Gurnee is the family-suburb pick for Naval Station Great Lakes — newer subdivisions, good parks, every kind of shopping and dining, and a short, easy I-94 commute to base. It's best known nationally for Six Flags Great America and the Gurnee Mills outlet mall, both of which sit right in town.
What it's actually like, day one
Gurnee is comfortable, modern suburbia: subdivisions of single-family homes, big-box and outlet retail along Grand Avenue, and quick highway access in every direction. The base is a short drive southeast. It's a popular landing spot for military families who want newer housing, amenities, and a manageable commute without going as upscale (or pricey) as Libertyville.
The tradeoff
The amenities that make Gurnee convenient also make parts of it busy — the Grand Avenue / Six Flags corridor sees real traffic in summer. School districts are split across town (Gurnee SD 56, Woodland SD 50, with Warren Township HS), so the feeder depends on the exact address. And it's pricier than the value towns closer to the lake.
Verify before you sign
Confirm which elementary district (56 vs 50) and the specific feeder serve the address, check the summer-traffic picture if you're near the Six Flags corridor, and drive your base commute at your report time.
Neighborhoods
Gurnee spreads from its central subdivisions to the Hunt Club / Grand Avenue corridor, and includes the unincorporated Gages Lake community to the west (a quieter, more affordable residential pocket near Grayslake). Pin down the school feeder for whichever part you're considering.