Janesville Area Advice?

[lookingforrent]

I am looking at a house on McKinley Street in Janesville WI , but the rent to own is pretty cheap... Does this mean its in a bad area?? I am praying its not because its a beautiful house I want to buy. I know Beloit is terrible and I was told not to move there, does this mean Janesville as well?

Help me please

[WiscoGirl]

Janesville isn't bad like Beloit imo. There are also a lot of houses going to be for sale very soon with the GM plant closing. I dont know off hand where McKinley Street is but if the houses are nice then its probably in a decent neighborhood.

[LML]

Originally Posted by WiscoGirl

Janesville isn't bad like Beloit imo. There are also a lot of houses going to be for sale very soon with the GM plant closing. I dont know off hand where McKinley Street is but if the houses are nice then its probably in a decent neighborhood.

McKinley in Janesville is near the county courthouse and near downtown. It is not horrible but it isn't great either. With GM closing there will be lots of houses for sale. But I want to take exception to those who say how bad Beloit is. I really think that people who say that have not been in Beloit for a number of years. Yes, there are pockets of Beloit that are not great....just as there are in Janesville and most towns. But so much of Beloit is lovely and safe and no one seems to know that because that isn't what makes the news. A lot of good work has been done in Beloit these past few years and it is coming back in a really good way. The riverfront area is absolutely beautiful and offers so much. The downtown area has been all refurbished and there are nice little shops, coffee shops, resturaunts, condos, etc. down there and all so attractive. The far east side is thriving with new stores, new housing developments, and easy access to larger cities. The far west side has the older, quiet, blue collar neighborhoods that are so well maintained and friendly. And there are parks, parks, parks everywhere. I moved back to Beloit after living in Madison for a number of years and I am loving it.

[ladulce]

Hello, Melanie. If you are already here, welcome. First off, I am glad that you are taking your neighborhood and school very seriously. It is the most important decision that you can make to assure the success of your children and your family.

I studied the school performance reports for each Janesville school (there are 14 public elementarily, 3 middle school and 2 high schools). Each Spring, each elementary school participates in a nation-wide test taking, and, each child's performance is put together for a "total" of how the school ranked. If you look at this (it is free through the school district office), you will see that for the past 5-10 years 3 schools have jottered around for the top 3 positions: Roosevelt, Harrison, and, Kennedy. All 3 of these schools are located in safe (but very different) areas. Following this, Franklin performs the least of the 3 middle, and, Parker rates lower on ACTS than Craig. This is EVERY year for the past several. This isn't an indication of a child's intelligence, but, perhaps is an indication of the teacher's and parent's dedication to education.

Now, the 3 areas of these schools: Both Kennedy and Harrison are located in an area of newer homes. Since these homes are new, there is relatively high turn over of properties- people moving up to "bigger and better" or changing jobs and moving from the area. A lot of these homes house "upwardly mobile" young families. I have several friends that live in these areas. There isn't too much economic difference in this area (aside from a couple subsidized housing units)... Roosevelt is very different. It is located above the courthouse on the hill. This is the "historic" district and houses some BEAUTIFUL Victorian homes. Many of these homes have been in the family since they were built. There are many well respected public officials on the hill. It is an expensive area, but, is full of wonderful people. Houses on the hill in the historic courthouse area go for 300,000 ish (most of them). But, we have a couple that are for sale for just under a million. There are also some that have sold for over a million. The other side of the Roosevelt school is subsidized apartment units. I chose to move to this district because the children here mix together well, and, the "haves" really seem to help the "have nots". There are a lot of fundraisers up here, and, we help with soup kitchens, etc. I thought it was the best choice for my children. Our neighbors are established- been here for 40+ years, and, very nice. WE are all very protective of one another and have maintained a "village" perspective on child rearing. For example, my daughter was being bullied after school one day while walking home, and, a neighbor saw it and confronted the bullies (older males), and, followed her home in his car. (He told her he didn't want me to get mad or think bad if he had invited her into his vehicle). Roosevelt school goes to Marshall middle school, then Craig high school. This was the choice for me. Several of Roosevelt's teachers have received teaching awards from the state. The principal, Ms. Kargas is wonderfully involved in the community and makes an effort to know the kids. She also helps direct traffic after school and get her hands "dirty" in the job- filling in wherever needed.

As far as Mckinley street- I wouldn't do it, personally. The school district is Wilson- which has the most $, because they have the neediest children.
Also, the police here will tell you about calls made to the area you are thinking of moving, and, recent crime trends. In our most recent neighborhood watch meeting, the officer told us that in the previous 12 month period, there had been 9800 calls for service in Janesville. In the courthouse hill area? Only 7- and, none of them were for any serious crimes.......

Oh, and, one more thing, in the Courthouse hill area, these homes are "protected" so they can't be turned into rentals or duplexes. There also can't be any new buildings added. So, we stay historic and great.

If you need any additional information, please feel free to email me. I have studied performance reports from the schools for nearly 10 years, and, have been VERY concerned with the area where my children will be raised.

Good luck, and, God bless!

[Megan1967]

I grew up in the "historic court house district." It was a very nice neighborhood to be a child in. Big yards, big trees, lots of neighbors with kids. Jefferson park was a 1/2 a block from my house and they used to have a city run youth program during the summer. I don't think they have that now, but it was a great community builder. I would choose that area over any other in Janesville, hands down.

I went to St Mary's, but Roosevelt would have been my elementary school otherwise. Both schools are in walkable distance as is Craig the high school.

[N Rock]

I've only been in Janesville for two years and is was really nice to read this blog. I live in the fourth ward. I did have the advantage of all the wonderful things Megan1967 talks about when I grew up. I like where I live but when my son (who just turned 1) starts school, we'll be moving.

[CTORRES5785]

my mom is living on mckinely street as we speak and i personaly dont think its a bad hood.... we talk to everyone and everyone talk backa nd we all friend i know there alot of drunk people and drug but we are from chicago and in chicago u always have to worry about if u going to be shot or not they not like that out there.... and the cops are always around and they always on bikes and everything i think is a nice place i dont know how is the school are cause all of us are old now... so i dont know ..