Moving to Lake Forest, Illinois: A Comprehensive Relocation Guide
Considering moving to Lake Forest, Illinois? This prestigious North Shore city offers lakefront estates, historic beauty, and ultimate exclusivity. With approximately 19,000 residents in 2025, Lake Forest combines old-money wealth with natural beauty and Chicagoland’s most exclusive address.
Demographic Profile to Consider If Moving to Lake Forest:
Lake Forest’s 2025 population is approximately 19,000 residents in this Lake County city 30 miles north of Chicago along Lake Michigan. The median age is around 45 years, with extremely affluent families, executives, old-money residents, and professionals. The population is approximately 89% White, 5% Asian, 3% Hispanic. Lake Forest features stunning lakefront estates, Market Square (historic downtown designed by Howard Van Doren Shaw), ravines creating dramatic landscape, Lake Forest College campus, and represents old-money North Shore at its finest. The city attracts ultra-wealthy families, corporate executives, old-money residents, and those seeking the North Shore’s ultimate address. Lake Forest appeals to extremely high-earning, educated residents valuing exclusivity, history, and natural beauty. The community emphasizes historic preservation, exclusivity, education, and maintaining premier status.
Cost of Living to Consider If Moving to Lake Forest:
Lake Forest represents the ultimate premium pricing for Chicagoland. Median home values range from $850,000 to $2 million+ in 2025, with lakefront estates commanding $5-20+ million, reflecting the city’s status as the North Shore’s most exclusive address. The median household income exceeds $200,000. Rental properties are limited and expensive. Illinois’ state income tax is flat 4.95%. Property taxes are astronomical. Overall cost of living reflects Lake Forest’s status as Chicagoland’s most prestigious city. The city attracts extremely wealthy families and old-money residents. Housing costs create extreme exclusivity. The combination of lakefront, historic estates, top schools, and ultimate prestige justifies Chicagoland’s highest pricing.
Economy and Job Market:
Lake Forest residents typically work in Chicago as C-suite executives, successful business owners, or are independently wealthy. Many hold top leadership positions at major corporations, own substantial businesses, or come from generational wealth. Lake Forest Hospital (Northwestern Medicine) provides healthcare employment. Lake Forest College employs faculty and staff. The broader Chicagoland economy provides opportunities. Typical commute times to Chicago via Metra are 50-65 minutes. The ultra-affluent population includes corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, and old-money families. Many residents work in senior executive management, private equity, law, medicine, and own businesses.
Education:
Lake Forest Community High School District 115 and Lake Forest School District 67 serve city students with Lake Forest High School ranking among Illinois’ elite schools with exceptional resources. The schools serve an extremely affluent, educated population. Lake Forest College (prestigious liberal arts) and Barat College add academic atmosphere. Many families also choose elite private schools. The outstanding public schools combined with private options attract families specifically for educational excellence with unlimited resources.
Recreation and Lifestyle:
Lake Forest offers spectacular lakefront with Forest Park Beach, miles of ravines and forest preserves creating unique topography, Market Square’s charming historic downtown with upscale shopping and dining, and Lake Forest Open Lands preserving natural beauty. Residents enjoy Onwentsia Club and other exclusive private clubs, Lake Forest College cultural programming, and stunning architecture including historic estates. The lifestyle emphasizes old-money elegance, lakefront activities, historic preservation, privacy, and sophisticated living. The dramatic ravines and mature trees create unparalleled natural beauty. The community fiercely values historic preservation (architectural review ensures quality), exclusivity, natural beauty, education, and maintaining status as the North Shore’s premier address. Living in Lake Forest means extreme costs, old-money atmosphere, accepting that it’s Chicagoland’s most exclusive community, and prioritizing ultimate prestige while enjoying lakefront estates, Market Square charm, and unparalleled natural beauty defining the North Shore’s most prestigious city where old money meets natural elegance.
Healthcare and Services:
Lake Forest residents access world-class healthcare through Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital and facilities throughout the North Shore. The ultra-affluent population ensures access to the world’s best healthcare providers and specialists.
Transportation:
Lake Forest benefits from Metra Union Pacific North Line providing train service to Chicago with multiple Lake Forest stations, Interstate 94, and Sheridan Road. Pace operates very limited suburban bus routes. Most residents use personal vehicles, often luxury models. Market Square offers walkability. Typical commute times to Chicago via Metra are 50-65 minutes, by car 45-75 minutes depending on traffic.
Conclusion:
Moving to Lake Forest in 2025 offers ultimate North Shore prestige with lakefront estates, historic beauty, and old-money exclusivity. The city’s combination of dramatic ravines, Market Square charm, and Lake Michigan location makes it ideal for ultra-wealthy families, corporate executives, and those seeking Chicagoland’s most exclusive address where lakefront estates meet historic elegance and old-money prestige defines the North Shore’s ultimate destination.