Chicago to Galena? (Des Plaines, Freeport, McHenry: HOA, crime, townhomes)

[Chigal777]

In the last couple of weeks, I came to the realization that I'm done with the city. The city I loved, I ended up despising. From its politicians to the crime and living in fear. I relied heavily on public transportation to get to/from work and now I'm afraid to get on the "el" in the evening.

I also know that I don't like the typical suburbia full of townhomes and nothing else. I would find it most annoying to have to get in the car for everything and the only store nearby be Walmart (not a store I shop at). I've traveled the world, and with that, I realized that I love the small town feel- but it must be a town that has a center (downtown) not a suburb. While I don't go out all that much, I enjoy coffee places, just grabbing a cappuccino and going for a walk. I used to live in Phoenix and I loved hiking- I miss that. While I understand that Galena doesn't have mountains but it's hilly and that would be enough. I would enjoy the nature- hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, biking. I'm looking into Galena Territory because from what I've read they have: restaurant, fitness center, indoor/outdoor pool, tennis (I'd have to find a partner), hiking trails, spa.

Now, what bothers me are the following:
1. Center is 7 mile drive. I guess twice a week, I wouldn't mind driving for a cup of coffee and get out of the resort.
2. I'd buy a townhome but I'm worried about selling it if I decided it's not for me and want to leave. I noticed that the properties sit on the market for over a year. Why is that?
3. Most of these townhomes don't have a garage. I'm guessing in winter, it can be pretty snowy- how easy is it to get out of Galena? I would have to drive to Des Plaines once a week for work.
4. The values of the properties don't seem to appreciate and a lot of them are dated. They look very original from the time they were built in the 1980s.
5. I read somewhere that water and heating is extremely expensive. Can anyone confirm that?
6. I'm a single woman in the 40s. Will I get bored? I see most people are senior citizens or are married. I'm not looking to party, but to make friends to go kayaking or hiking with.

If I decide to move there, I will definitely be getting a dog for my companion. My family thinks I'm crazy for wanting to move so far and drive almost 3 hours to work so they're making me doubt that that's a good decision as I would be far from everyone.

If anyone can please give me any information that you feel might be helpful to help me make a decision, I would greatly appreciate it.

[jmgg]

Originally Posted by Chigal777

In the last couple of weeks, I came to the realization that I'm done with the city. The city I loved, I ended up despising. From its politicians to the crime and living in fear. I relied heavily on public transportation to get to/from work and now I'm afraid to get on the "el" in the evening.

I also know that I don't like the typical suburbia full of townhomes and nothing else. I would find it most annoying to have to get in the car for everything and the only store nearby be Walmart (not a store I shop at). I've traveled the world, and with that, I realized that I love the small town feel- but it must be a town that has a center (downtown) not a suburb. While I don't go out all that much, I enjoy coffee places, just grabbing a cappuccino and going for a walk. I used to live in Phoenix and I loved hiking- I miss that. While I understand that Galena doesn't have mountains but it's hilly and that would be enough. I would enjoy the nature- hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, biking. I'm looking into Galena Territory because from what I've read they have: restaurant, fitness center, indoor/outdoor pool, tennis (I'd have to find a partner), hiking trails, spa.

Now, what bothers me are the following:
1. Center is 7 mile drive. I guess twice a week, I wouldn't mind driving for a cup of coffee and get out of the resort.
2. I'd buy a townhome but I'm worried about selling it if I decided it's not for me and want to leave. I noticed that the properties sit on the market for over a year. Why is that?
3. Most of these townhomes don't have a garage. I'm guessing in winter, it can be pretty snowy- how easy is it to get out of Galena? I would have to drive to Des Plaines once a week for work.
4. The values of the properties don't seem to appreciate and a lot of them are dated. They look very original from the time they were built in the 1980s.
5. I read somewhere that water and heating is extremely expensive. Can anyone confirm that?
6. I'm a single woman in the 40s. Will I get bored? I see most people are senior citizens or are married. I'm not looking to party, but to make friends to go kayaking or hiking with.

If I decide to move there, I will definitely be getting a dog for my companion. My family thinks I'm crazy for wanting to move so far and drive almost 3 hours to work so they're making me doubt that that's a good decision as I would be far from everyone.

If anyone can please give me any information that you feel might be helpful to help me make a decision, I would greatly appreciate it.

