The village of Wilmette is just 15 miles north of the Loop. With its proximity to the city, excellent schools, diverse architecture, access to beaches, an extensive park district and a community with a good variety of businesses and services, Wilmette appeals to a wide range of residents. The Wilmette Harbor is a haven for pleasure boating; in fact, a sunny summer day sees the lake filled with colorful sails. Also on the lakefront is an outdoor arena at Gilson Park, which holds numerous programs including live theater and musical entertainment. Wilmette’s eastern section features an antique street lighting system, which was installed in 1925 using green cast-iron poles with ornamental luminary. This charming feature, along with its cobblestone streets, gives Wilmette a glowing hue in the evening.
Recreation
The lake is not Wilmette’s only recreational opportunity. The village also has two public and two private golf courses, two indoor ice rinks, a large outdoor pool, a variety of athletic fields and 19 public parks. The Baha’i Temple is the community’s crowning landmark, drawing tourists from all over the world to its lakeside location. The design of the nine-sided domed temple took 40 years to complete. It is surrounded by nine flower gardens and nine fountains. The Wilmette Public Library is convenient to residents and has a large selection of various genres of reading materials and computer information.
Schools
Wilmette’s elementary students attend Districts 37 and 39. Neighboring Winnetka’s New Trier High School District 203 serves the community.
Transportation
The Edens Expressway (I-94) is a quick hop for a 30-45 min drive into the Loop. Local Metra trains take 35 minutes to get to the Loop or 20 minutes by express. The CTA elevated Purple express L train ride to the Loop is 50 minutes during Rush Hour. O’Hare Airport is a 30-minute drive, and Midway is 55 minutes away. A neighborhood bus runs through Wilmette and the surrounding North Shore communities.
Market Report & Listings
Population (2010 census): 27,087
Square Mileage: 5.3
http://www.wilmette.com