Sterling/rock falls (Chicago, Jacksonville, Dixon: renting, hotel, homes)

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

Eh, sorry if I came off as rude. I was only bringing it up because the new 2007 Census updates just came out for all states in the US. I am a Census junkie so I was doing a comparison between all the metros. Yes, I lived in the KC metro for over 20 years and have relatives who live in the MPLS metro. I am sorry if I am going off topic, but the new stats show MPLS leading (Scott, Carver, Washington, and Dakota counties)
Scott County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau
Carver County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau
Dakota County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau
Washington County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau
The only county over 70K for median household income in the KC metro is JOCO.
Johnson County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau

On-topic- I found the Sterling/ Rock Falls area to be pleasant enough when I visitied and stopped for lunch about four years ago. The people were very friendly to me The scenery was also quite nice compared to eastern Illinois south of Chicagoland.

Cool. No problem.

One thing I REALLY like about my kids school is that the schools in JOCO are so good that we get a whole bunch of people that live in apartments in the area so they can have their kids atttend school here. This is GREAT because I don't want my kids growing thinking that everyone makes 6-figures and goes to Florida every year if they want.

All the best, the Minneapolis area is great...I lived in Chicago for years but LOVE the area I'm in now especially when it's in the 70's next week.

[Kommando]

Hi all,

We are looking for a place to rent in Sterling and have found nothing. We have not resort to apartment listing yet but looks like it is just a matter of time. Through a real estate agent, we have not found a home that is big enough for us to rent. A safe neighborhood is in the top of our priority.

Not being in or near Sterling is definite a disadvantage in looking a home to rent in this small town. Making a 2-3 hour drive trip to Sterling without any possibility at hand seem to be low yield.

I will keep on trying until May-ish, then we will start apartment frenzy. Hope we never have to get to that point.

[linicx]

It looks like Peoria, IL is about 65 from Rock Falls. There is all kinds of stuff for teens from pro sports, observatory, Riverfront Plaza, national acts at the Civic Center, reginal state fair, zoo and 60+ parks in the Peoria Park Distrct, movie theaters, performing arts, etc., in addition to uptown shopping and dining. Check the Peoria Journal Star online to see what's going on. In the past they've had anime conventions and GPS mountain bike challenges. There is a local club. I'll skip the libraries museum and food fairs. Most of the good stuff is listed in the newspaper. If your mom looks for Trader Joe's , Cosco or Whole Foods, she'll only find it in Chicago. TJ and WF are in the Loop. Costco is in varous locations around the loop incluing one south of Midway airport and north of 1-80. IL is a farming state and almost 2/3 of the population lives in Chicago or its suburbs. Rural life is generally slower, more quiet, and more clannish. If you have always lived in Phoenix, you'll find blue jeans and ball caps are more pupular than ties and Gucci shoes. Relax and take your time to get to know folks. You'll find they're pretty good people.

[Kommando]

Originally Posted by linicx

It looks like Peoria, IL is about 65 from Rock Falls. There is all kinds of stuff for teens from pro sports, observatory, Riverfront Plaza, national acts at the Civic Center, reginal state fair, zoo and 60+ parks in the Peoria Park Distrct, movie theaters, performing arts, etc., in addition to uptown shopping and dining. Check the Peoria Journal Star online to see what's going on. In the past they've had anime conventions and GPS mountain bike challenges. There is a local club. I'll skip the libraries museum and food fairs. Most of the good stuff is listed in the newspaper. If your mom looks for Trader Joe's , Cosco or Whole Foods, she'll only find it in Chicago. TJ and WF are in the Loop. Costco is in varous locations around the loop incluing one south of Midway airport and north of 1-80. IL is a farming state and almost 2/3 of the population lives in Chicago or its suburbs. Rural life is generally slower, more quiet, and more clannish. If you have always lived in Phoenix, you'll find blue jeans and ball caps are more pupular than ties and Gucci shoes. Relax and take your time to get to know folks. You'll find they're pretty good people.

Very informative post...for people interested in Peoria.

[james57]

I live in the Lost Lake area east of Dixon. It is about a 35 minute drive to Sterling from here. Lost Lake is a small gated lake community composed of about half retired folks like me and the rest younger families. Very nice area.

Just mentioned because i know that there are a number of newer vacant houses for rent in the area. You would need to contact real estate agencies in the Dixon area who would know about Lost Lake.

It may be further than you want to look, but is a very nice safe area. You can swim in the lake too!

