Is Kankakee really that bad???? (Peoria, Decatur: environment, attorney, travel)

[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!

[Jons99]

Bye.......

[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!

[ersta]

Kankakee is a good place to live. It is the largest city in the county and thusly, have more crime. The problem is all the crime for the city of Kankakee is reported. The crimes that happens in other areas (Bradley, Bourbonnais, Manteno) aren't reported as much because they are the areas being showcased by our county leaders. Kankakee, however has the water. As long as there is water there is viability.

We just need to cleanup our local politics.

[nickz]

i live in a small town outside of kankakee and its rumored that whenever there are break ins in our town. its often from the gangs of kankakee using our town as a sort of initiation point for new members. personally, i go to kankakee all the time and the only place i really dont mind being at is the northfield square mall area. along with the new kolhs shopping center and the new bradley village square going up with all the new shops. all in all, kankakee might not be such a great place right now but with all the business coming in from usually northern located restaurants and shops there should be a drop in unemployment and then an overall drop in crime.