Love it - 12/10/2020

I've lived here my whole life . I love it.

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Property Taxes Will Kill You - 5/26/2019

I was raised in the area and lived here 3/4 of my life. Rockford has definitely made efforts to bring events into the area so there are things to do and they have added some bike paths and the like. Can't tell you a thing about clubbing since it isn't my thing, but I don't hear anything about it either. You get really good bang for your buck in the housing department but you'll get creamed for property taxes. 66% of my property taxes goes towards the local school district. Expect 11% property tax rate (it varies per your township, county, and city) - so to figure out your tax rate if you are buying, take that purchase price number, divide it by 3, subtract $6K off that number if it is your primary residence, take that number and multiply by 11%. Property taxes never go down and fools keep voting in politicians that raise all of the taxes. The taxes is what is driving us out of the state. When your property taxes each month is more than the mortgage, you've got a problem. There is a great state park nearby that has no charge to get in to, a fair amount of dog parks surround the area. You have easy access to Wisconsin and motorcycle riding. Its well known to stay out of the west side of Rockford - it is crime laden there and its where the gangs are centered. A lot of the gangs have matriculated from Chicago. The crime rate has definitely spiked in the last 10 years - due to Chicago crime transplants Rockford now keeps making the Top 10 Worst Cities to live due to crime per capita. The surrounding areas of Rockton, Roscoe, Loves Park, Machesney Park, and Belvidere aren't nearly so infested. As a matter of fact Belvidere is one of the better rated towns in low crime - more cops per capita for one of those reasons. Rockford downtown State St. has improved a lot in places for eating (more local eateries) and things to do that immediately surround it. If you want national chain eateries you want to go to E. State St., "the Strip" area.

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Making Progress! - 4/5/2019

Rockford has made great strides in the past 20 years. Downtown used to be a ghost town. Now, there are activities almost every weekend. City government has worked to bring restaurants and hotels to the downtown area. Keep it up!

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shwizity wicked spot - 1/10/2019

I grew up here in good Ol' Rockford IL and i think it's pretty epic. but ya know, haters gonna hate.

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SO much to do!!!! - 7/21/2017

The Park district and golf courses are beautiful & so affordable. The downtown is boomin' with hip, fun activities. The Rkfd Area Convention & Visitors Bureau has made Stroll on State a great kick off to the holiday season! The west side has the wake park & the east side has the zipline. The River District is gorgeous. You must not miss Nicholas Conservatory, Anderson Gardens and The Rockford IceHogs, The Chicago Blackhawks affiliate.

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Property. taxes - 3/13/2016

We are planning on moving. This city is raping its citizens on property taxes and they are not getting anything for it. There has to be corruption going on if they have to keep raising taxes to cover their tracks. Do your homework on other cities, $ 150,000 house in Rockford property taxes= $ 6,000. Same house cost in a major city like Nashvile or Las Vegas taxes are $,1000 You can't afford to stay in this dead city I recommend all young people to leave.

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Moving ASAP - 2/26/2016

I currently live in Rockford IL and need to get out of this hell hole ASAP! I graduated school and majored in broadcasting so now its time for me to leave Rockford and shoot for bigger things. There is absolutely nothing in Rockford, especially for minorities. If you are black, you re either in jail or dead and im not over exaggerating. If you like drama, drugs, violence, and jail, then move here, but if you want bigger and better things in life do not move here!!!! Or get out while you can!

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Crime Stats for City of Rockford for zip code 6110 - 12/17/2015

Lookimg for crime stats in zip code 601103

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This is Where I Stay - 5/20/2015

My last day living in Chicago I pondered my move to Rockford while sitting in a traffic logjam downtown at the Circle. Took me 4 hours to get from Chinatown to Wheeling. What first truly impressed me about Rockford was the lack of heavy, bustling traffic. At first it seemed like a strange town with very strange people and ideas...but as I worked here and began to know some people I was beginning to discover that I was able to differentiate between who was locally born and raised and who was a ex-pat from another area of the country. It's understandable why people here have lost all hope for a good life. During the 17 years I have been here I have seen most of Rockford's manufacturing base crumble away or relocate to a more amicable climate for business. There is nothing here to draw quality individuals. There are no "real" jobs to be had. I have observed a huge gap between rich and poor in Rockford. No indication of a thriving middle class whatsoever. The only reasons I stay put are because as one of the lucky ones I have a good job and the cost of living is lower here than in Chicago. Outside of those 2 reasons... Rockford is a wasteland.

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It makes me sad, such a shame - 4/10/2015

Rockford could be SO much better than this. But high unemployment and low rates of educational attainment hold us back so much. Racial and economic segregation is a bigger problem than anyone want to admit. Propriety tax rates are beyond obscene. Lifelong Rockfordians are proud of their city and most really try hard to improve life here. For the most part my husband and I like living here, too, but unfortunately we feel like it's time to abandon this sinking city and state.

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Ghetto - 12/8/2013

Rockford has too many drug dealers and gangs. If you want to live in fear move to Rockford. There are a lot of ghetto kids. they steal if they can especially on 23rd ave. The black gang members walk down 10th street and try to break into homes and cars. The town is a mess. too much traffic, radium in the drinking water. Everyone is trying to sell their homes. Some homes are vacated. Why because gangs and thieves drove these people out. Some are senior citizens. They are the weak. So the gangs find them as prey. Prostitutes on 11th street. White trash at the 11th street park. You need a dog or a gun if you live on the South East Side. There is always someone trying to break into a house. They first start by knocking on your door if your lights are out. Always leave a light on. Also the cops do nothing to stop this or the mayor. What a poor excuse of tax payer money.

