The Merion is located at 1611 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201 in Cook County, Illinois

The Merion | Pricing, Photos, and Reviews

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1611 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201

For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318

4.3 from 83 reviews

5 stars

56

4 stars

15

3 stars

2

2 stars

1

1 stars

9

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The Merion Costs & Pricing

At The Merion, monthly costs for various room types present a competitive option compared to both Cook County and the broader state of Illinois. A studio apartment is priced at $3,500, which notably undercuts the county average of $3,762 and the state average of $4,028. The one-bedroom units are available for $3,950, slightly exceeding the Cook County rate of $3,256 yet remaining lower than the state average of $3,527. For those seeking more space, two-bedroom apartments at The Merion are offered at $4,750; while this is higher than Cook County's average of $4,412, it is still a favorable option compared to Illinois' overall rate of $4,208. Overall, The Merion provides appealing pricing across its offerings that balances quality with affordability in a competitive market.

Floor plans	The Merion	Cook County	Illinois
Studio	$3,500	$3,762	$4,028
1 Bedroom	$3,950	$3,256	$3,527
2 Bedrooms	$4,750	$4,412	$4,208

Overall Review of The Merion

differentiator 21 reviews mention this

Dining is consistently praised

Dining and food quality are among the most consistent reasons people recommend The Merion.

Multiple residents and families describe the food as consistently excellent, generous, and better than what they expected from senior living. Reviews mention standout presentations, restaurant-style service, and a dining experience that feels polished and accommodating. The menu flexibility and diet-aware options come through in resident accounts, alongside praise for dining staff and responsiveness to preferences. The community also appears to support special meals and events, including holiday-style brunches and themed dinners.

common 14 reviews mention this

Activities keep days full

Residents describe an active schedule with frequent events and outings.

A recurring theme is that there’s something to do most days, with programming described as varied, frequent, and easy to join. Several reviews highlight live music and entertainment, plus regular social events like happy hour and special nights. Others mention lectures, outings, and planned transportation so residents can get out for shopping, appointments, and community events. Even visitors who toured describe choosing the community for the level of activities.

common 20 reviews mention this

Staff feels consistently caring

Reviews repeatedly describe staff as friendly, helpful, and responsive.

Many reviews say staff members are kind and supportive, including dining teams, housekeeping, and personnel coordinating day-to-day needs. Families often describe smooth assistance during move-in and ongoing help after residents settle in. Several accounts mention employees being proactive—checking in, making residents feel known by name, and resolving tasks when something needs attention. A small number of reviews raise concerns about specific interactions, but overall the dominant pattern is caring, hands-on support.

common 12 reviews mention this

Cleanliness and upkeep stand out

Residents and visitors frequently call the building exceptionally clean and well maintained.

Cleanliness comes up again and again, with multiple reviewers describing the facility as immaculate, sparkly, and fresh. Several also connect the well-kept feel to a more comfortable day-to-day living environment. A few reviews add details like strong housekeeping and an absence of unpleasant odors compared with other places they visited. Even when reviews mention other issues, they often still single out the physical condition of the community.

caveat 8 reviews mention this

Cost is a recurring concern

Cost and value—especially for rent and meals—are a frequent concern in reviews.

Some reviewers think The Merion is priced beyond what they could afford, including comments about rent increases and the overall monthly expense. Others specifically call out the cost of food and drinks, describing it as high relative to expectations. A few reviews mention pricing concerns in the context of tours or deciding whether the apartments and meals were worth the cost. While many reviews praise the experience, the negative pattern around affordability is clear and recurring.

How we summarize

Counts show how many written reviews mention each theme; a review can touch several themes, and only frequently mentioned themes are displayed.

