Janesville Area Advice? (Milton, Orfordville, Johnson: low crime, houses, neighborhoods)

[Melanie0426]

Hi all,
Newbie here. I'm so glad I found this resource; it's amazingly helpful.

My husband is currently looking seriously at a job in Janesville. I'm wondering what areas I should be checking out for houses. We have two school-aged kids.

What I'm looking for are family-friendly neighborhoods with good school districts, either in or near Janesville. So any advice about surrounding towns/districts/zip codes in about a fifteen-mile radius would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much for any information you can provide!

[ANewChapter]

Hi there! I currently live in the Janesville area. I live in Orfordville which is about 20 minutes from Janesville. Footville (zip code 53537) is about 12 minutes from Janesville, and there is a nice new subdivision going up right off of highway 11. There is also a new subdivison with nice homes and a quiet neighborhood in Orfordvile (zip 53576). Both Footville and Orfordville are in the Parkview School district. Parkview District Home Page - Home of the Vikings I am a senior in high school there and we just this year got a new principal who I think is the best thing for our school, he's very upbeat and friendly and enforces the rules like he should. Hope this was helpful, if ya have any other questions I can try my best to help!

[lover13]

Hey Melanie!! I live in Footville, which is only about 12-15 minutes away from Janesville and I can tell you that Janesville school system claims to be okay, but where I go to school is a bit more safe. I go to through the Parkview School district and have to say that I really do enjoy it, I will miss it next year as I am graduating!! I love being a short drive away from Janesville because I can go whenever I feel the need and when I go to sleep I don't have to listen to the trains and cars buzzing through at all hours of the night! I'm a firm believer in sleep and think that it will cure just about everything, so I wouldn't be able to get a whole lot of that in busy Janesville. Everything you need is there, but I wouldn't recommend living right in there. Footville is quiet, my neighbors all keep pretty much to themselves, but watch out for everyone at the same time. I hated the idea of a small town at first, but really nobody gossips and meddles unless you open your mouth and invite them to. I love my school district because there is the elementary school two blocks from wherever you live in footville (very small town of 380 or so people) and if the kids are older than third grade, they ride the bus to a town four miles away called Orfordville where the middle, jr, and high school are located. We have a unique jr/sr high school because 7-12 grade is pinned up in here, but separated by double doors. People here are friendly and always trying to keep everyone involved. We have our cliques, but for the most part, everyone gets along. I've known everyone in my class since fourth grade when I moved here, and I can honestly say that I don't hate a single one of them because I feel like we are so close we're family! The farming families keep producing children to put into schools, so it often feels like every year you have the same exact last names circulating through. We have huge Wellnitz, Johnson, Stapleman, and Draeving families, and I'm pretty sure there's a few of each of those family members graduating every year!! Its a nice community, and I don't know who couldn't love it.. hope that was helpful!! good luck!!

[Melanie0426]

Thank you to both of you for your replies. We are definitely looking at surrounding areas so the information you gave me is very helpful. I appreciate your taking the time to add your advice. :-)

[Melanie0426]

An update: the Janesville move is now definitely on. I am looking for housing in Janesville or surrounding areas. If we live in Janesville, I'd love to hear recommendations on specific areas of that town that are good for families with kids. I am finding lots of houses that appeal to me, but it's hard to know how to find the right neighborhood, especially which schools we want to be near. I'm specificially looking at schools for a 1st and 6th grader but of course high school will be a factor in a few short years as well. Any suggestions?

[ANewChapter]

Originally Posted by Melanie0426

An update: the Janesville move is now definitely on. I am looking for housing in Janesville or surrounding areas. If we live in Janesville, I'd love to hear recommendations on specific areas of that town that are good for families with kids. I am finding lots of houses that appeal to me, but it's hard to know how to find the right neighborhood, especially which schools we want to be near. I'm specificially looking at schools for a 1st and 6th grader but of course high school will be a factor in a few short years as well. Any suggestions?

That's awesome! I wouldn't suggest the south side of town, but there is a nice little subdivision off of Milton Ave. heading towards Milton. They have a school choice of either Milton or Janesville and the busses can pick them up there. It's very nice there. My aunt and uncle live there with their 4 kids all are school aged. I can't think of the name of the area, but I'll find out and get back to you.

[Melanie0426]

Thank you; that woudl be great. :-)

[ANewChapter]

Originally Posted by Melanie0426

Thank you; that woudl be great. :-)

You're welcome! I wanna say the subdivision is called CastleMoore, and there are a bunch of subdivsions combined in that area. It's a nice peaceful area with very low crime and conveniently located close to WalMart and Sam's Club. It is also a short drive to great food places, and a movie theater, and good little shopping plaza (has Old Navy, TJ Max, Michaels, Staples, Best Buy, and a few other places, and even a Subway...yum! haha) I think it's a nice area....traffic can be bad sometimes if you're not used to it, but it never seems to bother me, but my grandma can't handle it. If you have any more questions about the Janesville area, I'd be glad to help! Where are you moving from?

[ANewChapter]

Oh, I also forgot to mention, that Footville has a nice new subdivision, as does Orfordville. Both are in the Parkview school district (Parkview District Home Page - Home of the Vikings) however, it's more of a cummute to get anywhere, like for say groceries, or entertainment. I live in Orfordville now, for another 2 months until i move to Florida, but I've grown very much accustomed to the commute to Janesville that it honestly doesn't even bother me much until my gas tank is on empty and I feel my bank account getting more and more empty every time.

[Hankidan]

If your towards the south side of Janesville, you should definatly consider the Parkview School District for your kids, its a great school, this is my senior year there, theres a bunch of great kids.