Relocating from Los Angeles to Illinois (where do we move to?) (Chicago: home, neighborhoods)

[cruz2009]

My husband has received a tentative offer for a job in Rockford. We currently live in sunny Los Angeles and want to explore the option further. Of course one of our considerations would be, where do we move to? We currently have a 45-60 minute commute but would love to decrease that if we decide to move to Illinois. We have two small children in Elementary school, therefore finding a nice area with good schools is a priority. I have read to definately not consider Rockford as a place to live, what are your thoughts or suggestions? Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

[Steve-o]

Youre gonna hate it! hahaha

If you come with an open mind to Northern Illinois you might just like it. But if you like warm weather year round, no snow and mountains, IL will be a nightmare to you. Id look into somewhere like Cherry Valley, I hear its pretty nice there.

[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.

[ccjarider]

Southern WI is very nice. If you are willing to drive one hr to work you could live in southern Dane Cty, close to Madison which is a cool city.

Wi has more hills and scenery. Taxes are higher in WI but you are coming from CA (high tax state also) so it may not bother you.

[soulful]

If you are willing to drive one hour, 61 miles per mapquest, you could live in Barrington, IL. Barrington is a beautiful wealthyish suburb of Chicago (but pretty far out so you wouldn't hit too much traffic between Barrington and Rockford). Great charming downtown, etc.

[soulful]

Here is a link to the stats on Cherry Valley:
http://www.city-data.com/city/Cherry...-Illinois.html

Cherry Valley is in the same county as Rockford and only minutes away. It is right by CherryVale Mall (people often call the mall CherryValley in error since it is by Cherry Valley, IL). It is the largest mall, anchored by Macy's, in the Rockford area.

If you go to www.city-data.com you can find profiles like this with every statistic imaginable about even small towns (not the city data forums, where you are reading this...but the main home page of city data)

[susancruzs]

I would try to decrease the driving time and distance if possible, remember you have to consider the winter time driving, too.

Its just me but I wouldn't consider 60 miles as an hour drive, only in perfect conditions and not if you have to use any 2 lane roads!

[Mike Denali]

Everything remotely close to Rockford, west, north and south of Rockford is going to be very rural feel, with limited cultural offerings and more of a small town feel. You'll probably feel starved for the things you have in LA. Civilization lies to the east about an hour.

You won't find a good school district in Rockford or east of Rockford until you get to Barrington. Get as far north in barrington district 220 as you can. Then you can get on RT 176 and run straight to Rockford. It's wide open 65-75mph and it's mostly 4 lane divided and well maintained in the winter as a truck route. You can also switch onto 90 south of Marengo and in Belvidere. Much better than fighting traffic to get to I90 and then out. North Barrington is the area to look at. The elementary school there is tops too.

You might also try west in Freeport, but I don't know about their schools.

[Drover]

No good school districts between Rockford and Barrington? What a load of crap.

[thePR]

Originally Posted by Mike Denali

You won't find a good school district in Rockford or east of Rockford until you get to Barrington. Get as far north in barrington district 220 as you can. Then you can get on RT 176 and run straight to Rockford. It's wide open 65-75mph and it's mostly 4 lane divided and well maintained in the winter as a truck route. You can also switch onto 90 south of Marengo and in Belvidere. Much better than fighting traffic to get to I90 and then out. North Barrington is the area to look at. The elementary school there is tops too.

Shenanigans! Northeastern Illinois has plenty of good schools!