Rockford is horrible (Chicago, Aurora, Peoria: lease, house, neighborhoods)

[Lookout Kid]

Rockford has Cheap Trick. And that's enough for me. Well, actually, it isn't. But it's one thing...

But I have to ask... Why beat Rockford down any more? It's kind of like kicking and ugly dog in the face. Rockford doesn't need your grief, Havasu! Especially since you live in a fricken' desert with strip malls!

[Capt. Dan]

Any place that could produce CHEAP TRICK cant be that bad!!!

[Chicago60614]

Originally Posted by Homesinrockford

Ok, I understand that Rockford has it's rough area's, but why don't you mention the nice area's? I would say that more than 3/4's of Rockford is pretty good. You can't even compare Rockford to Beloit because Beloit only has about 40,000 or so people compared to Rockford with 150,000. I can take anyone through bad parts of almost ANY city. You mention street lights. Have you ever driven in the Chicago Suburbs? There are 10 times as many lights. If anyone was moving to Rockford why would you take them to the bad parts? It doesn't make much sense to me. I will agree that the City of Rockford has its share of problems, but blame it on the City of Chicago. All of the states tax money gets put into Chicago and all of the other cities are left with nothing. Remember most of the major roads including Alpine are owned by the state. The city of Chicago is too concerned with giving senior citizens free rides on the CTA buses and paying the drivers $18.00+/hour. Also, the city has changed. There are several New Construction subdivisions out here, Linden Point,Elmgate,Turnberry,Brandon,Kelley Meadows,Redington Chase,Bluffside Heights, Chandan, etc. just to name a few. We have the Ice Hogs,Raptors,RiverHawks, Burpee mus., Discovery Center,Sportscore, Meto Cente, Davis Park etc. I grew up in the Burbs of Chicago and I'll tell you many people are impressed with Rockford and many think it's even gonna get better. I apologize if the spelling and grammer aren't the best, but its a little late now and I'm too tired to go back and proof. I think Rockford is a great city with alot of potential.

For whatever it's worth, the Chicago area, and especially the city, contribute much more in tax dollars to the state than they get in return. I know a lot of people downstate have this view that they're somehow supporting Chicago with all their contributions, but in reality it's quite the opposite.

The governor was the one who demanded seniors ride free on public transit, all the residents and officials in Chicago were mad as hell about his stupid proposal.

The CTA funding that everyone else in the state screamed about is actually 100% funded through sales taxes in the Chicago area, yet tens of millions are going to projects all over Illinois. Yet another example of the rest of the state benifiting from Chicago taxpayers. I honestly really don't care at all, except that the rest of the state complains loudly about it - when it's actually the exact opposite!

[trailerguy]

Well beauty is in the eye of the beholder (to coin a phrase). I don't live in Rockford, but I've been there several times. I wouldn't call it the Paris of the Prairie but it's not THAT bad. Terrible highways are a long Illinois tradition, a combination of low state income taxes (flat 3%) and horribly corrupt politicians and highway contractors. The tollways are better than the freeways, but of course you gotta pay. And yes the transition when you cross the line into Wisconsin is amazing. Try driving Green Bay Road from Waukegan to Kenosha. It magically converts from a two-lane washboard with gravel shoulders to a four-lane parkway with landscaped median, curbs and pavement like a billiard table. Traffic lights, however, are not an Illinois exclusive.
The Rockford economy is very healthy right now, and I'd be surprised if their welfare load is any worse than the rest of the state.

[Homesinrockford]

Originally Posted by Chicago60614

For whatever it's worth, the Chicago area, and especially the city, contribute much more in tax dollars to the state than they get in return. I know a lot of people downstate have this view that they're somehow supporting Chicago with all their contributions, but in reality it's quite the opposite.

The governor was the one who demanded seniors ride free on public transit, all the residents and officials in Chicago were mad as hell about his stupid proposal.

The CTA funding that everyone else in the state screamed about is actually 100% funded through sales taxes in the Chicago area, yet tens of millions are going to projects all over Illinois. Yet another example of the rest of the state benifiting from Chicago taxpayers. I honestly really don't care at all, except that the rest of the state complains loudly about it - when it's actually the exact opposite!

