Need info on life around Wilmington (Naperville, Joliet: rent, hotel, home)

[Boricua]

My husband I moved to Palatine, where we rent because we are not too familiar with the area, from out of state in August. He just got a job by Wilmington. I teach in Palatine. I am curious to find out opinions about living near or in Wilmington. I don't want a long commute, if we moved closer to Wilmington, I'd find another school district to teach in. I've read some other postings that say commuting anywhere around Naperville is insane due to traffic. Any thoughts? I'd appreciate it!

[Boricua]

I guess I should have read the message before posting...found a glaring typo. Oops!

[Jons99]

Just depends if you want a small town feel or if you need a suburban style..There is plenty of new building starting to hit the area and teaching jobs are fairly easy to find.. JMO, but I would probably explore towns like Coal City, Diamond, Manteno, Peotone, Bradley, Bourbonnais or Manhattan before Wilmington.. Don't expect to make as much teaching, but its a lot cheaper living down here.

[PSERENITY2]

I have lived in Wilmington all of my life and love it. We are about halfway between Joliet and Kankakee, so if you want to go out to dinner or the mall or movies, it's a short trip. We have great churches and most anything that you may need or want; antique stores, grocery stores, pharmacy, hardware stores, crafts, movie theater, dollar store, hunting, fishing, a bowling alley, restaurants. We're on the Kankakee River which is beautiful. You won't go wrong in Wilmington. Check out http://www.wilmington-il.com
There are a lot of good people in Wilmington. Talk to one of the Shell boys at Pro Realty. They will find you a great house.

[Patty100]

For Boricua or anyone who has recently moved to Wilmington... I am thinking of relocating to Wilmington. I have elementary age child and was wondering how the elementary schools are and if it's easy to make friends. Does Wilmington have a good sports program? How easy is it to find jobs in or around Wilmington? Also, can anyone recommend a hotel/motel. We need to visit Wilmington and discover all there is to do there. Thanks!!

[NYrules]

Anywhere down the 355 extension would be a smart move for you. I-355 is soon to open (Nov?) and will extend down to I-80 which would make your commute real easy as you could just take I-80 west out to Wilmington from 355 and you could take 355/290 up to the Palatine area. Towns in the path of the extension are Lemont, Homer Glen, Lockport, and New Lenox. I have also heard that property values are rising quickly there so don't wait to long.
I don't know if this link will work but try it. Image:Interstate 355 Southern Extension Large.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[princesssusu]

I moved her a year ago from the Ft Lauderdale area with pretty much a 5 year plan in mind and I don't think I am ever leaving here. The people are wonderful. I like the schools, my daughter is in pre-school. The atmosphere in this town is just refreshing after 11 years in the hustle and bustle of Ft Laud. If you have to go to a real town it's only like 20 min to Walmart Target etc. But really if you need something you can find it in town. 2 Grocery stores, 1 is 24 hours. Drug store, hardware store, gym, dance studio, basically if there is a service someone in wilmington does it. It's a really nice place to live and raise children. As far as work you will probably have to commute, I work at home so it's easy for me. But for good paying work you are probably going to drive anywhere from 20-45 min a day.

[JELNEL]

I moved here from a small city in new york
Pro's The library here is awesome for kids and adults they have new releases also excellent lapsits and do classes and field trips
The park is nice and the river
A friendly town people are nice
QUICK COMMUTE to joliet My hubby says traffic isn't terible
just depends on the night

Cons so far potholes are terrible
the 2 stores are seriously overpriced
There doesn't seem to be any parks program
Not many food choices in town