New Job in Joliet

[chet everett]

There have been cycles of under-employment / redevelopment for many decades. There are chemical plants / refineries located out near the former arsenal that embark on multi-year projects.

I believe that as automated controls and tighter regulations replace some of the more menial task there are better opportunities for a smaller number of people with better skills. Somewhat offsetting the loss of some employment are shifts toward transportation / logistics companies that operate freight warehouses / trucking companies in the area. Of course there are retail and some basic direct service employment opportunities too.

The population shift has been toward people of more Hispanic origins in some areas, and they have been effected by the shifts in employment too.

Teaching can be a great profession. The range of employment protections and opportunities that are available to public high school teachers in Illinois compares favorably with any state. If you will teaching at a private high school the compensation is significantly less, though there are other trade-offs.

I think you are correct that your work week will be very busy and I think you will do best finding a safe, affordable rental close to where you work. You can explore the broader area on weekends and time off.

Good Luck!

[polish-irish wafer]

Originally Posted by chet everett

Oh my! Have you read up on Joliet at all? It has a few neighborhoods that are rather nice, and some family oriented areas too, but I really think you are going to have quite a commute from any place that has "coffeeshops, bars, bookstores, and grocery stores within a short distance."

Frankly you won't find that anywhere outside of Chicago itself. Especially if you want to that feel to focus on other 25 year olds.

You might get a bit of that in downtown Naperville, but that is quite a drive from Joliet.

Sorry...

Downtown Joliet is still largely a picture of a urban era that has passed. Low income/ minority presence dominates. If not for a 'river boat casino" (and even THAT is closed for fire related repairs...) there would be almost no "outsiders" in the area, as there are poor employment options, hang over of past industry pollution and much blight.



I'd have to say that your basic statement is correct, that joliet has nice areas but the downtown is sketchy. however, i dont agree that the downtown is all that poor, and bad. sure its on the sketchy side but its still not that bad.
Not sure where exactly you will be working, but this is NOTHING like the "beach scene" in Southern Cal, and is quite literally a different world than even the low income / minority scene that you may be familar with. Joliet is a classic midwestern "river town" with a history of toxic industry, job loss and little to attract people after things shifted to a more "service oriented" lifestyle.

I know some people will say I am being harsh, and in truth there are a handful of lovely homes in the town, some nearby Universities and some good paying state jobs (at the prison) as well as jobs in the hospitals, but even these are largely the "left behind" and nothing like the stuff that has been a driver for growth and employment in other areas. In know SoCal has its share of low income, but it also has tremendous affluence from high tech, be it computers / cell phones/ bio science/ alt energy/ aero space other fields that employ highly compensated individuals. Sadly you would have to draw a WIDE circle around Joliet before you'd find anything like that...

.

[04JETTA]

Naperville would work but then your commute might become an issue