Libertyville is the upscale, top-schools pick for Naval Station Great Lakes — a polished village with a picturesque downtown on Milwaukee Avenue and some of the most sought-after public schools in Lake County. For a family that can swing it, it's a genuinely great place to spend a tour; just go in knowing it's priced accordingly.
What it's actually like, day one
Downtown Libertyville is the draw: a walkable Milwaukee Avenue of shops, restaurants, a historic theater, and a strong community calendar. The neighborhoods are leafy and established, and the schools — Libertyville SD 70 feeding the well-regarded District 128 high schools — are the magnet for a lot of families. The base is a short, easy commute southwest, so you're not trading much driving for the quality.
The tradeoff
You pay for it. Libertyville sits at the higher end of the local market in both rent and home prices, so it stretches a Chicago-MHA BAH the least of the towns near base. If schools and charm are the priority and the budget allows, it's worth it; if you want more house for the money, Gurnee, Grayslake, Mundelein, or the value towns near the lake go further.
Verify before you sign
Confirm the specific SD 70 feeder + District 128 high school for the address, get a real price/rent read (it varies across town), and drive the base commute at your report time.
Neighborhoods
Libertyville runs from its walkable downtown out to the established residential areas and the Green Oaks / Route 137 edge toward the base. The downtown-adjacent neighborhoods carry the premium; tour the specific area and confirm the school feeder before you commit.