Bloomington Vs Chicagoland (Geneva area) (Aurora, Naperville: rental homes, condo, townhouse)

[llama214]

I honestly don't know. My guess is that Naperville looks down on Aurora, since Aurora has more blue collar employment. But I think it goes both ways. I have in-laws that used to live in Aurora. They loved it and he seemd to have a really nice job at CAT. Their son even went West Aurora High School, which seems to be the lowest thing you can do, if you are anyone in Dupage county. He turned out fine, so I guess it wasn't too bad. When I was looking into college, I really liked North Central College(Naperville). When I told my extended family that(and it's been awhile since I even thought about that, or they even lived in the area), their whole face changed. They quickly informed me that Aurora University, or CoDu would have been better choice. Although Naperville takes a beating for the majority of this feud, I know it goes both ways.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by j33

There is a feud between Aurora and Naperville? This is the first I've heard of that (but then again what do I know, I've never even been to Naperville). What sort of feud could they possibly be having? is it a high school football thing?

Yes, there are many reasons. One of them involves the snobby White Eagle neighborhood. Theyre in Aurora city limits, but they wanted to have Naperville addresses. So Aurora decided to shut off their electricity if they didnt feel like being in Aurora. There are also feuds between schools like Waubonsie and Neuqua, East Aurora and Naperville North and Central, etc... its rediculous, but its not as big as youd think.

Llama, West Aurora isnt a bad school, its East thats horrible.

[nanannie]

To answer the original question,,,if given the choice, Geneva by a long shot

[llama214]

Yes Geneva is far more pleasing to look at, but by itself is very old fashioned and antique. B-N is much more interesting than that town, but has areas that aren't so nice to look at. Batavia, St. Charles, and Geneva are very beautiful, but are far from Chicago. Everything in Bloomington is just a few mins away.

[Jons99]

Its a no brainer, the Geneva area is MUCH more appealing than Bloomington-Normal, though B-N is probably the best area in Illinois away from Chicagoland.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by llama214

Yes Geneva is far more pleasing to look at, but by itself is very old fashioned and antique. B-N is much more interesting than that town, but has areas that aren't so nice to look at. Batavia, St. Charles, and Geneva are very beautiful, but are far from Chicago. Everything in Bloomington is just a few mins away.

You dont need to drive to Chicago to be near everything. Dowtown Geneva has hotels (including the beautiful Herrington Inn), restaurants, pubs, shops, coffee houses, sports bars, riverwalk, parks. Randall Rd: everything on earth, literally. Randall has anything from bars and shops to theatres and dining to sports activities, all within 5 minutes from downtown Geneva, Batavia and St. Charles. Chicago is just there to really visit and see things you cant in the 'burbs, like skyscrapers, the lakefront, museums and arts, pro sports teams, stuff like that. But you dont need to leave the burbs to do any shopping whatsoever.

[nanannie]

I am having trouble understanding what all the huff is about.Bloom-Normal is so far from Geneva and surrounded by much more farm country,I cant even COMPARE the two.Its not anything to do with who has antique stores,its like a different way of life completly isnt it? Its just a matter of preference.I am sure you have a wonderful life in Bloom-Normal,but no offense,your coming off like someone whos jealous.Different strokes,no one is right or wrong,just different places,Bloom-Normal is very nice,enjoy.

[ILguy]

I might as well put my two cents in. I see this bickering all the time and unfortantely it is indicative of the ongoing battles between Chicago and downstate. I am from Central Illinois but currently live in Chicago (Lincoln Park), and went to school in BN. I really see no difference in BN and the suburbs. Both are over built and lack character (mainly due to overzealous developers) to a degree but it really depends on what you like and if you look around - they all offer alot of choices all around. Not having White Castles would be a plus in my book for BN. The chicago suburbs are very crowded, but they all vary. I am not a fan of Naperville and never will be. Lived there and hated it. It was really nice 20 years ago but grew too fast and not any feeling of being urban - totally suburban and not diverse at all. Aurora does not rank high with me either. But there are really two Auroras. City dwellers will not claim any of these suburbs especially Schaumburg and Naperville. Naperville is a running joke in Chicago, but again that is due to two different types of people. As with Chicago/suburbs vs downstate you have the city vs the suburbs. I would agree that the suburbs and BN are really not that different, especially if you add Peoria to the mix with BN. BN is rather a big box, chain restaurant town which many people like and mirrors much of the suburbs. If you add the urban feel of Peoria and the broader shopping, dining, and entertainment venues there you get a much broader and diverse mix similar to a much smaller Chicago area. I personally would not live in the suburbs or BN - I feel they both tend to be boring, but then again I am middle age with no kids. My lifestyle is quite different. If family and schools are important, both are fine. The opportunities in chicago area are greater due to the size - you can't argue that, but many of the things quoted here are found in both areas and really not that important (culture is the big difference not restaurants) Traffic is hell anywhere in Chicagoland and is very unpredictable. Many of the people I know in the city and suburbs, don't really take advanatage on the options that Chicago has to offer so living downstate with easy access to Chicago is really no different. It is what you make out of it and your lifestyle and what is important to you. I love living in the city, but plan to move back to Peoria someday due to the beauty of the area and the options it has to offer (great medical centers, culture, fine dining, wonderful parks, and cheaper living- comparable to Chicago but on a much smaller scale. I would still probably have a home in the city to enjoy Chicago when I want to.

[ILguy]

Sorry - forgot Geneva. Geneva is very nice and quaint - nice place to visit especially if you like antiques but again to live there would be very typical suburban. Also very scenic as opposed to BN topography. A nice afternoon place to visit. I would say that Geneva has more character than BN (easier to do since it is smaller and more compact and not really an "urban center") but life in BN would be the same probably with a bit more convenience and more entertainment options closer. Geneva is so far out there, area is rapidly becoming more developed with houses - hopefully not going to lose its character much like Naperville did. "Old" Naperville is still very nice but unfortunately overshadowed by mega stores and McMansions. Again, I would assume that most who live in Geneva (knew some when I lived and worked around there) that would never venture out of the area especially to Chicago - still has some of the small town mentality. therefore, I would say their options are limited. Again to each his/her own.

[j33]

Originally Posted by ILguy

Naperville is a running joke in Chicago.

with all due respect to Naperville (again, I've never been there), it most certainly is true that it is a bit of a running joke here. I don't know how many times I've heard in jest "oh go back to Naperville" or "where ya from, Naperville or something". However, Naperville is not alone in that dubious honor, I once saw a short play during one of the "Too much light makes the baby go blind" performances that consisted of someone saying the word "Winnetka" over and over in an affected valley girl accent, the audience was howling with laughter.

...and least I come off as snobby in anyway. I'm a former south suburban girl myself (but haven't lived down there since 1991), and as everyone knows "we are all either gangsters, factory workers, or hicks down there" (at least that is the stereotype I heard from the north suburban sorts)