Beating Rockford a little more... (Chicago, Aurora: to rent, insurance, neighborhoods)

[Havasu]

Keep those comments coming, Lookout Kid you are teaching me what the truth really is. I was so wrong in thinking that the Taxes were high back there in Illinois.
I want to learn more about Obama and Blago. I know nothing about either one.
Why is Blago bad?
Why is Obama good?
Does Obama agree with Blago?
Does Blago agree with Obama?
Can you fill me in?

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Havasu

Rocky, you really need to find a way to leave. It can be done. I lived there for a while and I am soooo glad I left. It is a go nowhere City, but for the ones who live there they seem to be ok with the way things are run. I do not understand why the Property Taxes are so high with so little to offer. I see why most people who live in Illinois visit Wisconsin, it is so much nicer up there with lots more to do and see. If I had to move back I would pick Wisconsin or Iowa. Illinois is on the bottom of my list for places to live. The Governer there has made it one of the worst places to live. If you make $250,000 or more in Chicago or elsewhere, Senator Obama would like to Tax you even more. I feel for the ones who work hard and make good money because very soon they will be Taxed about 65% after all of the Taxes that are paid. Sales Tax,Tolls(yes thats a Tax),Property Taxes,Pay Roll Taxes, the list goes on and on. But they want Obama in for some strange reason. If you think you will get a Tax cut from a Democrat you are fooling yourself. Democrats do not like to ever give a Tax cut.
Rant over!!!!!

So you moved to Lake Havasu City? Its as awkward as Rockford is, just with less crime and much hotter weather. Its too isolated, too hot, too touristy, too dead-end for anyone other than retirees or Wal-Mart employees.

[Havasu]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

So you moved to Lake Havasu City? Its as awkward as Rockford is, just with less crime and much hotter weather. Its too isolated, too hot, too touristy, too dead-end for anyone other than retirees or Wal-Mart employees.

Yes I did move to Lake Havasu and there are not alot of jobs here. I myself am a business owner and have no trouble with my finances. Yes it is very hot and isolated but I like the hot and isolated. There is alot less crime here compared to Rockford, its not crime free but alot less. Its touristy and thats ok with me too since my business is tourist related, so I welcome them. Lake Havasu is not perfect and not for everyone but it is for me. I like less people and I would not like living in or near a large city. The reason I like Lake Havasu is the reason most people dont like it. If you like to be outdoors and hot then its a great place to live and you would never get bored. You can boat all year round or go four wheeling or swimming, jet skiing,hiking during the winter time, you get what I am saying. There seems to be some sort of outdoor event going on during the weekends it might be a regatta for the boater or a motocross race or jet ski races,we even have our own speedway its not as big or as good as Rockford Speedway but it does pretty good.
The taxes here are alot less. I like to keep the money I earn, if I want to give it away I will donate it to the charity of my choice. I do not have to pay to use a road that my tax dollars already paid for, and the roads are in great shape and its easy to get around town with no stop and go traffic. (part of living in a small town) The housing has taken a big hit and there are quite a few foreclosures. I think most people come here and visit and ask why would anyone live here? Thats a legitimite question and once again I anwser "I like here for all of the reasons you dont like it here."
I am not alone thinking that because we are at a population of 55,000 now and growing but slower now. Alot of the people who do live here have come from California and cashed out from a house back there. They have little debt if any and some are business owners also. So its my place where I choose to live. I hope you like where you live, if you dont get out and find where its paradise for you. Travel around the USA and see what is has to offer. My Home

[karlsch]

Originally Posted by rocky12345

Leisure acitivities consist of choosing amongst the 5000 churches......

You should never take a vacation in Italy - it's full of those horrible churches, too.

[reddragonnf]

I am sorry to say that I have to agree that Rockford does need a beating!
I am a true Rockfordian, born and raised, moved away for college and got sucked right back! I am in my late 20's and I have found that all of my Rockford friends have had the same experiences as I have.

I attended 205 schools, which I hated 11 years ago, and would NEVER send a child to today. Personally, I would only send a child to Keith Private School. I wasn't fully prepared for college 11 years ago, so I can't imagine what kids go thru now. Example: Attended Auburn High because it was my district school, my counsler never made me take a math course above Algebra. Shocker came once college started!:eek:

I grew up on the Northwest side of Rockford in the ChurchHill Grove neighborhood, which totally makes me cry today to see this side of town becoming a "GHETTO"! Those of you not from Rockford, ChurchHill Grove and Edgewater once had status...it was safe. The homes here are on the Rock River or close to it. National Ave still is beautiful, but Post, Cumberland, Melrose, ect...what lives there now!? TROUBLE meaning people who don't have pride in themselves, neighbors, homes and this cause CRIME! Granted I don't mean the people who have lived there for years, I mean the new comers from the west side of town. I am now living on the East side of town, which is now the "safe" side...no we just had a string of people breaking into homes and stealing purses in parking lots! :crying:

JOBS...what jobs! Having a MBA here is a joke, I would have to travel to Chicago to get a good paying job! I agree the the only thing here are BANK jobs, no more manufacturing! :mad:

I do disagree about the Art scence that someone else posted......Discovery Museum does a wonderful job! We have Jane the dino and a great place for young children to play. Also, the yearly Art Walk, home parade, Anderson Gardens, and MidWay Village!:ok:

The only reason I returned to Rockford was to care for a ill parent. My father has passed, and I am going to be passing on Rockford as well. I joined this forum to find info on Washinton state, and thanks to the input I got that's where I'm headed! To those who are consdiering Rockford, go North (Rockton/Roscoe) or West (Freeport)...now that the GREAT govener we have wants to close parks, I wouldn't even recommend Orgeon!