Are you serious? Rockford has a higher tax rate than Dupage County 10.47-11.01 which is crazy. Yes, the governor is the one that likes to spend all the tax money towards Chicago. Also the City of Chicago tears down the Robert Taylor homes and Caprini Green (not sure if spelled right) and guess where they all end up??? Rockford. Then everyone wonders why we have such a high crime rate and not to mention shipping the criminals to our new Jail, so when they get out, guess where they live?

[Havasu]

Originally Posted by Homesinrockford

Are you serious? Rockford has a higher tax rate than Dupage County 10.47-11.01 which is crazy. Yes, the governor is the one that likes to spend all the tax money towards Chicago. Also the City of Chicago tears down the Robert Taylor homes and Caprini Green (not sure if spelled right) and guess where they all end up??? Rockford. Then everyone wonders why we have such a high crime rate and not to mention shipping the criminals to our new Jail, so when they get out, guess where they live?

I agree with this post and it is a big part of Rockford's problem. To the ones who comment on where I live we have our fair share or trouble. I do not deny it unlike some do in Rockford. We do not have a welfare problem though what we have is the Party Town that we are known to be and the City is trying to change it but not having much luck.
Have you seen the TV show Party Heat? That is what the place is about during weekends and Holidays all summer long. It brings in very large revenues but also brings in the trouble makers. Im glad to see that winter is now over there. Enjoy your summer its the best time of year there.

[BLONDY101]

Originally Posted by Capt. Dan

Any place that could produce CHEAP TRICK cant be that bad!!!

I grew up in rockford..lived there for 23 years..i moved to flordia 11 years ago..i still have family there so i visit every so often when i do it's like stepping back in time..not much has changed except more things are closed or run down..before i left lots of machine shops that kept the town going went out of business or moved out of the country..tons of people lost jobs that they had for 30 years..if new people are moving there i would like to know what there line of work is? from what i know there isn't a whole lot of choices..there also isn't alot of things to do..one mall in the area..movies..tons of bars..can't think of much else..they do have nice parks but since it's still dropping down in the 30's at night in late may what fun is that? i have been told time & time again ohh we like the seasons changing..well i'm here to tell you flordia has changing seasons too..we got mild - beautiful - hot & really hot but NO snow..the cost of living is up every where along with the price of gas & food and if something is cheaper in one place then something else is more expensive..like our gas has remained at 3.81 a gal while my mom who lives there says rockford is up 4.15 a gal but on the other hand your rent might be less..it's all about living where you want if your going to struggle why not do it somewhere you enjoy it..i live on the beach & pay 900.00 a month in rent but it's a free walk out onto the sand!!! PS...i have met cheap trick a few times the lead singer is a real JERK!!!

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by BLONDY101

..if new people are moving there i would like to know what there line of work is? from what i know there isn't a whole lot of choices.

My sister-in-law just moved there because her husband got a job at Hamilton Sunstrand (sp?). He's an engineer.

My point is that everyone knows that Rockford has fallen on hard times, so why kick her when she's down? Do you really think anyone thinks Rockford, IL is some kind of paradise? It's just adding insult to injury when you slam Rockford.

[Drover]

Holy crap, this thread is still limping along?

Someone help me find the plug for the life support machine...

[Havasu]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

My sister-in-law just moved there because her husband got a job at Hamilton Sunstrand (sp?). He's an engineer.

My point is that everyone knows that Rockford has fallen on hard times, so why kick her when she's down? Do you really think anyone thinks Rockford, IL is some kind of paradise? It's just adding insult to injury when you slam Rockford.

Yep I agree and I have put it to rest. But its still fun to see the thread revived by someone else who agrees with what I pointed out. I do think this though, now is a great time of the year to live in the Midwest. I only wish I could live there in the summer and AZ in the winter. I would pick Lake Geneva for my summer getaway. I saw a condo come on the market for $100,000 not bad at all for that area. hhhhmmmm makes me think