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Old 02-20-2020, 06:45 PM
 
6 posts, read 3,964 times
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Hello there,

I am 23 and moving from ontario to Illinois for an engineering job that is in Marengo. I was wondering what are some places that aren't crazy far ( 20-30 min drive) but have a decent environment , good gym and also social events? I looked at the map and it seems like some parts of Elgin, Dekalb and Rockford. If someone could give me some suggestions and areas I would be grateful.

Merci!
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Old 02-20-2020, 06:50 PM
 
Location: Illinois
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Quote:
Originally Posted by munt4life123 View Post
Hello there,

I am 23 and moving from ontario to Illinois for an engineering job that is in Marengo. I was wondering what are some places that aren't crazy far ( 20-30 min drive) but have a decent environment , good gym and also social events? I looked at the map and it seems like some parts of Elgin, Dekalb and Rockford. If someone could give me some suggestions and areas I would be grateful.

Merci!
I assume you are coming from somewhere in Quebec? Most 23-year-olds would likely find living in Elgin or Dekalb frustrating. Rockford is its own metropolitan area and is likely to have more young people than the former.
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Old 02-20-2020, 07:02 PM
 
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Originally Posted by Hiruko View Post
I assume you are coming from somewhere in Quebec? Most 23-year-olds would likely find living in Elgin or Dekalb frustrating. Rockford is its own metropolitan area and is likely to have more young people than the former.
I am from southern ontario! Is the drive from rockford to Marengo pretty good traffic wise? Any other places I should consider?
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Old 02-20-2020, 09:18 PM
 
Location: Illinois
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Quote:
Originally Posted by munt4life123 View Post
I am from southern ontario! Is the drive from rockford to Marengo pretty good traffic wise? Any other places I should consider?
In that case, you'll find northern Illinois to be fairly similar to where you're from. Rockford to Marengo is fairly traffic-less during rush hour and is about 35-40 minutes each way. There are plenty of member gyms in Rockford and pretty much everywhere else. I'm not sure the social connections beyond bars will be too good. Someone from Rockford can clarify. But, you're always relatively close to Chicago where opportunities are endless.
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Old 02-21-2020, 06:09 AM
 
7,691 posts, read 4,714,771 times
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Id check out southern mchenry county to live. Algonquin, lake in the hills, crystal lake.

Algonquin commons, restaurants, gyms.

Only 16-17 miles from Marengo. Quick drive
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Old 02-21-2020, 10:35 AM
 
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Look in the Crystal Lake area, or Lake in the Hills, Algonquin, Woodstock, etc.
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Old 02-21-2020, 12:58 PM
 
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Originally Posted by ToriaT View Post
Look in the Crystal Lake area, or Lake in the Hills, Algonquin, Woodstock, etc.
I would avoid Rockford and agree looking in these areas. Its a easy commute to Marengo, they have plenty of restaurants and activities and is better situated to get into Chicago and the surrounding north/northwest suburbs.
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Old 02-21-2020, 01:09 PM
 
Location: broke leftist craphole Illizuela
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Crystal Lake would be the best bet. Not much social life though in that area. You could take the metra into the city though from Crystal Lake.
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Old 02-21-2020, 02:25 PM
 
Location: Illinois
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I think that we have to keep in mind that the OP is 23 years old when recommending places like Crystal Lake and Algonquin. For me, just a bit older, Lake Forest would be a lot more boring without Lake Forest College and the age diversity that it brings. That's why I think that the OP is on the right track with looking into Rockford and Elgin, in particular.
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Old 02-21-2020, 05:37 PM
 
Location: broke leftist craphole Illizuela
10,339 posts, read 16,483,144 times
Reputation: 20255
Rockford is a crap hole. There are some nice areas surrounding it. Elgin is also kind of a decayed industry town like Waukegan. St. Charles has some nice amenities but that is getting pretty far out there from Marengo. Marengo isn't even a Chicago suburb it is just a little town way out there. If the OP wants to accept the job he is going to have to accept that the best social life he is going to get is an outer suburban one. I think Crystal Lake or possibly Algonquin are the best he will be able to get in the circumstances. At least Crystal Lake has the metra into the city and is a decent sized far outer suburb.
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