Moving To Dixon/Sterling area, any idea's on good neighborhoods? Schools? etc. (Chicago: real estate market)

[windycityinthebluegrass]

We are moving to the Sterling/Dixon area ( not too sure which town) but I am wondering if anyone knows of the good neighborhoods in either town, schools, churches, etc? How about jobs, are there any? I heard that the unemployment rate is high there. I also heard that Sterling/Rock Falls is having a lot of problems with drugs and drug dealers. Anyone know about that? Please let me know!!! I am moving because my parents are old and we are going there to care for them.
Thanks.
WindyCityInTheBlueGrass

[Steve-o]

Dixon and Sterling have very few good jobs, be prepared for that. What field are you in? Drugs are a problem in the area, as kids dont really have much else to do. The towns are small, there is zero nightlife, etc, etc. The one good thing about the area is the short distance to places like Castle Rock State Park, Blackhawk State Park, Lowden-Miller State Forest, etc. Fishing, hunting, etc, are very good in that area, if youre into that sort of thing.

[dubuqueaskme]

Oh Please, do not listen to that. There are drug problems everywhere. Dixon and Sterling are fine. They aren't great, but they are fine. Dixon is pretty dumpy in some spots, but overall it is a nice town. Sterling is a town that I prefer more. When we lived in Illinois, we lived in Oregon, Illinois, North on Route 2, and it is a great town, far surpasses the quality of life of Dixon/Sterling and only about a 20 minute drive. Anyway, I would recommend Sterling over Dixon, Dixon is becoming overrun with Hispanics. I am not sure of the job market, but it can not be that bad. The drug problem is NOT bad, in fact, I don't recall any drug busts in my five years of living there.

[GraniteStater]

I think Dixon, IL was the childhood home of Ronald Reagan.

[Rosa B]

There is drugs all over our country. I feel the Sterling schools are better than Rock Falls because when my children moved from Sterling to Rock Falls they were more advanced. Our area is laid back but our community is there to help out people when they need it.We have a very caring community.Yes there has been murders but alot of the problem is Chicago and Rockford drug dealers coming to our area.There is always a need for nurses in our area.The housing is fairly cheap in the area also.

[mamaofmonkeys]

I have lived in Dixon most of my life. I enjoy the small town feel with the benefits of larger towns/cities nearby(Dekalb, Rockford, La Salle). I think the north side of town is a bit better, but the East side and even some of the West side are making progress. I would recommend Dixon over Sterling/Rock Falls for schools, but it all depends on what You want out of the town. You will run into drug problems anywhere you go, I do agree nurses are in HIGH demand here, and as for factory type jobs, we have a lot, the pay isn't the greatest though. Sterling has more to offer shopping and eating out wise. I think it's a nice area, but if you want a smaller town, look into Franklin Grove/Ashton/Oregon/Amboy. All are great little towns! Hope this helps a bit! Good Luck!!!

[decidingwheretolive]

I grew up in Rock Falls and currently live in Sterling. I am looking to move out of here. My husband and I moved back here to start a family because it was close to family and housing was cheap. The proximity to the Quad Cities/Rockford/Chicago is nice so you can occasionally go to any of those places pretty quickly. I prefer Sterling although south of Rock Falls in the Montmorency School District is a nice area for families. Property taxes are high in Sterling, not sure about Dixon. There are some nice areas in Dixon too. The better neighborhoods are fairly obvious. I don't know of any major drug problems. I think the local police/newspaper blow any drug arrests way out of proportion. There are plenty of churches. Sterling schools are decent. Job market is bad, unless you are in the medical field. Real Estate market isn't great, which is why we are still stuck here. If you like small town living it's an ok place. Safe place for families, some nice parks around. Not much for teens to do though. And very few decent restaurants.

[Jeremy87]

I live in Sterling currently, was in Amboy (which is 20 mins away). I can say besides just recently with the whole Nick Sheeley thing Sterling isn't horrible in crime... but like others said its gonna happen where ever you go. Dixon I've never really heard much. I think in my opinion being in the smaller towns around Dixon/Sterling like Amboy are alot worse. Being that I spent some of my high school time at Amboy HS their really is nothing to do for kids except drink and party and get into trouble. Jobs are very bad in pay with the exception of the Wal-Mart Distribution. Id suggest Dixon if I had a choice... but I dont know. Its your decision I myself am trying to relocate far far away from this area so my opinion is probably a little biased.

[lovelyldy]

I'm pretty sure hispanics did not run down Dixon. If someone were to think logically, it would be the drugs. But you know, who am I to point the first finger.