Thinking of moving to Beloit... (Racine, Janesville: foreclosure, high crime, credit rating)

[Irish Princess]

My husband and I were thing of buying a house in Beloit- the prices are amazing!!!! It looks absolutly beautiful in the pictures too. We have 4 boys! I was wondering if I could get any information on good neighborhoods- Everything I have read about it seems really positive so far. We would be coming from Cedarburg which is beautiful, but very expensive and Beloit would be closer to his work anyway. It seem to have a lot to offer for families- how are the schools though? Any information would be very helpful-Thank you very much for your time.

[Drover]

Since you're within easy driving striking of Beloit already, I'd say just drive on down on a Saturday and check it out. I would especially recommend doing so because I think you may need to adjust your expectations downward a bit if you're expecting a larger version of Cedarburg. Beloit is not a bad place overall but it is definitely a bit frayed on the edges (figuratively speaking -- I don't literally mean on the edge of town) and signs of its faded blue-collar past are evident here and there. It's not a desperate place like, say, Rockford or Superior. But it's not "neat-as-a-pin" like Cedarburg either, and its lingering blue-collar heritage means it still has its fair share of modest neighborhoods occupied by folks who are thoroughly disinterested in mimicking shiny little hamlets like Cedarburg.

As for schools, greatschools.net and schoolmatters.com are the two standard go-to websites for researching and getting parental feedback on schools.

[Irish Princess]

Drover, Thank You- I do realize that it would not be a larger version of Cedarburg, I am not sure anything can really compare-lol. But my husband and I are not adverse to a blue collar-ish town, as long as the people are freindly. We were planning on driving down one of the coming weekends to check it out. What we are really looking for is a smaller town with a lot of stuff for the kids to do. Beloit SEEMS to fit that perfectly. The parks look wonderful with a lot of the activities the boys like to do. Thank you for the school websites- do you know if you have to live in a certain area to get in a certain school or can you choose?

[gossi1]

Beloit. Ick. Wouldn't consider raising a family there; Drover was being more than generous in his description. High crime, dirty, shabby. There are plenty of clean, nice areas close enough for you to drive to work without having to live in the midst of that mess. Wisconsin taxes are high enough; why pay high taxes and get that?

"What to you get when you drop a quarter in the toilet? Beloit"
That's a joke I've heard in reference to Beloit.

[julieannn]

Hi Gossi1! My family is also considering a move to Beloit, and our situation is similar to that of the Irish Princess, except that we have only one child. I've often wondered if Beloit is simply a smaller version of where we live now, Racine. Your post implies that, indeed, it is in some ways. I take it you've lived there....is that right? You also mention that there are plenty of "better" places...can you offer some alternative suggestions? My husband will be working in Love's Park. Thanks!

[mikelipp]

I have been try to buy a house to live in and can't. All properties seem to be homes repossesed from YOU (citizens of beloit) by the banks. Now that they have them they refuse to sell!!! Thats right your bankers are hording these properties for their own selfish reasons. You can all look forword to a long period of urban blight because as we all know the banks aren't going to cough-up much for maintanance. Good luck. I'm going else were.

[shanelle gee]

thinking about moving to beloit are there any certified nusre aide jobs out there please let me know a.s.a.p ...

[916WI]

Originally Posted by mikelipp

I have been try to buy a house to live in and can't. All properties seem to be homes repossesed from YOU (citizens of beloit) by the banks. Now that they have them they refuse to sell!!! Thats right your bankers are hording these properties for their own selfish reasons. You can all look forword to a long period of urban blight because as we all know the banks aren't going to cough-up much for maintanance. Good luck. I'm going else were.

Mike--It sounds like you need to get your credit rating in order and a down payment saved up. I bought a foreclosure on Beloit's west side......I got a great deal and it was completely effortless

[danielle_pm]

I live about 20 mins from Beloit and I have alot of friends there... None of them can find a job or a decent place to live.. The economy sucks all over but Beloit is pretty freakin' bad and there's alot of crappy areas.

Go to Janesville instead. Lots more jobs there. Although I have been hearing both Beloit and Janesville have a seriously rising heroin problem lately. Don't know how true that is really.

[dlk33]

I have not heard anything positive about Beloit. Janesville would be a better choice, but jobs are an issue there.