Moving to Illinois...literally anywhere but Chicago or it’s suburbs (Antioch: camp, restaurants)

[Master Jay]

BOBNCHI, good morning.

I kind of figured. When I looked at the map, and saw how close Antioch was, I figured that THAT would be a nice place to go.

I understand that Trevor is also not too far from Lake Geneva, WI. I like Lake Geneva, but i understand that not everyone is a fan.

[BOBNCHI]

In the early 70s dad would take us fishing at Camp Lake, Trevor and we always had to stop at the Vegas for breakfast to start the day!

[Master Jay]

BOBNCHI, my coworker here in the jail is from Antioch. We talked about "thematic" restaurants.

She recommended The Vegas Cafe, in Antioch.

I recommended The Shanty, in Wadsworth.

And thank you for sharing your story. That sounds like some great memories!

[glass_of_merlot]

Originally Posted by BOBNCHI

Guess where the locals of Trevor go when they want to go to the big city? You got it, Antioch!!!

I can tease a little, as I lived in Twin Lakes for a couple of years. And when we wanted to go to the big city, we went to Richmond! Lol

I rather got anywhere in Wisconsin than spending my money in Illinois.
But I admit I do go to Antioch if im desperate. lol

[glass_of_merlot]

Originally Posted by Master Jay

BOBNCHI, good morning.

I kind of figured. When I looked at the map, and saw how close Antioch was, I figured that THAT would be a nice place to go.

I understand that Trevor is also not too far from Lake Geneva, WI. I like Lake Geneva, but i understand that not everyone is a fan.

Its a Chicago hangout. Especially in the summers. This summer I took my kids to Silver Lake which is really nice.

[glass_of_merlot]

Originally Posted by BOBNCHI

In the early 70s dad would take us fishing at Camp Lake, Trevor and we always had to stop at the Vegas for breakfast to start the day!

I can probably throw a rock in Camp Lake from my bedroom window. lol

[Master Jay]

glass_of_merlot, would you ever switch to CABERNET?!?

I like that Lake Geneva has a "Popeyes" but it's NOT the fried chicken place!

I heard of Silver Lake, but never went. I did hear it's very nice!!

[glass_of_merlot]

Originally Posted by Master Jay

glass_of_merlot, would you ever switch to CABERNET?!?

I like that Lake Geneva has a "Popeyes" but it's NOT the fried chicken place!

I heard of Silver Lake, but never went. I did hear it's very nice!!

I drink Cab as well
Silver lake is a nice lake to go skiing, tubing and the " beach" is nice because you can walk out hundreds of feet and it doesn't get deep. So it's great for little kids and as a parent you don't have to watch them non stop.

[FoxValleyTrotter]

Being a microcosm of the country, Illinois provides a diverse landscape that suits almost every lifestyle; from the city to the suburbs and even rural/exurban areas, there is a place for everyone. Before we talk about metro areas outside of Chicagoland, I would like to mention the Fox River Valley. Known for housing top schools, its affordability, and its 19th-century architecture: the valley is known to be one of the fastest-growing regions in the state. The urban centers of the Fox River include Elgin, Aurora, and in Wisconsin, Waukesha. These historic cities are known for their victorian mansions and 19th-century downtowns. These three cities struggled from rising crime in the 90s but have revitalized into family-oriented suburbs. Chicago and Milwaukee's urban sprawl has recently engulfed the valley with expensive new-construction homes. For example, Elgin used to have ample affordable housing for low-income residents. Fast forward today, and new construction houses and mansions are pricing even middle-class residents out of the city. Kane County is getting more expensive because the housing stock is low compared to how many people want to move here. New subdivisions are now dotting the map in the county's once rural towns to combat the growth. A place you may be able to find cheaper housing in the valley is McHenry County. My hometown, McHenry, is one of the many centers of the county (Woodstock, Cary, Fox Lake, Marengo, Johnsburg, Harvard, Crystal Lake, Lake in the Hills, Huntley, and Algonquin). This area is known for its lake-oriented vibe, which makes it feel like it could be southern Wisconsin itself. Notable lakes (and their towns) include Wonder Lake (Wonder Lake), Mccullom Lake (McHenry/Mccullom Lake), Crystal Lake and the Three Oaks Recreation Center (Crystal Lake), Lake in the Hills (Lake in the Hills), Island Lake (Island Lake), Holiday Hills (Griswold Lake), Pistakee Lake (Pistakee Highlands, Johnsburg, Fox Lake), Nipperskink Lake (Fox Lake), Fox Lake (Fox Lake), Lily Lake (Lakemoor), and FINALLY South Lake (Village of Lakewood). Notice that some of these towns have borders that expand into Lake and Kane County as well. The sprawl of Chicago has reached this county but not as much as Kane or Lake County. You can find housing under $200,000 for a family in the more exurban towns in the county such as Wonder Lake, Marengo, Harvard, etc. The only downside is the terrible taxes in the area. Kendall and Laselle county were once rural not too long ago but are in the process of mass suburbanization; which means affordable housing there is far and few in-between. Overall with a population of 1-2 million residents, the Fox River Valley is a unique region in Illinois but unfortunately went through the process of being engulfed by Chicago and Milwaukee: causing housing prices to go up in the once-affordable area. Some towns however have a lot to offer at a good price.

