Joliet almost 150,000 people (Chicago, Aurora, Naperville: for sale, crime, home)

[kuvopolis]

Originally Posted by At1WithNature

They love it only due to the EXTREMELY low crime rates (Check Mokena, New Lenox, etc.) and because of the ELITE schools (Lincoln Way District 210) not to mention the wonderful park services that offer United States Award Winning caliber parks and bike trails (such as the Old Plank Trail). Low crime rates, beautiful parks, and elite schools = perfect place to raise a family.

Granted, these are big positives. But I think people fail to look at the lack of diversity, little opportunity to walk anywhere, and having to drive long distances with heavy traffic (needing a reliable car for everyone of driving age). Not to mention that such sprawl is not good for the environment. But I guess life is a matter of compromise.

[LIS123]

It starts off great, but too much growth in a relatively short time frame is usually not a good thing. I'm not too familiar with the area, but it seems as though it's just a matter of time until much of Will county is similar to the Orland/Tinley area as it relates to congestion, traffic, etc. It seems to be quite a bit more crowded already than it was in the not-so-distant past.

[At1WithNature]

Originally Posted by kuvopolis

Granted, these are big positives. But I think people fail to look at the lack of diversity, little opportunity to walk anywhere, and having to drive long distances with heavy traffic (needing a reliable car for everyone of driving age). Not to mention that such sprawl is not good for the environment. But I guess life is a matter of compromise.

I agree 110% but it won't stop people from Cook County moving to Willi County. Last year alone, over 40,000 people from Cook County relocated to Will.

[BJT83]

One has to wonder if people will keep doing this with gas prices where they are. I'm not sure what to predict, but it seems crazy to live in such a car-dependent community these days. Again, I suppose the relative comfort and safety cancels it out for most families.

[At1WithNature]

Originally Posted by BJT83

One has to wonder if people will keep doing this with gas prices where they are. I'm not sure what to predict, but it seems crazy to live in such a car-dependent community these days. Again, I suppose the relative comfort and safety cancels it out for most families.

that's a big concern and a logical one as well. we'll have to see how far the economy tumbles...

[JerichoHW]

At this rate might it overtake Naperville, will Joliet become like Aurora/Naperville or is it at its peak population. If that were the case then we would have to start calling people from that area Jolietians, instead of Chicagoans.

[JerichoHW]

Just to add to my comments above, i was shocked that Joliet was growing at all. It always seems kind of like a slow declining industrial city. I guess all this new land annexed confused me with the lower middle class neighborhoods I am used to looking at.

[MannheimMadman]

Originally Posted by JerichoHW

Just to add to my comments above, i was shocked that Joliet was growing at all. It always seems kind of like a slow declining industrial city. I guess all this new land annexed confused me with the lower middle class neighborhoods I am used to looking at.

I see what you're saying. All the new sprawl has made me come to the conclusion that the only parts of Joliet I consider actually Joliet are probably Larkin/Rt 7 to the west, I-80 to the South, Richards/ rt 171 to the east, and maybe Black/Ruby to the north.

Of course, this is the much older, industrialized, almost south side of Chicago looking part of Joliet.

EDIT: And BTW, I think you're being a bit generous about social status- I'd say it's a VERY working class city, judging from the parents of the kids I teach.

[rxnasi]

Most of will county is farmland so that means there is room to grow they say that will county can pass dupage in population by 2030 i think it can happen look at the size of will it is bigger than cook county

[JerichoHW]

Originally Posted by rxnasi

Most of will county is farmland so that means there is room to grow they say that will county can pass dupage in population by 2030 i think it can happen look at the size of will it is bigger than cook county

Agreed 100%, Will County is Sprawling and its shape allows it a whole lot of unused land. Joliet itself has so much land around it, that can be easily annexed. Follow US 52 from Downtown all the way to Manhatten, that can be all theres!! And by the New 355 extension there is so much open land that is easy to get at. To top it off if Joliet uses all the land around it, then expect it to start thinking about annexing Rockdale. In a Nutshell, Joliet is the Houston of Illinois.

Of course New Lenox might try to grab some land itself, but in the end Joliet is starting to become a huge city, for Illinois standards.