Living in Galena/Jo Davies Co.??? (Chicago, Rockford: for sale, rental, houses)

[summer's best]

I'm currently living in a Chicago suburb, but am ready to deal with less traffic and more beauty and a more relaxed pace.

What is it like to live in the Galena area year round? Any recommendations as to towns with a good community effort in the cultural or restaurant realms? Can I have it all?

Thanks.

[Steve-o]

Ive never lived in Galena, but visit it frequently. Its a charming town, probably the most charming town in the midwest IMO. Houses are not expensive, nor is the cost of living compared to Chicagoland. The arts/culinary scene is getting better there year round, thanks in part to a few new galleries in town. Nightlife is really good for such a small town, and the scenery is my favorite in Illinois. There are also a few ski resorts (one of them in Galena) nearby for your winter sport desires, if you have any.

Id recommend looking in the Galena Territory area. Beautiful homes (although most are rental properties) and all set on nice land with big hills. You cant go wrong in there...

[XtremeBiker278]

I as well have not lived there, but I go to through there to see my girlfriend, who goes to school in Dubuque, IA (right next to it). Anyways, Galena is a fun town if you are into history. They provide tours of mansions and other things as well. It is very relaxing, with some very nice restaraunts (although prety pricey for the area). US 20 takes you through Galena, and the traffic is never that bad. They do not have a lot of houses for sale, as mentioned above, but if you look, you can get a great deal on a decent sized house. As for seasonal offerings, I habent been to much considering I only go tehre 5 or 6 times a year, but it seems like Galena, as well as Stockton and Elizabeth have some decent offerings. For more things to do, you can go to Rockford (less than 100 miles away), which has nearly as much to do as Chicago. Or, you go further west on US 20, and end up in Dubuque, IA (less than 20 miles away), which is another relaxing town with a decent amount to offer.