Moving to Belvidere/Rockford area (Machesney Park, Loves Park: apartment complex, rentals, condos)

[ratown]

My husband is being transferred to the Belvidere/Rockford area in 3 weeks. Any suggestions as to apartment hunting? What areas to avoid? So far we have looked at Hampton Apartments, Beacon Hill, and Great Oaks. All in southern Rockford. We didn't see anything decent in Belvidere, but we were just driving around.

[Drover]

Given a choice between the two, I'd rather live in Belvidere. You might consider Cherry Valley when it's time to buy, but I doubt there's a lot of rental stock there for your current needs.

[socaldream]

Belvidere seems kind of boring and blue collar to me, though it is a decent town with nice people. Rockford certainly has it's problems but you can find some nice areas especially on the North East and far South East side of town. Cherry Valley, too. There are higher quality rentals, too. We live in a 3-bedroom with a finished basement and garage next to a park in a residential neighborhood and we are "just renting."

[ratown]

Have appointments are these complexes

Great Oaks
Hampton Ridge
Beacon Hill

Any other suggestions or comments on these? Trying to stay modest as family will relocate within the year. This is just for 1 guy.

[TomJefferson]

IF you focus your hunt along I90 up as far as Loves Park, the access to I90 provides a quick means to Belvidere. There are many rental duplexes/quadplexes/condos/townhomes in eastern Loves Park towards 90.

[KingBing]

For starters, I would avoid Beacon Hill and Great Oaks apartments. Hampton apartments have different complexes in different parts of town. There's Hampton Ridge, Hampton Meadows, Hampton Crossings. I would recommend looking at Forest Glenn and Terra Creek.

I've heard nothing but bad things about Beacon Hill and Great Oaks. I have a friend that lives in Great Oaks. I went with another friend to look at Beacon Hill (2009) and I was appalled. Crummy conditions, unsafe, ugh...I could go on and on. The price on those apartments are cheap and you get what you pay for.

Checked out Hampton Ridge in 2009 and those seemed decent, but no experience other than a viewing.

Checked out Terra Creek in 2009 and that is in a great location and apartments and setting seemed nice. Again, no experience with this one other than a viewing.

I've delivered supplies to Forest Glenn numerous times. Haven't seen the inside of the apartments, but looks like good upkeep and good, safe area.

I used to live in Foxwood Village apartments. That was very good at the time (1997-2004), but right after we left, new management took over and I've heard bad things about that place now. Drove by it recently and it looks dumpy. Too bad, because the manager when I was there ran that place like a well oiled machine. I looked at this place in 2009 (again, same friend was looking for a place and I went with) and it was sad to see the condition of my former apartment complex. And I wasn't impressed with the on-site manager from that viewing.

You can go to apartmentratings.com and look at reviews, but keep in mind most people who post are usually the ones that have complaints. As always, you can take one thing and some people will think it's great and some will think it's terrible. So keep that in mind, also.

[ratown]

Thank you all for the post. You are right on about Great Oaks and Beacon Hill. Rent is cheaper....for that you get to live in nasty conditions. We talked to residents coming out of their apartments. No one said they liked it there but couldn't afford more. Poor maintenance, loud neighbors. At first they appealed to us because we could have our dog there, then I seen some people with pit bulls. No thank you. We settled on Hampton Ridge. Very nice, manager was nice, apartment is nice. Can't bring our dog there when I visit on weekends, but we have relatives to take care of her. When the rest of the family moves, it will be to a house so we will bring her then. Also talk with residents in the parking lots, all agreed it was a decent place. More expensive, but safety and relaxation comes with a price. I think we will concentrate our housing search near Belvidere, Cherry Valley, or East Side of Rockford.

[karlsch]

Originally Posted by ratown

My husband is being transferred to the Belvidere/Rockford area in 3 weeks. Any suggestions as to apartment hunting? What areas to avoid? So far we have looked at Hampton Apartments, Beacon Hill, and Great Oaks.

Machesney Park Man Stabbed to Death

[socaldream]

I agree, Cherry Valley or the far East side of Rockford is pretty decent. We live on the far southeast side of Rockford and am renting a 3 bedroom duplex with a finished basement and have a nice neighbor and a great landlord. It has been pretty quiet and safe here, but like much of Rockford, you still have to be vigilant.

[linicx]

Houses in Cherry Valley gets some good reps, but I don't know anything about it.

Perhaps someone else does?