Almost like living in "Mayberry".... - 11/19/2012

We've lived in Galena for about ten years now; previously lived in Elgin, then Cary. Moving here was like heaven (with some trade offs) especially after living in Elgin. No gang activity here, very low crime rate, good schools and it's a beautiful and historic town. The trade offs are: limited shopping as most of the stores in town are tourist oriented--antiques, nick backs, souvenirs, etc. There is a Wal-Mart, and a True Value, but not much else in the way of chain stores. For a any other shopping needs, Dubuque Iowa is only about a 15 minute drive, but it's still not exactly a shopping Mecca. Also, as Galena is a very popular tourist destination, you need both accept and be gracious to all of the out of town folks who crowd the sidewalks and restaurants each weekend as they're the lifeblood of this part of Illinois. If you're ok with the compromises and limitations of living here, it's truly wonderful!

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Lots to do!! - 3/1/2012

My city of Galena, IL has festivals, parades, and parties almost every weekend of the year. Our Halloween parade usually lasts around 2 hours and draws in over 10,000 people! I wouldn't visit solely for the nightlife but it is nice to have options for your evening activities.

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A Surprising Amount of Culture for a Small Town - 8/21/2007

Galena offers art shows, antique shops, arts/crafts fairs, Civil War re-enactments, theater, concerts, and more. Every weekend, there's something cultural going on, much of it free. Additionally, Galena has several parks (including Grant Park, which houses civil war canons and a statue of General Grant), river rafting/canoeing and a biking/hiking trail.

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