[rocky12345]

You should never take a vacation in Italy - it's full of those horrible churches, too.

Churches are fine. Religion and belief is good. But I wonder what is says about a population when there 5 churches/person in a "city". Makes me feel like I am living in a bible belt.

[BlueSimple]

If you feel that, then I can only assume you haven't been too deep into the bible belt... But yeah, Rockford does have a lot of churches. Personally, I do not see a lot of churches as a good thing. Some do. And comparing a midwestern town's churches with something as impressive as the religious architecture in Italy is just an ignorant comparison. That makes no point at all.

I am from Rockford and am currently in my late 20's here. I was born and raised here on the Northeast side and have left and come back many times. I am currently relocating from the area to Colorado in the next two weeks. I have had my issues with the city but I cannot hate on it. I hated it when I was a bit younger but that was mainly because there was "nothing to do." Personally I believe anywhere you are is what you make of it. My attitude changed and my perception improved.

Many people say that they are surprised it's not Chicago. How is that surprising. It's not a suburb. Why would I want Rockford to be like Chicago? That's what Chicago is for! Chicago is Chicago. I laugh when people in the suburbs say they are from Chicago myself. I'm sorry, but St. Charles and Joliet? They aren't Chicago either. Hate to rain on your parade.

I have never understood the constant Rockford-bashing. It seems to come from two main groups, small minded people who are from here and constantly whine about where they are yet do nothing about it, and people who come in from other areas making snap judgements. It's very far from a perfect place, probably less perfect than most. You find a perfect place please, by all means let me know, I will buy property there.

Fine dining? Yeah, severely lacking there. But it is not much better in the suburbs until you actually get to the city of Chicago itself.

The school system is not great, but I have known people that went through the public system here their entire life and are extremely intelligent people with good jobs. Another thing that maybe the parents could stand to take a little more blame for....worthless kids. I personally cannot relate because I went to a private local school, Keith Day School, for 13 years and never went to a public institution until college. I can tell you there are many perceptions about that school also, and most of them are wrong as well.

There are not a lot of jobs here and that won't be changing anytime soon. You can find a job all day long for $7.00 an hour, but that's the same in most similar-sized cities. And actually, while the medical establishment can be kind of hard to deal with at times, the Rockford region is noted for it's excellent health facilities and variety of care. It is a good town I believe, for entrepreneurship. If you have an idea and the wherewithal you can make money here. it has happened more than you think.

What people forget though is how much wealth is in this city. There is an incredible amount of money in Rockford, per capita it is on pace with Chicago itself. This town, while not at it's best for a long time, is not going anywhere. Barring the city of Chicago itself, there is no where in Illinois itself that I would rather be that I can think of, certainly not any suburb.

Hate on it all you like, it's a good home base. I have travelled and spent time all over the country and travelled internationally and some of the best people I have ever known have been from this area.

[everwinter]

Rockford, Sufjan Stevens wrote you a beautiful song off the Illinois album called

To The Workers Of The Rockford River Valley Region, I Have An Idea Concerning Your Predicament, And It Involves Shoe String, A Lavender Garland, And Twelve Strong Women

It sounds like a river flowing.

I know several good people from Rockford.
Rejoice you could be living in Chicago or the suburbs.

[Ashbury5339]

BlueSimple, thank you for a well written response to the Rockford Bashing. You pretty much said everything that was needed. I can't believe all the bitterness people have towards a city. Is it really Rockford's fault they are so bitter? Sounds more like personal issues to me...

Listen, Rockford is not the best place in the world, but certainly not the worst. I would describe it as "normal." Nothing fancy, nothing out of the ordinary, just kind of plain or vanilla. From my perspective, it's very middle class. Just a typical city that struggles a little more than most in tough economic times. I grew up near there and loved it. I always look forward to returning to see family. There definitely is a crime problem there, but it's mostly concentrated, so it's easy to avoid. I went to a Big Ten University, where I knew quite a few Rockford kids, and they were all just as smart as the next. I know the public schools there are in a rut, but aren't most public schools in larger cities rife with problems?

I can understand people being negative on the place. Rockford Bashing is a time honored tradition that is as old as the city itself that has been passed down through generations. But, I'm just saying it could be a lot worse.... I know a lot of bright, wonderful, and kind people in that city that I would put up against anyone.

But I have to mention this... My friend recently forwarded me a photo of a billboard there for Taco Bell that read "Voted #1 Mexican Restaurant in Rockford." I dont' know if that's sad or just hilarious???

[milrock0912]

I completely agree with the above. I was born, raised, attended school, and graduated high school in Rockford's inner city near the "concentrated" crime area and I'm alive and surviving pretty well at Marquette. Not to mention that no member of my family nor have I ever been a victim of that crime.If you place a kid in a candy shop it doesnt mean he'll find what he wants. Just as if you place an unfamiliar person in Rockford who has no idea where to find fun, he probably wont.