From California to Rochelle Illinois (Chicago, Rockford: wood floors, affordable apartments, rental)

[summermariemc]

Hello all,

Myself and my fiance will be moving from California to Rochelle, IL.
We are looking for affordable apartments $500-700 MAX. Ideally, we would like a house, but we're not sure that's possible on our budget. We've looked on craigslist, but are hoping to get an insiders opinion on what specific building to check out that may not list on craigslist.

We like vintage buildings most, hard wood floors, built-ins, that type of thing. We are not picky about the neighborhood.

We have little experience driving in the snow and will be driving a smaller car until be find another vehicle. Does that make it impossible to commute from surrounding cities? For example, Oregon looks nice, but would it be too far? What about rockford?

Any feedback would be much appreciated!

[chet everett]

I doubt that you can rent an actual house even in a fringe part of the region for $500/mo unless it is in poor condition. The expansion of the railcar plant and some data centers has created a bit of "boom" and nicer places are no longer cheap.

I would also caution that there is still a fairly sizable large population of migrant agricultural workers and while they are mostly peaceable folks if the area you move into goes from teaming to deserted with the seasonal work shifts that is not a pleasant environment.

Rockford is too far and Orgeon is bordline, from a weather perspective you want to be east of Rochelle not north / west...

[vmexkids]

You can get a house in that price range over there. I know since my husband lived out that way a while ago. I will give you some links to check out

Try Lida Lake Estates in Rochelle
Rochelle Property Management www.rochellerealtymgt.com
White Oak Apartments www.whiteoakapartments.net

www.rochellenews-leader.com/ Rochelle, IL newspaper

I hope this helps

Jennifer

[summermariemc]

Thank you both very much for your replies. It looks like the newspaper is a good way to find a place outside of Craigslist, thanks for that Jennifer!

So, commuting from rockford is not a good idea and oregon is maybe doable?

Where I live now, utility bills are most high in the summer - temps peak at 100-116. In the winter, we don't use the heat. So, what I'm wondering is, what is the average cost for heat there in the winter, say for a 2 bedroom apt? I am trying to factor that into our rental budget and I noticed some places offer free heat. Is that the way to go?

Also, do you use the air conditioner in the summer, or is it not necessary in rochelle?

Are people friendly in Rochelle? People here are not very friendly, especially in the town I live in. I'm a nice person and I'm hoping to meet nice people in Rochelle

[vmexkids]

You can commute from Rochelle to Rockford. Just shoot up I-39
Rochelle is a small town, its different than Chicago, people talk and you should not have a hard time
Yes we use central air in Illinois
Heat about 60-80 dollars

[linicx]

Rockford to Rochelle is 5-6 hours -> very similar as Chicago to ESL. You'll have 8 hours every day to eat, shower and sleep before you get up and do it again.

Illnois residents do use heat and air conditioning. The actual cost is determined by several factors notwithstanding insulation, type of window, age of building, the desired level of coolness, and the age and type of the unit doing the cooling or heating. I am blessed with a house that has a motel-type heat/air unit in a sunroom, and central heat/air in the house. .

The Electric bill is not pinned entirely to heat/air consumption. Lights, PC, telephone, printer, fridge and freezer, clocks, radio, television, de/humifier, washer/dryer, food processors, bread makers. etc.. all require electricity.

[Maintainschaos]

Originally Posted by linicx

Rockford to Rochelle is 5-6 hours -> very similar as Chicago to ESL. You'll have 8 hours every day to eat, shower and sleep before you get up and do it again.

Illnois residents do use heat and air conditioning. The actual cost is determined by several factors notwithstanding insulation, type of window, age of building, the desired level of coolness, and the age and type of the unit doing the cooling or heating. I am blessed with a house that has a motel-type heat/air unit in a sunroom, and central heat/air in the house. .

The Electric bill is not pinned entirely to heat/air consumption. Lights, PC, telephone, printer, fridge and freezer, clocks, radio, television, de/humifier, washer/dryer, food processors, bread makers. etc.. all require electricity.

Rochelle, IL is approximately 25 mi south of Rockford.

[linicx]

Oops!