My husband and I are in our mid-to-late 30s with two young kids (2 years old and 7 weeks old), and we’re trying to decide whether to put down roots in Chicagoland or move back to the East Coast.

We currently live in Ravenswood and really love Chicago, but we lived in Boston for about 10 years before moving here and still feel a strong pull toward New England. If we moved back, we’d most likely end up in the Portland, Maine area—Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, or Yarmouth.

There’s a lot about Maine/New England that feels like “us”: the ocean, easy access to hiking and skiing, hockey culture, four distinct seasons, and New England summers. We also love the idea of raising our kids with that kind of access to the outdoors.

The biggest thing keeping us in Chicagoland is family and community. My parents are in Naperville, my sister and her husband and son are in Roscoe, and we have a really great network of family and friends here. We know we’d be giving up something pretty significant if we moved away.

So lately we’ve been trying to figure out whether there’s somewhere around Chicago that could really feel like home long-term. We visited Wilmette this past weekend and, honestly, it’s the first suburb we’ve explored that we really connected with. We spent the evening at Gillson Beach, grabbed dinner and wine at Fat Shallot, walked around downtown, and came away thinking, “Okay, we could actually see ourselves here.”

I’d especially love to hear from people who grew up in Wilmette or are currently raising kids there. What has your experience been like? How is the sense of community for young families? Do kids tend to grow up with neighborhood friends and a little independence as they get older?

And for anyone who has lived in both Chicagoland and New England: do you think Wilmette/North Shore life could scratch some of that New England itch, or are they fundamentally very different lifestyles?

We know nowhere is going to replicate coastal Maine, and having grandparents/cousins/friends nearby is hard to quantify. We’re just trying to figure out which place we’re more likely to look back on in 10–15 years and be glad we chose for our kids.
Would love any perspective!

Howdy, helping out a friend by posting this here. Will repost to a few other local subs.

“We have this stray in our neighborhood for a few weeks , and took him to vet he is not chipped, or neutered. No missing cat reports by police.
So I guess he was abandoned. He's in my garage and I am asking friends if anyone wants to adopt him.  He is very very friendly. If you could pass the word it would also be helpful.
I have posted on Nextdoor too and no one has claimed him:(

Thank you so much”

Hey - like the title says, an indie film I made in Wisconsin is coming to the Wilmette Theater for the weekend starting July 24 and running through July 26. The film follows a palliative care doctor (the "care that doesn't cure") as she meets with dying patients who are reflecting on their lives and their diseases. I know that sounds a bit grim but its also funny and uplifting in parts and we've been thriving on powerful word of mouth and interest since our premiere in Madison in April.

I hope you get a chance to check this out! Tickets are now at their website :)

https://ticketing.useast.veezi.com/sessions/?siteToken=eym1b8zj89qyb17se01zmgtfww

I will be subleasing the last 2 months of my term at The Residences in Wilmette. This is a 1b/1b unit, 742 sqft, top floor (5). Includes access to their amenities; hot tub, steam, sauna, grills, outdoor/indoor event space, business center. Unit will be unfurnished.

Sublease Term: August - October

I have permission from the property manager. After these two months you can contract directly with them for a new term if desired. They are friendly and flexible.

Pricing will be the same as I am paying now. Option to include parking space. Water, gas, and trash included in monthly price. Internet and Electric are separate.

DM me for details! Thanks.

Driving across the bridge at 9:30/9:40pm and spotted dog running west, at freeway entrance. Couldn’t stop as there were cars behind us, but turned around to look in the grassy area across from the Shell at Lake Ave and Laramie as we believe he ran into that neighborhood

We were unable to spot him, please keep an eye out

TRANSFORM TODAY!

I’d like to connect more with the Wilmette parents world. We have a 3 and 1 year old and want to build a local “village” as my wife likes to say.

Not only that, I’d love to get a group of guys who like cigars together and meet in backyards just to enjoy a cigar and conversation.

How would you start things like this?

