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Old 10-08-2023, 06:17 PM
 
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
4,630 posts, read 3,244,563 times
Reputation: 3906

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Hello,

This Friday I was in Libertyville for their "First Friday" to-do. There was a couple that my friend and I struck up a conversation with en route to Casa Bonita restaurant. They were from Arlington Heights, and were considering buying in Libertyville. I explained that my friend and I were from Milwaukee; but I spent a lot of time in Libertyville, and highly recommended it.

On our trip down, my friend and I were talking about our favorite Illinous cities/towns/villages, to hang out in. My personal choices were:

Highwood
Libertyville
Skokie

For the record, my lady friend mentioned:

Naperville.

And I concur, it is a great place! I haven't been there since 2018, but I DID love it!

The 3 I named are on the list since they, to me, have a great sense of community, great independent shops, great festivals, great downtowns, churches, restaurants, etc.... And they are convenient for a Milwaukeean.

Anyone else want to throw a shout out?
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Old 10-09-2023, 11:17 AM
 
4,149 posts, read 3,901,995 times
Reputation: 10938
A lot of people like Galena. Not a suburb of Chicago if that is the question.
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Old 10-09-2023, 11:23 AM
 
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
4,630 posts, read 3,244,563 times
Reputation: 3906
jasperhobbs, Oh YES, I have heard MANY people talk about their love for Galena.

Sure, it is far from Chicagoland. But come on, it's always good to show some love!

Thank you for sharing!
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Old 10-09-2023, 06:22 PM
 
Location: Bellevue
3,036 posts, read 3,304,919 times
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A lot may consider the Fox River communities of St Charles, Geneva, Batavia. Old downtowns along the riverfront.

For modern times plenty of shopping along Randall Road.
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Old 10-09-2023, 07:06 PM
 
128 posts, read 66,762 times
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Geez I grew up in the adjoining town to Highwood. Back in the day it was a real dive. Aside from the few remaining Italian restaurants it's "Little Mexico". Back in my day it was like 95% Italian.
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Old 10-10-2023, 06:34 AM
 
Location: Chi 'burbs=>Tucson=>Naperville=>Chicago
2,191 posts, read 1,847,019 times
Reputation: 2978
I have a love hate relationship with Naperville. But if I focus on the good stuff and logic, it has to be in my top list.

Jay, you might be in the 1% that would list Skokie, lol.

Glen Ellyn is on my list. Sycamore is nice, but I can't claim it as I've barely been there.

I guess I'll go Glen Ellyn, Naperville and Evanston
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Old 10-10-2023, 08:40 AM
 
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
4,630 posts, read 3,244,563 times
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GWoodle, good morning,

I worked with a guy some time ago, in the Milwaukee County Jail, that was from St. Charles.

I am a huge fan of nice downtowns.

Thank you for sharing.
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Old 10-10-2023, 08:44 AM
 
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
4,630 posts, read 3,244,563 times
Reputation: 3906
UniversalTraveler, good morning.

I was reading it up on Highwood. I heard there used to be more Italian establishments, and it was common then to hear more Italian being spoken by people in the neighborhood. These days, I DO hear people speaking Italian at Maria's Bakery, there.

Personally, I like the combination of Italian and Mexican, in Highwood.

Probably because I like their foods!

And possibly because I'm Mexican, too!
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Old 10-10-2023, 08:51 AM
 
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
4,630 posts, read 3,244,563 times
Reputation: 3906
Kmanshouse, good day, my friend!

I really liked Naperville. It was my then-girlfriend from Bolingbrook's favorite town.

But as a Milwaukee guy, it's a bit more of a drive than I like.

Hmmm, maybe one day I'll take a little trip there, though!



As far as Skokie, that was my town to get hotels for my weekend stays, when I would come down for the weekends with my kids. Heck, nowadays I still utilize the hotels in Skokie, even if I come down by myself.

It is common, also, for me to take a drive on Sundays to attend St. Peter's Catholic Church, for mass.

Can anyone out there help bump up Kmanshouse's claim that I am a 1%er, with my Skokie shout out, please?!?

Although, Kmanshouse, I don't know if you saw my Facebook post from summer, but when I was riding the bike trail in Skokie, there was a man face down, with his pants and underwear below his needs, in the bus shelter, on Oakton Street... Now, THAT is nothing I would see 10 years ago!!!
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Old 10-10-2023, 05:39 PM
 
179 posts, read 271,838 times
Reputation: 152
Illinois is a big state, and it's a lot more than just Chicagoland.

I can't really answer my favorite three places to hang out in, as I don't really go places just to hang out. I usually have a mission in mind (a concert, a museum exhibit, etc.).

However, I'll plug places that don't get as much attention as spots in Chicagoland:

*Rockford has some of the kindest people I've met in the country, and its cultural institutions are undervalued by almost everyone.
*Quincy is a river town with spectacular architecture and a decent array of attractions.
*Grafton is further down the Mississippi River, and it's a small, pleasant, charming spot with the pretty Pere Marquette State Park to enjoy.
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