Best Neighborhoods in Ottawa (Chicago, Naperville: renters, house, buy)

[italgal]

We are considering a move to Ottawa, and are looking for recommendations on the best neighborhoods in Ottawa. Specifically, we are looking for neighborhoods that are mostly owner occupied, and those that do not have a lot of crime/drug/domestic violence problems. Please give us some direction as to where we should look, and what areas we should avoid. We are coming in to Ottawa knowing very little about the town. Most of what we have learned has been positive...but we also have gotten the impression that there might be some areas where a lot of young single mothers are living with individuals who have migrated west from Chicago, and have significant gang affiliations. I believe these would all be renters, and, if there is such a thing as a "run down" part of Ottawa, this is probably the area where they are living. We need to know where this/these areas are!! Realtors get uncomfortable discussing these issues...and there are frequently great values in housing in these areas. We don't want to find a good buy in a home, only to discover the neighborhood stinks! We have already been steered away from Streator for this very reason. Some very nice homes...good values...but a lot of crime/drug problems from what we have been told. Please help! PS - we are Catholic, so any information you would have about the various parishes would also be much appreciated!

[BLOOMINGTONIAN]

Although I have lived here in Bloomington since getting out of Ottawa High School in the 80's, I still have family and friends in the Ottawa area. I would not discourage you from moving to Ottawa as it has its nice points. It has easy access to Chicagoland (about 40 minutes to the suburbs) adequate shopping (if you include a quick 15 mile sprint west on I-80 to the Peru mall area) and a few nice restaurants and quaint coffee shops. However, do not move to Ottawa thinking it will be like Mayberry. It has a very Northern Illinois feel to it (not nearly as friendly as Central Illinois) and like most towns, is struggling to improve its service based and technology based economy. And there are drugs in Ottawa, lots of them. Ottawa was known as Cocaine Central in the 80's/90's and the High School is now even more passionately referred to as Heroine High. There is a large "lower middle class" segment to Ottawa, but a lot of truly great people as well. Good neighborhoods are (like in most towns) at the outer edge, far north or far south. Lots of new housing going up and seems like a lot of new retail coming in lately. Especially up north due to the easy access to I-80. Ottawa is no Bloomington or Naperville, but it can be a liveable area just the same. Just don't pretend that it is more than it is. A small industrial city trying to re-define itself. Good luck. (Lots of Catholic churches by the way)

[shadow91]

I lived on the south side, wonderful home, but the house next door were "renters" boy was I in for a shock when we got new tennants next door. Awful!!! My house sat empty for one month and the kids living next door broke into my home and was using it as a "place to smoke dope, drink beer and entertain minor girls" is what the police told me when they caught them. You need to really check out the neighborhood first if you don't want renters next door. When I bought my home an older couple lived next door, I ASSUMED they owned the home. WRONG. Anyway, Ottawa is a beautiful little city. Growing fast. There is much to do there than Streator. Walking in the evening is great in the summer time. People are friendly, waving and speaking to you even if they don't know you. Good luck to you in your move, you will not regret it.