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SMALL TOWN MINDS - 5/25/2013

Rockford is a very large city,very diverse and ethnic. Is is very divided between rich and poor, black and white. Good city for cost of living, but politicians do not like change. I feel like we are way behind and we were voted worst city in America 3 years running.

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Cost of housing - 1/10/2013

Rockford offers ecomonical housing

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Tax Pressures - 1/20/2012

Real estate costs are well within reason, but real estate taxes to fund city schools and local park district are some of the highest in the state.

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bad idea--- - 12/5/2011

This town is going nowhere fast-if you read the local paper it will not give you the real facts as it is trying to change the perception of the community to residents and outsiders, though this does nothing to help teh reality of the town---problem is, changing the reality will take more time than most people have. You would have to be very desperate to make a move here or not understand what is good for you or your family. There is a reason that only 13% of the population has a bachelor's degree in Rockford (the paper will tell you over 20%). Those who are educated know this place is going nowhere fast and understand that a quality life can not be made here. Crime, education, unemployment, are all bad and some of teh worst in nation(recently rated 9th most dangerous city in the US,)--and will be for sometime. If yo got twenty years to kill--this is your place.

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Great in the summer, AWFUL in the winter...bad edu - 6/30/2011

Although Rockford summers have gotten shorter and the weather is much less consistent, there is a lot to do in the summer in the nearby communities. We have Magic Waters (a large outdoor water park), Rock Cut State Park (a great park with a lake, horseback riding trails, biking/walking trails, fishing), Pearl Lake (man-made), and the Rock River (although dirty, it is great for recreational boating). These are just a few of the attractions. However, the downfall is the winter...there is NOTHING to do. There are a few sledding hills for snow fun, but the entertainment aspect is dull at best. The school system in Rockford has gone through so many lawsuits due to racism, that the focus on education has been lost. Integration has been the concern instead of making sure ALL ethnicities receive the same educational opportunities. Although the housing prices are very reasonable, the property taxes have ALSO been affected by the poor school system. Homeowners are forced to pay incredibly high property taxes in order to pay off the various school district lawsuits. The road conditions are the worst. The streets have been neglected in most areas. Regardless of the number of multi-racial children in Rockford, racism still runs rampantly through the large "small town." Hopefully the next generation can kick this bad habit!!!

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Change of Heart. - 1/23/2011

i've lived in rockford for almost 4 years now, and yes at first i didn't like it here. why wouldn't i? new place, new people, new life. then, i got into the local scene. if you go around town you will meet some interesting people, i mean i understand the crabbiness, it's so cold here who wouldn't be? haha, but yes, i learned that here just like any other place in the u.s. you've got to treat others as you want to be treated. it's contagious, trust me. things, actually aren't so bad here. the "thugs" an other reviewer was speaking of, well, they aren't going to do anything to you unless you give them a reason. most likely, the only reason why that person had nothing but horrible things to say was because, they might have been rude and no one was putting up with them. quite honestly? this is a nice place to have fun. there are a lot of local spots you can just hang out and party, some places you can just lounge around. then some places you can dine and not be bothered. it's all in what you choose to do. make it the best for you and it will turn out the best in all.

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Arctic winter conditions - 1/21/2011

If you are looking for a moderate climate, this is NOT the place for you. For example, the Rockford Public Schools are closed today (1-21-2011) due to "arctic conditions" - with air temps well below zero (I recorded -14 at 7:20 AM) and wind chills way below that. The first snow of the winter season usually arrives around Thanksgiving and we sometimes don't see clear ground again until late March or early April. If one could really get out and enjoy the snowy sports, you would have snow; however, you have to drive at least 2 hours away to find downhill skiiing and often air temps are too dangerously cold to intelligently participate in any outdoor activities at all. Spring is a short season, followed by humid summers that aren't too bad, followed by a short but lovely fall season. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the best climate, I would rate Rockford, Illinois, as a solid 3. Better bring your arctic down-filled Carhartts if you're going to live up here.

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Good stuff to do in Rockford - 1/20/2011

Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford Art Museum, Magic Waters, Volcano Falls, Burpee Museum, Discovery Center, Klehm Arboretum, Rock Cut State Park

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Crime in Rockford - 12/6/2010

Lived here for over 25 years in lots of different parts of the city... I have never had any problems...it is true the town has changed...it's not the vibrant place it once was 10 years ago, but it is still a very easy place to live... quiet, good place to raise a family...you get out of it what you put into it...if you're bored get a gym membeship and satellite tv...if that's not enough... drive an hour east to Chicago and you can have the Art Institute etc... but even then, after you come and go a couple of times, you reallize there's only so times you can look at the same Picasso, and you begin to think.. ok... that was cool.. now what? Rockford is just like any number of small towns in the U.S.....some good, some bad, and never all the things you want to make it a dream place...if you want art, music, etc...you have to go after it on your own... it's out there in a variety of places...every town has it's good and bad sections... common sense.. live in the good part, stay out of the bad part and you'll never have any trouble.. lastly, the schools are fine... I've had four kids in elementary, middle and high school, and have found nothing but the finest people in the school system... the responsibility for getting a good education rests upon the student and the parents...

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