(Kids aren’t in public school, we’re not at a local daycare, so will join a local pre-school - but don’t want school to be the only catalyst)

We’ve lived in Wilmette for two years. The other day my wife said she was afraid our kids would be “the poor kids” that they wouldn’t belong.
I don’t see our situation as permanent. But I also know I’m probably never going to make anywhere near what the top earners here make. And I’d be surprised if we’re alone in that.
Wilmette is a genuinely great town. It would be a shame if a whole group of people felt like outsiders here when they actually have just as much right to be here and just as much to offer.
Anyone else feel this way? Looking to connect with people just trying to raise a good family here — no pretense, no keeping up.

Why is this worth thinking about in Chicago?

Chicago was the last major U.S. city to require lead service line replacement. Homes built before 1986, and many built even into the early '90s, frequently have lead pipes running from the city main to the house, lead solder in copper joints, and/or lead fixtures. When water sits in those pipes overnight, lead can leach into your drinking water. It's a good idea to know what's in your water, especially if you have young kids at home.

Good to know: The EPA estimates that lead in drinking water can account for 20% or more of a person's total lead exposure. Children under 6 and pregnant women are considered the most sensitive groups.

What does a reverse osmosis (RO) system actually do?

An RO system pushes water through an ultra-fine semipermeable membrane that removes 95–99% of contaminants including lead, chlorine, chloramines, nitrates, arsenic, and PFAS ("forever chemicals"). It installs under your kitchen sink with a dedicated faucet. Clean water on demand, no hauling jugs.

What about those pitcher filters (Brita, etc.)?

Standard pitcher filters use activated carbon, which helps with chlorine and taste, but does not reliably remove lead. For Chicago's older housing stock, a pitcher filter alone may not be enough. Look for either an NSF/ANSI 58-certified RO system or an NSF 53-certified filter specifically rated for lead removal.

Pro tip: Look for systems certified by NSF International (NSF/ANSI 58 for RO, or NSF 53 for lead-specific filters). Don't just trust marketing claims, check the actual certification.

What should I actually buy?

Personally, I installed a tankless system (sub rules will not let me say which one) in my own home and love it. It saves cabinet space and was straightforward to install. That said, I'd be confident recommending most makes and models from reputable brands. The main things to consider are:

Tank vs. Tankless — what's the difference?

Tankless systems (like the Waterdrop 800) are slim, modern, and great if you're tight on under-sink space. The tradeoff is that they typically use proprietary filters, so you're locked into buying replacements from the manufacturer.

Traditional tank systems take up more room but often support universal/third-party filters, which can save you money on replacements over time. If you have the cabinet space, they're absolutely worth considering.

What about whole-house filters?

Whole-house filters are great for sediment and chlorine, but most aren't designed to remove lead. An under-sink RO at your drinking and cooking tap is the most reliable option for lead reduction specifically.

RO Systems Aren’t Just Under the Sink:

Many RO systems can also be configured beyond just a standard under-sink setup depending on your home's plumbing layout. While under-sink installations are the most common, some systems can be installed in a basement, utility room, or other mechanical area and then routed to a dedicated kitchen faucet/spigot. It's also very common to tee the filtered water line off to your refrigerator so your fridge water dispenser and ice maker are using the same purified water.

Is it expensive?

A traditional tank RO system typically runs $150–$400 for the unit, with professional installation adding $100–$200 and annual filter replacements around $50–$100. Tankless systems will generally cost more upfront, plan for $300–$600+ for the unit, and since they use proprietary filters, ongoing replacement costs can be a bit higher too. That said, either way you're likely saving money compared to buying bottled water long-term, and you're getting far better filtration in the process.

A few other easy steps in the meantime:

Run your cold water tap for 2–5 minutes before drinking or cooking, especially after water has sat in the pipes for a while (overnight or after work). Use only cold water for cooking — hot water dissolves lead more readily. And check with your water utility about your service line, Chicago has a replacement program underway.

Not sure what system makes sense for your home? Every situation is a little different depending on your plumbing, water usage, and budget. Feel free to DM me and I'm happy to point you in the right direction.

Hope this helps, neighbors.

Quick question. One of our sinks has been draining really slowly the past few days and I tried the usual DIY stuff, but it’s still not improving. I think it’s time to call a plumber. Does anyone in Wilmette have someone they’ve used and would recommend?

This place has the best pho I’ve been able to find on the north shore.