Geneva, IL Reviews

Geneva is ok if you can afford it - 3/26/2024
Real Estate and State Taxes are very high. Lots of people and traffic. Cute little shops and restaurants on main streets which attract a lot of tourists during the summer months. Delnor Hospital is nearby which is ok, if you're not in a hurry to see a doctor. Expect to wait at least a couple months to see a specialist and half a year for an annual exam with your primary Dr. Though outside Northwestern Medicine facilities you are able to see Dr a bit quicker. Crime seems to be on the rise but not as bad as other surrounding towns. The Winters seem long, but summers are normally pleasant-Not too hot or Read More

Geneva is awesome for families - 2/21/2021
Lived here for 30 years... great schools, quaint downtown, good city leadership, engaged community. Wonderful town to raise a family!
Only downsides are weather ( long winters) and very high property Read More

Expensive - 9/23/2017
We moved to Geneva 4 years ago. The cost of living is very high, and taxes keep going up as well as other living expenses. The population seems to be increasing and the traffic is very stressful. It is difficult to go even a couple miles and can take much longer than you expect with the long traffic lights and many other cars to contend with when going through downtown Geneva, and St. Charles. Everyone is in a hurry around here, so be prepared to put on your running shoes. Driving from one place to the other or shopping is not an enjoyable experience when you feel rushed. Most people seem stressed and are in a hurry. If you are looking for affordable small town living this is not the place for you. It will be a disappointment. If you like a hurried pace, with lots of good restaurants to eat at, many specialty chocolate shops and have the money to spend then this might be the town for you. Read More

GENEVA and St. Charles (East side vs. West side) - 12/29/2013
I love living in Geneva! I think St. Charles is great too! The question is do I want to live on the EAST Side or West Side of the Fox River?
It depends...

Location! Location! Location!

Buy a house on the East side:
- if you drive to work. Is your job on the East side. Would you have to cross the bridge frequently during snow, rain and events that would delay your commute? The traffic on the bridge is terrible!
- if you have to drive a lot to other suburbs.
- if you love baseball games. I can see the fireworks from my back yard.
- if you the fox river is important to you.
- Remember the trail is on the EAST side.
- if you jog, fish or want to use the trail.

Buy a house on the West side:
- if you go to work on the METRA
- if go to the Kane County Courthouse frequently (lawyer, etc)
- if you shop frequently at the quaint shops.
- if you love to walk to your local coffee shop and fine Read More

Ideal quality of life - 10/25/2013
Geneva is the ideal city with access to one of the greatest cities in the world: Chicago. You can easily work in the city and commute by our local Metra station and then come home to a small town with lots of unique shops, local festivals and a great number of restaurants -- excellent choices. The people are friendly and generally love it here. The children who grow up here tend to come back. And, best of all, the school district is reasonably sized with small classroom Read More

Geneva East and West sides - 8/21/2013
The social rift really does exist in Geneva and it’s been around for over 100 years. When I first moved here 25 years ago I was told by a local politician the east and west side social rift started in the early 1900’s when the native west side Protestant farmers didn’t care for the new Catholic settlers moving into the east side of town. Around the turn of the century Geneva was booming with industry and several poor Catholic immigrants came to the area looking for work. Well, now the year is 2013 and you would think we have put this type of prejudicial behavior behind us. I have had the pleasure to live on both sides of this town and I can assure you this stereotype still exists between the two sides. It is believed among the locals the east side is where the low to middle income blue collar people live and the west side is where the white collar upper income live. Living on both sides of this town I can assure you this is not true but unfortunately this stereo type has gotten so bad Read More

Geneva IL - 9/24/2009
Old & charming quaint river town. Nice quality of life due to the size of the Community. High taxes and midwestern weather make you really think about this being your "best place". Traditional schools and mindset more conservative than those closer to the City (Chicago - 40 Read More

Geneva, IL quality of life - 4/18/2009
As someone who was born and raised in Geneva and attended the public schools, I feel I have a decent grasp on the town. As with any other place, there are positive and negative aspects.

Positive: Good schools, nice downtown (lots of good places to eat, along with several pubs), polite people (usually), very low crime rate, generally quiet, easy Illinois Prairie Path access (known just as "the bike path" to locals), train station, close to Chicago.

Negative: High property taxes, city government leaves something to be desired, 97%+ of the population is white and nearly all are Roman Catholic or Protestant, materialistic, shallow herd mentality amongst some citizens, intense suburban development/destruction of local prairies on west side in recent years, people not exactly the warmest, no public transportation, little to do during most of the year.

In addition, there's something of a social rift between the east and west side. As a lifelong Read More

Geneva - 6/19/2008
Geneva, Illinois was founded in the mid-1850's along the Fox River. As settlers arrived from the east and established farms to the west of the city Geneva grew. The main street running through the town is still fronted by buildings built from the 1850's to the 1920's. Now instead of housing banks and general stores those buildings are home to uniques shops and restaurants. The surrounding neighborhoods feature many historically significant homes. Today given its proximity to Chicago, its charm and location along the river Geneva attracts many visitors. Some just to spend a delightful week-end get-away and some looking to Read More

Geneva and the surrounding area! - 5/25/2008
Personally, Geneva is not for me. However thats not to say its for everyone. This area has a lot to offer, from shoppimg to great resturaunts. It is realatively close to the city of Chicago. I feel its an easy place to live as far as having everthing you need easily accessable. If you are looking for senic places or outdoor activities, this may not be the place, but at least you'll lokk splended as you eat Read More