Tell me more about Freeport, IL (Rockford, McHenry: real estate, crime, daycares)

[mimi1982]

I am single mom thinking about moving to Freeport. Will Freeport be welcoming to us? How are the schools?Activities for the kids? Daycares?

[BaptistFundie]

Anyone got any recent info on Freeport? Good place for a couple with teenage daughter to live? I know the state as a whole is not in great shape, and I'm highly considering just moving out of state, but for the right offer is Freeport worth it?

[DougStark]

I know very little about it, but I visited there last Sept. to see a friend.

Overall the town looked fairly nice, but not bustling or growing that I could see. Keep in mind: Freeport is VERY isolated out by itself. Even Rockford, the nearest big city, is some distance away.

I think I learned more about the town by hearing people's stories that Freeport was once an industrial town that has now been reduced to a shell of its former self. Manufacturing has left in many cases, jobs are not plentiful, and like I mentioned the town is isolated out in the middle of farmland USA. Homes/ rents are inexpensive there, but like all of Illinois, property taxes are high if you purchase real estate.

[BaptistFundie]

Originally Posted by DougStark

I know very little about it, but I visited there last Sept. to see a friend.

Overall the town looked fairly nice, but not bustling or growing that I could see. Keep in mind: Freeport is VERY isolated out by itself. Even Rockford, the nearest big city, is some distance away.

I think I learned more about the town by hearing people's stories that Freeport was once an industrial town that has now been reduced to a shell of its former self. Manufacturing has left in many cases, jobs are not plentiful, and like I mentioned the town is isolated out in the middle of farmland USA. Homes/ rents are inexpensive there, but like all of Illinois, property taxes are high if you purchase real estate.

Thanks. I see some of the reviews are just not good at all. Is crime REALLY that high, folks?

[artemis]

Originally Posted by BaptistFundie

Thanks. I see some of the reviews are just not good at all. Is crime REALLY that high, folks?

Yes.

[Curly Q. Bobalink]

I heard that several years back, the town of Monroe, WI (maybe twenty miles north) was having problems with thugs, many from Freeport, congregating in the town square in the evening (outdoor urination, minor vandalism, noise, loud music from cars, erratic driving, catcalling, etc., the "usual" problems when bored teenagers start congregating in large numbers). So, the city started playing classical music at a fairly high volume in the evening, and the problem went away, LOL. I'd choose Monroe over Freeport as a desirable place to live about 100% of the time, unless I had a good job in Freeport, and maybe even then. Even little border towns like Orangeville seem much nicer. Freeport is pretty spread out, so there are likely better areas than others. There is another recent thread on Freeport that you may want to look at, the "Search" button is your friend on C-D.

[BaptistFundie]

Originally Posted by Curly Q. Bobalink

I heard that several years back, the town of Monroe, WI (maybe twenty miles north) was having problems with thugs, many from Freeport, congregating in the town square in the evening (outdoor urination, minor vandalism, noise, loud music from cars, erratic driving, catcalling, etc., the "usual" problems when bored teenagers start congregating in large numbers). So, the city started playing classical music at a fairly high volume in the evening, and the problem went away, LOL. I'd choose Monroe over Freeport as a desirable place to live about 100% of the time, unless I had a good job in Freeport, and maybe even then. Even little border towns like Orangeville seem much nicer. Freeport is pretty spread out, so there are likely better areas than others. There is another recent thread on Freeport that you may want to look at, the "Search" button is your friend on C-D.

Thanks. I did a search, didn't see any recent info on it.

I'd be working on the west side of town, near the community college. From what I see, that area is pretty good....but honestly...I'm seriously considering just moving out of state completely. I really am just kind of sick of this state as a whole.

[jasperhobbs]

Originally Posted by BaptistFundie

Thanks. I did a search, didn't see any recent info on it.

I'd be working on the west side of town, near the community college. From what I see, that area is pretty good....but honestly...I'm seriously considering just moving out of state completely. I really am just kind of sick of this state as a whole.

You can move out of the state but can always come back to this forum and bash the state and say how great it is where you moved. Lot of posters do that.

[madpaddy]

Things aren't "Free" there, and it's not a "Port," either. 0/10 for misleading name, would not recommend.

[mjstef]

Originally Posted by jasperhobbs

You can move out of the state but can always come back to this forum and bash the state and say how great it is where you moved. Lot of posters do that.

We'll if you've lived it you might save someone the hassle of moving again. My family settled in McHenry County in the late 1800's. We sold the farm in 1997 and got the heck out along with all of our extended family except for 1 aunt. Wife only has a brother and sister in the Rockford/ Oregon area and both of them are planning their escape as well. HELLinois is NOT all Unicorns and Rainbows which is unfortunate because it really was a nice place when i was growing up.....