Galena's a pretty small tourist town. The Mississippi River area there is pretty though. It's a very cute place to visit, but I'm guessing you can find something attractive to live in based on what you're looking for in south-central Wisconsin that's a lot closer to Des Plaines. The closest city of size to Galena is actually Dubuque, Iowa. Dubuque is a picturesque town as well so that's not all bad.

A 3 hour commute once a week will get old however.

[Hiruko]

Galena is really a fake* tourist town. It's not much of a place to live.

*It's historical, but it's not really functioning as a real town.

[jasperhobbs]

Originally Posted by Hiruko

Galena is really a fake* tourist town. It's not much of a place to live.

*It's historical, but it's not really functioning as a real town.

What is that supposed to mean? I live in the Galena area and I see the town functioning just fine.

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by jasperhobbs

What is that supposed to mean? I live in the Galena area and I see the town functioning just fine.

Galena is not functioning as a regular community with diversified employment and a selection of public amenities. It is a tourist destination.

[Chigal777]

Which towns in WI would you recommend?

Originally Posted by jmgg

Galena's a pretty small tourist town. The Mississippi River area there is pretty though. It's a very cute place to visit, but I'm guessing you can find something attractive to live in based on what you're looking for in south-central Wisconsin that's a lot closer to Des Plaines. The closest city of size to Galena is actually Dubuque, Iowa. Dubuque is a picturesque town as well so that's not all bad.

A 3 hour commute once a week will get old however.

[jasperhobbs]

Originally Posted by Hiruko

Galena is not functioning as a regular community with diversified employment and a selection of public amenities. It is a tourist destination.

Ok if you say so.

[jmgg]

Originally Posted by Chigal777

Which towns in WI would you recommend?

I'm not from there so I really can't recommend any specific towns for you. People from that area may have some suggestions. My mother's nucleus family (on both sides) were from Freeport and Cedarville, IL as well as Dodgeville, Platteville, and Highland, Wisconsin. I visited these areas often in the past. Some very nice rural country there.

I'm sure there are some very nice towns like these a little more in the lower central part of Wisconsin. I remember going to a wedding in Antioch (wife's best friend). A real pretty rural community right on the Wisconsin/Illinois border. That town would be a pretty easy commute to Des Plaines. Pretty country with lakes nearby.

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by Chigal777

In the last couple of weeks, I came to the realization that I'm done with the city. The city I loved, I ended up despising. From its politicians to the crime and living in fear. I relied heavily on public transportation to get to/from work and now I'm afraid to get on the "el" in the evening.

I also know that I don't like the typical suburbia full of townhomes and nothing else. I would find it most annoying to have to get in the car for everything and the only store nearby be Walmart (not a store I shop at). I've traveled the world, and with that, I realized that I love the small town feel- but it must be a town that has a center (downtown) not a suburb. While I don't go out all that much, I enjoy coffee places, just grabbing a cappuccino and going for a walk. I used to live in Phoenix and I loved hiking- I miss that. While I understand that Galena doesn't have mountains but it's hilly and that would be enough. I would enjoy the nature- hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, biking. I'm looking into Galena Territory because from what I've read they have: restaurant, fitness center, indoor/outdoor pool, tennis (I'd have to find a partner), hiking trails, spa.

Now, what bothers me are the following:
1. Center is 7 mile drive. I guess twice a week, I wouldn't mind driving for a cup of coffee and get out of the resort.
2. I'd buy a townhome but I'm worried about selling it if I decided it's not for me and want to leave. I noticed that the properties sit on the market for over a year. Why is that?
3. Most of these townhomes don't have a garage. I'm guessing in winter, it can be pretty snowy- how easy is it to get out of Galena? I would have to drive to Des Plaines once a week for work.
4. The values of the properties don't seem to appreciate and a lot of them are dated. They look very original from the time they were built in the 1980s.
5. I read somewhere that water and heating is extremely expensive. Can anyone confirm that?
6. I'm a single woman in the 40s. Will I get bored? I see most people are senior citizens or are married. I'm not looking to party, but to make friends to go kayaking or hiking with.

If I decide to move there, I will definitely be getting a dog for my companion. My family thinks I'm crazy for wanting to move so far and drive almost 3 hours to work so they're making me doubt that that's a good decision as I would be far from everyone.

If anyone can please give me any information that you feel might be helpful to help me make a decision, I would greatly appreciate it.

Have you shopped around in Lake, McHenry, or northwest Cook County? Chicagoland has excellent forest preserves and trails.

[BOBNCHI]

Don't forget to investigate the HOA and any other restrictions that could be a potential deal breaker!