Want to live and work in Northfield (Township)?

The cost of living in Northfield Township is expensive by American standards. Single-family homes sell well above the state average, and Cook County property taxes are notoriously high, adding a significant portion to the annual budget for homeowners. Renters are less directly affected by this tax, but it is reflected in rental prices.

Grocery stores, restaurants, and services are priced in line with Chicago's North Shore: more expensive than downtown and considerably more expensive than the south or west of the county. Mariano's, Jewel-Osco, and Whole Foods are the common supermarkets. Fuel and car insurance are essential since nearly everything requires driving.

On the positive side, salaries in the Chicago metropolitan area keep pace with the cost. Households with two professional incomes can maintain a comfortable standard of living. For those arriving without an established income, the township is too expensive; starting in nearby more affordable villages and moving later is a common approach.

The local job market is strong in the corporate sector. Astellas Pharma has its U.S. headquarters in Northbrook. Allstate has a campus in Northbrook. UL Solutions (formerly Underwriters Laboratories) is also based there. Walgreens Boots Alliance is just to the north in Deerfield. Crate & Barrel is headquartered in Northbrook. NorthShore University HealthSystem (now Endeavor Health) employs thousands across regional hospitals.

For those working in Chicago, the Metra Milwaukee District North connects Glenview to Union Station in about 40 minutes. Many residents make this daily commute to offices in the Loop and River North. Finance, law, consulting, and technology professionals make up the bulk of this commuter flow.

Qualified immigrants typically arrive through corporate transfers (L-1, H-1B) from the local companies themselves or from multinationals in Chicago. For service jobs in construction, landscaping, restaurants, and caregiving, there is constant demand, and Latin American and Polish communities traditionally fill these roles.

Northfield Township is served by Endeavor Health, formed in 2024 through the merger of NorthShore University HealthSystem and Edward-Elmhurst Health. The primary hospitals are Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview and Evanston Hospital in Evanston, both just minutes away by car. Both are teaching hospitals affiliated with the Pritzker School of Medicine.

Pediatric, dental, and specialty clinics are distributed throughout the township and neighboring villages. Walgreens and CVS function as pharmacies and basic clinics for vaccines and quick consultations. For more complex emergencies, Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago are the main references.

As throughout the United States, the healthcare system depends on insurance coverage. Jobs at the major local companies typically include solid plans. For the self-employed and recent arrivals without coverage, healthcare costs can be high; exploring plans through Healthcare.gov or state options is advisable.

Northfield Township was planned around the automobile. The main roads are the Edens Expressway (I-94), Willow Road, Lake Avenue, and Waukegan Road. Households typically own two cars. Parking is abundant and free throughout most of the township.

For downtown Chicago, the Metra is the fastest option. Glenview and Northbrook stations are on the Milwaukee District North line and connect to Union Station. The North Central Service at Prairie View is also available but less frequent. Pace bus service exists but is limited, primarily serving workers during business hours.

O'Hare Airport is about 20 minutes away by car via I-294, making the area convenient for frequent business travelers or those visiting family abroad. Midway requires more time, roughly 45 to 60 minutes. Uber and Lyft are widely available.

Cultural life in Northfield Township happens at a neighborhood scale. The public libraries in Glenview, Northbrook, and Northfield host lectures, book clubs, and children's activities. Community theaters such as Northlight Theatre in Skokie serve the broader area.

In the summer, neighborhood festivals animate the streets: Glenview Summerfest, Northbrook Days, farmers markets, and free outdoor concerts in parks. Township restaurants reflect the region's diversity: traditional Italian pizzerias, Korean barbecue, North and South Indian cuisine, sushi, and classic Jewish delis.

For art, music, professional sports, and fine dining, residents head to Chicago. Museums such as the Art Institute and the Field Museum, concerts at the United Center, Cubs games at Wrigley Field, and Bears games at Soldier Field are part of the regular calendar for those living here.

The Indian community is large and visible, with restaurants representing both North and South Indian cuisines, specialty grocers, and Hindu temples in the area. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Bartlett serves all of greater Chicago. Indian families typically work in pharmaceuticals, technology, and medicine at local companies.

Koreans have a strong presence in Glenview and Northbrook, with Korean Presbyterian churches, grocery stores (H Mart in Niles is nearby), and barbecue restaurants. The Jewish community is historic: Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox synagogues have operated in Northbrook and Glenview for decades. Russians, Ukrainians, and Iranians arrived in waves during the 1980s and 1990s and maintain Orthodox churches, bakeries, and grocery stores.

Hispanic residents form a smaller community than in other parts of the county, concentrated in service industries. Filipinos and Chinese are a growing presence with the arrival of skilled professionals. For all these groups, the township offers solid institutional support through schools with ESL programs and regional organizations based in Chicago and Skokie.