[FoxValleyTrotter]

Originally Posted by FoxValleyTrotter

Being a microcosm of the country, Illinois provides a diverse landscape that suits almost every lifestyle; from the city to the suburbs and even rural/exurban areas, there is a place for everyone. Before we talk about metro areas outside of Chicagoland, I would like to mention the Fox River Valley. Known for housing top schools, its affordability, and its 19th-century architecture: the valley is known to be one of the fastest-growing regions in the state. The urban centers of the Fox River include Elgin, Aurora, and in Wisconsin, Waukesha. These historic cities are known for their victorian mansions and 19th-century downtowns. These three cities struggled from rising crime in the 90s but have revitalized into family-oriented suburbs. Chicago and Milwaukee's urban sprawl has recently engulfed the valley with expensive new-construction homes. For example, Elgin used to have ample affordable housing for low-income residents. Fast forward today, and new construction houses and mansions are pricing even middle-class residents out of the city. Kane County is getting more expensive because the housing stock is low compared to how many people want to move here. New subdivisions are now dotting the map in the county's once rural towns to combat the growth. A place you may be able to find cheaper housing in the valley is McHenry County. My hometown, McHenry, is one of the many centers of the county (Woodstock, Cary, Fox Lake, Marengo, Johnsburg, Harvard, Crystal Lake, Lake in the Hills, Huntley, and Algonquin). This area is known for its lake-oriented vibe, which makes it feel like it could be southern Wisconsin itself. Notable lakes (and their towns) include Wonder Lake (Wonder Lake), Mccullom Lake (McHenry/Mccullom Lake), Crystal Lake and the Three Oaks Recreation Center (Crystal Lake), Lake in the Hills (Lake in the Hills), Island Lake (Island Lake), Holiday Hills (Griswold Lake), Pistakee Lake (Pistakee Highlands, Johnsburg, Fox Lake), Nipperskink Lake (Fox Lake), Fox Lake (Fox Lake), Lily Lake (Lakemoor), and FINALLY South Lake (Village of Lakewood). Notice that some of these towns have borders that expand into Lake and Kane County as well. The sprawl of Chicago has reached this county but not as much as Kane or Lake County. You can find housing under $200,000 for a family in the more exurban towns in the county such as Wonder Lake, Marengo, Harvard, etc. The only downside is the terrible taxes in the area. Kendall and Laselle county were once rural not too long ago but are in the process of mass suburbanization; which means affordable housing there is far and few in-between. Overall with a population of 1-2 million residents, the Fox River Valley is a unique region in Illinois but unfortunately went through the process of being engulfed by Chicago and Milwaukee: causing housing prices to go up in the once-affordable area. Some towns however have a lot to offer at a good price.

^
In some cases, it would just probably be better to move to southern Wisconsin.