City Guide
Lake Forest, IL
Overview
Lake Forest, IL is known for its beautiful homes and its location along the shores of Lake Michigan. It is home to 85,831 people, so moving to Lake Forest offers the benefits of small-city living with the perks of a larger city. One fact about Lake Forest is that it boasts 250 acres of hiking and biking trails and along with fishing and cross-country skiing. Something else to note about the city is that is home to Middlefork Savanna, a 25-acre park of tallgrass savanna, and "one of the country's most fragile ecosystems."
What’s it like to live in Lake Forest, IL ?
If you're looking to buy a home for sale in Lake Forest, IL you'll find that the median sale price is
$1,104,250
and homes stay on the market for 102 days. You'll find that the median sale prices of
a single family home and a condo/co-op in Lake Forest are $1,445,000
and $369,000
, respectively. Lake Forest area townhouses have a median sale price of $1,090,000
, making them less expensive
than single family homes. If you’re not ready to buy a home, consider one of the many apartments for rent in Lake Forest, ILExplore our Lake Forest housing market page for insights about how home values have changed over
the years and how Lake Forest home prices compare to other markets. Explore our Lake Forest rental market trends page for insights about how rental prices have changed and how Lake Forest rental prices compare to other rental markets. If you're curious about the most valuable home features in Lake Forest, or looking for a new home improvement project,
discover what home features and design trends may help increase your home's value.
Popular neighborhoods in and around Lake Forest
| Neighborhood | Median Sale Price | Compete Score | Walk Score | Real Estate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Sheridan | $879,000 | -- | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
| Woodland Creek Manor | $1,432,500 | -- | 29 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| North Shore | $592,000 | 61 / 100 | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
| Downtown | $1,250,000 | 51 / 100 | 88 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| Village of Lake Bluff | $730,000 | 55 / 100 | -- | For SaleFor Rent |
Popular homes for sale in Lake Forest
See all homes for sale
Rental listings in Lake Forest
See how much rent you can affordSee all rental listings
Lake Forest Migration & Relocation Trends
In Jan '25 - Mar '25, 16% of Lake Forest homebuyers searched to move out of Lake Forest, while 84% looked to stay within the metropolitan area.
- Across the nation, 3% of homebuyers searched to move into Lake Forest from outside metros.
- Peoria homebuyers searched to move into Lake Forest more than any other metro followed by New York and Springfield.
Where are people moving to Lake Forest from?
- 84% of Lake Forest homebuyers searched to stay within the Lake Forest metropolitan area.
Where are people from Lake Forest moving to?
Number of People Moving to Lake Forest
least
most
People are moving to Lake Forest from
| Inbound | Net inflow | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Metros | Jan '25 - Mar '25 | ||
| 1 | 1,083 | ||
| 2 | 865 | ||
| 3 | 752 | ||
| 4 | 732 | ||
| 5 | 646 | ||
| 6 | 519 | ||
| 7 | 360 | ||
| 8 | 337 | ||
| 9 | 270 | ||
| 10 | 254 | ||
Methodology
This data does not reflect actual moves. The latest migration analysis is based on a sample of about two
million Redfin.com users who searched for homes across more than 100 metro areas. To be included in this dataset, a Redfin.com user
must have viewed at least 10 homes in a three month period. This dataset excludes all rentals data.
What is there to do in Lake Forest, IL ?
There are countless places to visit in Lake Forest, IL, that will be a hit for anyone moving to the area. Lake Forest has many unique museums like the Lake Bluff Historical Society, a popular museum for locals. Stirling Hall Arts Center and Centerstage are among the many performing arts venues you can check out. Lake Forest is known for its nature preserves and parks. You can spend time exploring green spaces such as South Park, West Park, and Everett Park. Some of the numerous restaurants include King Maa Chinese Restaurant, Little Tail Restaurant, and Egg Harbor Cafe, which are sure to appease any palette.
Explore some of the best things to do in Lake Forest
What's the best way to get around Lake Forest, IL ?
The best way to get around Lake Forest is by car, but there are many methods for getting around the city. If you’re exploring the city by foot, Lake Forest has a walk score of 18, meaning this area is car dependent. Most bus stations and rail stations are located in 60035, 60045 and 60040. You can also get around Lake Forest by bike. With a bike score of 39, there is a minimal amount of infrastructure for biking.
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
Lake Forest Transportation
Bus Station
Buses can be found throughout the city and are easily accessible to commute in the city.
Rail Station
Lake Forest has 3 heavy rail stations; Lake Forest Station, Metra, Fort Sheridan Metra Station. This allows you to use heavy rail to commute in and out of the city from the surrounding area and even travel to other cities.
Tram Station
Our data indicates this city does not have this transportation type.
Metro Station
Our data indicates this city does not have this transportation type.
Car & Bike Rentals
Our data indicates this city does not have this transportation type.
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