[Kommando]

Originally Posted by james57

I live in the Lost Lake area east of Dixon. It is about a 35 minute drive to Sterling from here. Lost Lake is a small gated lake community composed of about half retired folks like me and the rest younger families. Very nice area.

Just mentioned because i know that there are a number of newer vacant houses for rent in the area. You would need to contact real estate agencies in the Dixon area who would know about Lost Lake.

It may be further than you want to look, but is a very nice safe area. You can swim in the lake too!

Awesome!

Not that I enjoy driving 35mins daily. I am currently driving 1hr each way for a bout few years now and kind of sick of it. But if I have to choose between living in a suboptimal area (such as gang, drug or unfriendly neighborhood..) and driving 35 mins each way and living in a better place, the choice is a no brainer.

I will check out Lost Lake. Thanks, James

I will continue to up date my move to Sterling area.

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by Kommando

Awesome!

Not that I enjoy driving 35mins daily. I am currently driving 1hr each way for a bout few years now and kind of sick of it. But if I have to choose between living in a suboptimal area (such as gang, drug or unfriendly neighborhood..) and driving 35 mins each way and living in a better place, the choice is a no brainer.

I will check out Lost Lake. Thanks, James

I will continue to up date my move to Sterling area.

Good point...but I bet you can find something quite satisfactory in Sterling or in one of the little subdivisions that sit a mile or two outside of town. Then you get the 10min commute. I went from >1hour each way to <15min. and it's is heaven especially now that Im sole caregiver its nice being able to get home fast if you need to pick up a puking kid from school.

[NowACyclone]

Originally Posted by Kommando

Hi all,

We are looking for a place to rent in Sterling and have found nothing. We have not resort to apartment listing yet but looks like it is just a matter of time. Through a real estate agent, we have not found a home that is big enough for us to rent. A safe neighborhood is in the top of our priority.

Not being in or near Sterling is definite a disadvantage in looking a home to rent in this small town. Making a 2-3 hour drive trip to Sterling without any possibility at hand seem to be low yield.

I will keep on trying until May-ish, then we will start apartment frenzy. Hope we never have to get to that point.

If you're still considering somewhere to live in Sterling you might find this helpful. The shaded patches are a rough outline of the Sterling areas where you would NOT want to live while the "pins" mark areas of the ultra-desirable homes in the area.
http://tinyurl.com/c4o9m8 (may have to copy and paste the url)

I grew up in the Sauk Valley (I'm in college now) and spent a lot of time during my first 20 years in Sterling and I'd say I know it better than any other town.

I'd be pretty comfortable with just about any area I've NOT shaded, but if you are looking at places SW of the intersection of LeFevere and Locust, well the closer you can be either of those roads the better. Thats just the trend of the better homes. Overall the more north or northeast you are it gets nicer, but I don't know what's out there for rentals.

The area near the hospital, Woodlawn Rd, NE of 6th Ave and LeFevere intersection, and north of town (e.g. Science Ridge Rd) all have the very nicest homes within or near the city limits.

[Kommando]

Thanks all for the helpful information, especially NowAcyclone's map. That will become handy one day.

We actually made the trip to Sterling/Dixon/Rock Falls past weekend. The result is not encouraging.

A beautiful house in Hickory Hills that have been relisted for low $400Ks is asking for a $3500 rent. We sadly realized that although we can afford it, it is not worth spending that much in rent for a year.

An old, history massive mansion-like in Dixon is going for ~$2500. It is just too big for our need.

A 3BR townhouse in Dixon for ~$1200. This place is abit tight for us and in Dixon while we work in Sterling. We don't have another choice.

It is a bit disappointing. Many nice houses in nice neighborhood in Sterling. Not for rent.

We have to make a decision soon.

[decidingwheretolive]

Originally Posted by Kommando

Thanks all for the helpful information, especially NowAcyclone's map. That will become handy one day.

We actually made the trip to Sterling/Dixon/Rock Falls past weekend. The result is not encouraging.

A beautiful house in Hickory Hills that have been relisted for low $400Ks is asking for a $3500 rent. We sadly realized that although we can afford it, it is not worth spending that much in rent for a year.

An old, history massive mansion-like in Dixon is going for ~$2500. It is just too big for our need.

A 3BR townhouse in Dixon for ~$1200. This place is abit tight for us and in Dixon while we work in Sterling. We don't have another choice.

It is a bit disappointing. Many nice houses in nice neighborhood in Sterling. Not for rent.

We have to make a decision soon.

What are you looking for? We have a home for sale north of Science Ridge. 4 BR, 3 Bath, what price range and size of home are you looking at? We may consider renting since we have been unable to sell.