan beaches
Beautiful lakefront parks.
Ragdale Foundation
Artist residency and grounds.
Openlands Lakeshore Preserve
Nature area.
Neighborhoods
Lakefront estates
Best for buyers prioritizing shoreline prestige, large homes, and signature North Shore scenery.
West Lake Forest
Often the comparison point for households who want the zip code and schools with somewhat broader housing options.
Living in Lake Forest: Estate-Scale North Shore Living, With Zoning That Keeps It That Way
Lake Forest is a small city, about 19,600 people, built deliberately around large lots: parts of town are zoned for a five-acre minimum, and typical home values run over $1 million. Market Square, built in 1916, is widely credited as the first planned shopping center in the United States, and the town still centers on that Arts and Crafts-style core. Elawa Farm (a 1917 estate for the Armour meatpacking family) and Lake Forest Open Lands' 930 acres across ten preserves give it more protected green space than most Illinois suburbs its size.
Both school districts, elementary District 67 and Lake Forest High School's District 115, hold AAA bond ratings and are considered among the strongest in the state. The honest tradeoff is housing diversity: only about 11 percent of units are renter-occupied, rental stock is small-scale with almost no studios, and the city's own planning documents acknowledge that rising values have discouraged a mixed housing stock. The Metra Union Pacific North line runs about 50 to 75 minutes to Ogilvie depending on the train.
Who Usually Likes It Here
- Budget is not the deciding factor and you want estate-scale lots, protected open land, and top-rated schools in one place.
- You want genuine lakefront-adjacent North Shore character built around a historic, walkable town center.
- You are buying, not renting; the rental market here is small and skews toward one- and two-bedroom units.
What to Think Through
- !This is one of the most expensive housing markets in Illinois; typical home values run over $1 million.
- !The rental stock is genuinely thin, so if you need to rent first, expect a short list of options.
- !Beach access for non-residents requires a fee or an annual parking sticker; check current rules before assuming lake access is automatic.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Forest
Is Lake Forest a good place to live in Illinois?
Lake Forest can be a strong fit depending on budget, commute needs, and lifestyle priorities. Review local housing costs, daily travel routes, and neighborhood fit before deciding.
What should I compare before moving to Lake Forest?
This is one of the most expensive housing markets in Illinois; typical home values run over $1 million.
What is the cost of living like in Lake Forest?
Median Home Price is around $1.2M+. Average Rent (1BR) is around $1,800. The real monthly fit still depends on taxes, commute, childcare, and how much of your routine happens in or outside Lake Forest.
What are popular areas in Lake Forest?
Popular areas in Lake Forest usually balance commute convenience, school access, and nearby amenities. Start with neighborhoods listed on this page and compare recent local market trends.
What is Lake Forest known for?
Lake Forest is a small city, about 19,600 people, built deliberately around large lots: parts of town are zoned for a five-acre minimum, and typical home values run over $1 million. Market Square, built in 1916, is widely credited as the first planned shopping center in the United States, and the town still centers on that Arts and Crafts-style core. Elawa Farm (a 1917 estate for the Armour meatpacking family) and Lake Forest Open Lands' 930 acres across ten preserves give it more protected green space than most Illinois suburbs its size.
Quick Facts
- Median Home Price
- $1.2M+
- Average Rent (1BR)
- $1,800
- Schools
- Lake Forest District 67, LFHS
- Character
- Old money, historic estates
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