Moving to Rockford area...HELP!! (Belvidere, Machesney Park: real estate, property taxes, tornado)

[TBoseman]

My husband is accepting a job in Rockford but after reading the post, I'm concerned about the schools and crime. I have a son starting high school next year, so I'm interested in a neighborhood with nice housing, good schools, and friendly neighbors with children our sons age. Can anyone recommend anywhere? My son has been in private school in the past but I wasn't happy with the sense of entitlement some of the children (and parents) seemed to have in private school so I would prefer a high quality, safe, high school. Please help. You may email me at tam1840@aol.com. Also, we are moving from NC so I'm wondering about if there is any prejudice against semi-southerners?

[Paxtonian]

It's been 143 years, we no longer harm Traitors to the Union, um... I mean Southerners.

[Jeff Hill]

I still have no idea why the people on this board overlook Boone County. Boone County is just 5-10 minutes east of Rockford and it has some fantastic areas. Caladonia is nice, Poplar Grove has some great subdivisions outside of Candlewick, and the rural areas of Belvidere are great.

[sbd78]

Hononegah High School which serves most of Rockton and Roscoe is probably the best public high school in the Rockford area. It rates a 9 out of 10 on Greatschools.net Hononegah High School - Rockton, Illinois - IL - school overview

[Havasu]

Stay out of The City of Rockford. Outside City limits isnt so bad Jeff Hill made a good point about Boone County. Up north towards Rockton and Roscoe is also nicer.
Check out how much Real Estate Taxes will be though.

[Wayjler]

I live in Rockford so here's my take...

Rockton/Roscoe would be a good choice. Loves Park/Machesney Park would be second.
If it has to be Rockford proper, I would look on the far east side. Near Rock Vally College or the like. Guilford HS seems to be OK. Don't hear of many problems there. But be prepared for the property taxes. I have a $120,000 home and pay $4000 a year in property taxes.

Myself, I would avoid Boone county. They have a lot of school problems and problems with gang bangers. Well, in Belvidere anyway.

[dubuqueaskme]

I live in eastern Iowa and am VERY familiar with the region of north central and northwestern Illinois... I would recommend

1. Northern Winnebago County; Rockton, Roscoe, Machesney, all are great areas, but beware of the home-builders that are frauds.

2. North Central Ogle County; Oregon and Byron are essentially what the small Midwestern town is... friendly people, slow paced, along a river, good schools, good people.

3. Boone County (particularly northern, north of 90) Belvidere is a pretty nice city, I like it, and Poplar Grove/Caledonia were actually hit by a tornado, believe it or not, on January 6th I believe. Big deal there... Otherwise, PG and Cale are great, small towns that I find very desirable

[xxJoyfulxx]

Belvidere schools do not have any problems with "gang bangers", that is so incorrect that it's funny to me. Belvidere is a small town with decent schools; you're more likely to find - what people would call - rednecks, than any "gangs" or drugs & violence problems. That just doesn't happen here.

[exberwynite]

Yes, there's gangs in Belvidere. The older part of Belvidere is predominately Spanish, schools are overflowing. Isn't it Belvidere that had to cut back on sports and change their hours / periods because of overpopulation? There's definately rivalry in Belvidere.

Can't say Rockford is any better, however. (We live there, but have kids in grammar school). Harlem schools are rated better than Rockford, but they've had several teachers strikes.

And, just because you live in a certain town, doesn't necessarily mean you go to that town school... there's tons of Machesney Park, Loves Park, some Caledonia and some Roscoe residents going to Rockford schools.

I personally think it's what you make of it... and who your child hangs out with.

Rockford Christian seems to be a good choice for private, seems popular in this part of Rockford anyway. We're far East... State and Perryville area. Haven't come across much crime myself, but read it in the paper daily.

[funkymcnasty]

My last child will graduate from Hononegah this year. If I had children starting in school today, I would definitely opt for private schools. Public schools are way to liberal for my liking.