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.
STEVE | Rockford, IL