Relocating from Los Angeles to Illinois (where do we move to?) (Chicago: house, school district) - (IL) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

Martlueb · 02-18-2009, 10:30 PM

If you are being relocated to Rockford, there are some nice areas fairly unexpensive compared to some Chicago Suburbs. Belvidere has some new developments that are very nice and not too far to commute, probably less or around 30 minutes. Elgin west has really nice neighborhoods too. but about an hour away. I do Real Estate in Elgin but can help you in the Rockford or Belvidere area if you need help, I have worked with relocation before.

knitgirl · 02-20-2009, 12:26 PM

I have a cousin who moved from Algonquin to South Beloit. They have a beautiful home and that would be reasonably close to Rockford. I wouldn't live farther away than Huntley or Woodstock, myself. If you do end up out here, be prepared for a shock. Winter here is not the same as going on a ski trip. We are expecting 6 inches of snow tonite, we've already had 44, which is more than average.

Steve-o · 02-21-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruz2009

Funny thing is that you're the second person to tell me that. A friend asked why I would trade the LA weather for Illinois (and he lives in Illinios!)

We are actually open minded and do love cold. Our family loves going to Big Bear each winter to see snow. I certainly know that Big Bear's snow does not compare to Illinois, but we do love that weather. Where is Cherry Valley?

So far people have recommended the following:
Byron
Sycamore
Crystal Lake/Woodstock
Winnebago (mixed opinions)

I have a simple map that I printed from Mapquest and don't see Cherry Valley there. Since my husband's job would be in Rockford, I am looking for neighborhoods in that area.

Well, put it this way. It would be like someone moving from Lakeview in Chicago to Needles, CA. Not exactly a move that everyone would cheer for, ya know? There are TONS of excellent areas in Illinois, but Rockford isnt one of them. There are many nice areas of Rockford, but overall its not highly recommended, thats all.

And regarding snow, Im not familiar with Big Bear. If that is some mountain town in CA or some ski resort, I can tell you that it more than likely gets a lot more snow than IL does, if you can believe that.

Oh and Sycamore is a great town, but its a bit far for your husband. I would say its a good 45 minutes to an hour to Rockford, but it would be a lot longer on days when we get snow.

Central Illinois 1 · 02-21-2009, 09:17 AM

In all honesty, if I were settled in SoCal, had a job there, and lived in a good neighborhood, I would definitely stay there. If you love LA, chances are you will not like the small town midwest as life in these towns is pretty much the polar opposite. Really...

Drover · 02-21-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Oh and Sycamore is a great town, but its a bit far for your husband. I would say its a good 45 minutes to an hour to Rockford, but it would be a lot longer on days when we get snow.

Depends on what part of Rockford he works in. I used to be able to make it from the west end of St. Charles to the east end of Rockford in about 50 minutes. The trick is I'd take back roads the entire way. Take 23 from Sycamore up to Genoa, then just outside of Genoa hop on Cherry Valley Road and you're at the southeastern edge of Rockford in about half an hour.

Steve-o · 02-21-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drover

Depends on what part of Rockford he works in. I used to be able to make it from the west end of St. Charles to the east end of Rockford in about 50 minutes. The trick is I'd take back roads the entire way. Take 23 from Sycamore up to Genoa, then just outside of Genoa hop on Cherry Valley Road and you're at the southeastern edge of Rockford in about half an hour.

When I lived in Sycamore, Id take a similar route to Rockford, and it would vary between 40 minutes to 2 hours, depending on weather conditions. I cant remember the exact route, but I believe we would take 23 north from 64 in Sycamore all the way up until it T's off in Genoa, then hook a left through downtown Genoa and take West Main to CR-13 up to Rockford. Some days wasnt too bad, but on snowy days, they didnt plow the roads well out in the country, and it was quite treacherous, especially with blowing snow.

cruz2009 · 02-21-2009, 10:23 PM

Thank you all for your feedback, nothing is confirmed yet, but will continue to explore the opportunity. LA is wonderful and cant complain about the weather. Life in LA is just too busy, not as bas as NY I am sure. Illinois happens to be the opportunity that is presenting itself, and want to atleast explore the possibility. All of your comments have been very helpful.

Big Bear is a mountain area that gets lots of snow, 2 hours from LA. I am sure their snow doesnt compare to what you guys get in Illinois. I think what is tempting is just the quality of life... LA is too stressful and in case you havent heard our state's economy is super bad. How is Illinois economy? Can any of you comment on the quality of life there? Is it stressful?

Drover · 02-21-2009, 11:44 PM

Let's see if we can give you a local comparison.

Imagine Fresno, only 1/4th the size and twice as boring. That's Rockford for you. It's a frayed, post-industrial Rust Belt small city but with big-city urban blight. Oh, and that snow and cold up in the mountains you like to play in for a few hours at a time? Imagine living in it for months on end. We've had many days this winter that never made it out of the single digits, and a couple that never made it above zero. You can't just drive a couple hours to get away from the snow and cold. You have to drive for days or get on a plane.

I understand that some people truly hate L.A. and will consider living just about anywhere to get out. You don't sound like one of those people. Instead you sound like one of those "the grass may or may not be greener on the other side" types. Except for the fact that everything literally is greener around here at least late spring through early fall.... figuratively speaking, it just doesn't sound like this would be the right move for you. I realize that's kind of a presumptuous thing to say and only you know for sure whether it's the right move or not, but my instincts are telling me you're better off staying put than moving to the Rockford area.

Central Illinois 1 · 02-22-2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruz2009

Thank you all for your feedback, nothing is confirmed yet, but will continue to explore the opportunity. LA is wonderful and cant complain about the weather. Life in LA is just too busy, not as bas as NY I am sure. Illinois happens to be the opportunity that is presenting itself, and want to atleast explore the possibility. All of your comments have been very helpful.

Big Bear is a mountain area that gets lots of snow, 2 hours from LA. I am sure their snow doesnt compare to what you guys get in Illinois. I think what is tempting is just the quality of life... LA is too stressful and in case you havent heard our state's economy is super bad. How is Illinois economy? Can any of you comment on the quality of life there? Is it stressful?

Life can be stressful in Illinois too. We have about a $9 billion state budget deficit at the moment, which is less that the $40 billion deficit that CA has. However, keep in mind that we have less than half the population. I was in Orance Co. last month and heard on the radio that Sourthern California had about a 9% unemployment rate, which I would say is very comparable to many parts of Illinois. The cost of housing is generally lower in Illinois (at least for the "average" type of home). But luxury, executive style homes are very expensive everywhere and Illinois is no exception. Keep in mind that the average price of a home in a place like Rockford is lower than most parts of CA because of less demand for the housing there and that is because relatively few people want o locate there. If I were you, I still say that I would strongly consider staying in CA

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ngrome · 02-23-2009, 08:35 AM

I lived in Southern Cal for a few years, so Rockford is going to be quite a cultural shock for you because I grew up in neighboring Belvidere. To have any semblance of a metropolitan area, a town close to Chicago would be more appealing, but since your husband's job is out there, you will feel you are in a small town compared to having lived in LA. Nothing bad, just the truth. Good luck.