Father Marquette's guide wasn't mistaken. And the town remains much the same today. Many Chicago families, too, seek out Winnetka for the quality of its schools, the low crime rate and the overall quality of life. What they sacrifice in the exchange is a considerable degree of ethnic diversity, but the town's strong sense of community eases many parents' minds. The town's public education system has received its share of accolades.
Some beaches are private, adding to the exclusive air the town exudes.
Its supply of beachfront land means that homes with lake views are common. Lot sizes tend to be fairly small, particularly in proportion to the homes that sit upon them. The result is a series of large houses very close together. In order to accommodate local wealth, banks, luxury real estate agencies and brokerages, and fine retail shops have sprung up left and right in Winnetka, all of them laid out in a quaint village-like atmosphere. Written by Courtney Ronan Click here for a printer-friendly version of this article.