Features

Housing

215 resident community capacity
1-bedroom apartments
2-bedroom apartments
Studio apartments

Types of Care

Assisted Living
Independent Living

Pets

Cats allowed
Dogs allowed

Amenities

Activities off-site
Activities on-site
Air-conditioning
Bath tubs
Beautician on-site
Beauty salon
Cable or satellite TV
Computer center
Devotional services off-site
Devotional services on-site
Fireplaces
Fitness room
Full kitchen
Fully furnished
Gaming room
Garden
Housekeeping services
Indoor common areas
Kitchenette
Move-in coordination
Outdoor common areas
Outdoor space
Private bathrooms
Respite or short term stays offered
Restaurant-style dining
Small library
Swimming pool / hot tub
Telephone
Wellness center
Wheelchair accessible showers
Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available

Transportation

Chicago O'Hare International (12 miles away)
Chicago Midway (18 miles away)
Community operated transportation
Transportation arrangement

Nearby Metro Stations

Davis
Dempster
Foster
Main
Noyes

Care Services

24-hour call system
24-hour supervision
Activities of daily living assistance
Ambulatory care
Assistance with bathing
Assistance with dressing
Assistance with transfers
Diabetes diet
Diabetic care
Incontinence care
Meal preparation and service
Medication management
Special dietary restrictions

Dining

Diabetes diet
Gluten-free
International cuisine
Meals provided
Organic
Professional chef
Restaurant style dining
Room service
Special dietary restrictions
Vegan
Vegetarian

Activities

Art classes
Community-sponsored activities
Concierge services
Cooking classes
Day trips and outings
Devotional activities offsite
Devotional activities on-site
Educational speakers / life long learning
Fitness programs
Happy hour
Live musical performances
Live well programs
Planned day trips
Resident-run activities
Scheduled daily activities
Visiting Rabbi
Visiting chaplain or priest
Wine tasting

Nearby Places of Interest

This area of Evanston, Illinois offers a mix of convenient amenities and recreational opportunities suitable for senior living. With multiple parks within close proximity, residents can enjoy outdoor activities and leisurely walks. The presence of several cafes provides options for socializing and enjoying a cup of coffee. Nearby pharmacies and hospitals such as Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy, Saint Francis Hospital, and Swedish Covenant Hospital Cancer Care ensure access to essential healthcare services. Places of worship are also easily accessible for those seeking spiritual nourishment. Transportation options including CTA stations and bus terminals make getting around the area convenient. Additionally, there are a variety of restaurants to choose from for dining out or takeout options. Overall, this neighborhood offers a well-rounded environment with resources that cater to the needs of seniors looking to settle in Evanston.

Parks

Dawes Park (0.2 miles)
Centennial Park (0.3 miles)
Leahy Park (1.1 miles)
Dubkin Park (2 miles)
Warren Park (3.1 miles)
Horner Park (6 miles)
Clarkson Park (6.2 miles)

Cafes

Starbucks (0.3 miles)
Starbucks (1.1 miles)
Little Beans Cafe (1.5 miles)
Starbucks (2.7 miles)
Starbucks (3.7 miles)
Starbucks (4.9 miles)
Starbucks (5.1 miles)

Pharmacies

Walgreens (0.9 miles)
Walgreens (1.2 miles)
Walgreens (1.3 miles)
CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
Walgreens (2.1 miles)
Walgreens (2.5 miles)
Walgreens (3.7 miles)

Hospitals

Saint Francis Hospital (1.5 miles)
Swedish Covenant Hospital Cancer Care (5 miles)
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center (7.7 miles)

Places of Worship

Baha'i House of Worship (1.9 miles)

Transportation

Cta (1.9 miles)
CTA-Linden (1.9 miles)
CTA Jarvis (2.2 miles)
Cta (5.7 miles)
Cta (6.7 miles)
Jefferson Park Bus Terminal (6.8 miles)
Cta (7 miles)

Restaurants

R Public House (2.2 miles)
Little Bad Wolf (4.4 miles)
SoFo Tap (5.2 miles)
Chick-Fil-A (5.2 miles)
Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers (6.1 miles)
Superdawg Drive-In (6.5 miles)
Glenview Dairy Bar (6.7 miles)

Physicians

North Shore Physicians Group (4 miles)
Resurrection Medical Center Professional Building (8.1 miles)

Theaters

AMC Village Crossing Theatre (5.1 miles)

Frequently Asked Questions

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