Is Kankakee really that bad???? (Chicago, Aurora: low crime, attorney, buying a home)

[kemet7]

Any opinions on the article featured for the former model named Tehari who has organic farming land in Pembroke Twp.? I want to know (from insiders, or relatives of insiders please) if there are a lot of farmers there and what the community is really like.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by jo_bee

You compared Sterlnig, IL to Nogales, AZ? Wow.

Um, nooooo. This is regarding Kankakee. And I never said it compared to Nogales. Re-read.

[Gregoravich]

Yeah, don't live in Kankakee if you don't have to. It's better to live in Bradley/Bourbonnais. I lived in Kankakee for 14 years and it was never that great of an experience. My family moved after I graduated from junior high so I've only been back a handful of times in the last six years to visit family and it hasn't gotten any better. From the time I went to kindergarten thru my graduation of junior high I witnessed a fight break out almost every day. You can't get a decent education there, the teachers can't control the students and it's just not a good learning environment period.

The schools spend a lot of time preparing for state tests to get more money and less time on actual teaching. Once I moved to Southern Illinois my freshman year in high school I had to retake Algebra 1 because I failed the first semester of algebra 2, even though I passed algebra 1 in 8th grade with flying colors.

I went back last month and visited my grandma who lives right across the street from my old house, which is where my uncle lives now and the old lady next door died and has been replaced by a crack dealer and pimp. And there had been a couple murders withing a three block radius of my old house so I'm really happy I got out of there. Hope this helps.

[valpoguy]

Originally Posted by Switch625

Since when is Kankakee in Chicagoland?

It's not part of the Chicago Metro Area (yet), but is part of the Chicago Combined Statistical Area. These are official census bureau terms.

Since Chicagoland is an informal term, its definition varies from person to person. Since it's part of the CSA, though, it certainly doesn't seem ridiculous for some to consider it to be part of Chicagoland.

[DianaIL]

Hi - I was in a band for a few years and we played in Kankakee every single weekend. The people there are really nice- very friendly, very down home. It does have it's run down sections, but just like many towns do. Bourbonnais and Bradley are right next door and those are very nice communities. Good luck to you!

Diana

[artemis]

Have you ever considered going over the State Line to Indiana? Lake & Newton counties are right on the line. Kankakee is 35 miles from Lowell, IN.

Lower property & State income taxes. Cheaper sales tax too,

[GetMeOutOfKankakee]

I must warn anyone thinking of moving here:
I have lived in Kankakee all my life. I have been trying to get out for years! I lived most of my life in Limestone (just west of kankakee) which is in the Herscher School District. It's not just the city of Kankakee that is bad, but the whole Kankakee County. Even Herscher is not all that great (though better than most areas in the county). We have a very bad drug problem, domestic violence is like a hobbie here, and the people are more rude here than any place I have ever been to in my life, including any other country I have traveled to! I have now come to the point where I only shop in the Franfort/Orland area (I would live there but cannot afford it)! I work in retail and I have to deal with rudeness all day. Some people are nice. About every other tenth customer treats you nice and they're probably from out of town! LOL!
Oh yeah - AND TRY TO STAY AWAY FROM THE METRA BUS! THE BUS RIDERS, OR "BUS PEOPLE," AS WE CALL THEM, ARE EVEN MORE CRAZY THAN THE REST OF THEM!
I just don't understand why people in this area must be so bitter and hateful. They seem like very unhappy people. I don't know, maybe it's just me, but I am still trying to save up and get out of here and never look back. They're a different breed of people here. A very, very different breed!

[pennylove76]

I grew up in K3 and I now live in PA. I visit K3 about 2 times per year. I must admit that I miss it and I am somewhat offended by the negative comments. However, as a wide & mother of a 1 year old I can honestly say I would not want to move my family there.

The main problem I find is that there is not enough economic opportunities for people there. Even the most remedial jobs are coveted and can be hard to get. Also, there are not enough families with multiple generations of college degreed relatives. As a result, many families continue a cycle of settling and never going beyond. I think if the area can get more jobs and money poured into education it would greatly benefit the entire community.

Also, the area needs to have better public transportation that connects to Chicago. I was born & raised in K3 & I did not really begin to experience Chicago until after I had moved away. I think if there was more direct transportation directly to Chicago then residents would have more to do & experience.

[trinity7774]

Kankakee to work is fine. I lived 1/2 hr west of there for about 2 yrs in Reddick/Essex area. Which I really loved! But boyfriend and I broke up so much back to the big burbs of Chicago. Anyhow. I wouldn't live IN Kankakee. Move west or north of it. Braidwood is an EXCELLENT town! However, they have the Com Ed Plant there, but on a good note because of that, they have excellent school because the taxes are paid by the plant. Anyhow, Bourbonnais is closer to Kankakee. And it's a really nice town. I would suggest staying away from Wilmington. A bit of a hillbilly town. Anyhow, definitely check out the area before you go. Make sure you check out the state park down there. It's one of the best I have EVER seen! Anyhow, small town is much better than the Chicago burbs I live in. Definitely go for the experience!

[trinity7774]

Originally Posted by artemis

Have you ever considered going over the State Line to Indiana? Lake & Newton counties are right on the line. Kankakee is 35 miles from Lowell, IN.

Lower property & State income taxes. Cheaper sales tax too,

OH GOSH YES!!!! That is a great idea! LOWELL is the best town EVER!!!!! I lived in NW Indiana (Saint John to be exact) and I LOVED Lowell. Just don't move onto Lake Dalecarlia! It's a complete dump!!! (the lake itself) Cedar Lake btw, is REALLY booming and really pretty with all the new condos just built!

Anyhow, lots of expressways in NW Indiana. Very great place to live! MUCH safer than Kankakee area. and not much traffic at all!