NS Great Lakes is located in Lake County, Illinois, near the suburb of North Chicago and city of Waukegan. North Chicago has a population of 32,575 people, while Waukegan has 94,270. Nearby communities are Lake Forest (19,375), Gurnee (31,295), Libertyville (20,315), Mundelein (31,065), and Vernon Hills (20,120). Chicago is the nearest major city and is 45 minutes south of base.

Local Housing Rental Prices: The average cost to rent a home in the cities and suburbs around base range from $600 to $1,200, with averages depending on the area. North Chicago averages about $865 per month, Waukegan averages $700, and Lake Forest is about $1,150.

Local Housing Purchase Prices: The average price to purchase a home in the Lake County area is about $287,300, compared to $191,800 for Illinois. Some suburbs in Lake County can be significantly less or more than the average; North Chicago averages $146,300, while Libertyville can range upwards of $400,000 for a home.

Short Description of the Area: NS Great Lakes is on the coast of Lake Michigan, 37 miles north of Chicago and 30 minutes south of the Illinois-Wisconsin border. Chicago is the 3rd largest city in the United States, with a population of 2.7 million. The many suburbs of Chicago are also densely populated. Lake Michigan is the only one of the 5 Great Lakes that is entirely within U.S. borders.

Climate and Weather: The climate around NS Great Lakes creates 4 distinct seasons, with hot summers and cold, often harsh winters. The average temperature in July is about 74 degrees Fahrenheit, while January is about 22 degrees. This area receives about 37 inches of precipitation and often over 30 inches of snow each year, which is more snow than that of Illinois or the U.S. average. Strong storms are common here, either thunderstorms during summertime that can create tornadoes, or strong winter storms with snow and bitter wind, so make sure to be prepared. Fortunately, the Chicago area does not usually experience much "lake-effect" (or massive amounts of) snow like much of the Great Lakes area, but winters can be very cold and gray.