Rockford, Illinois
Homes for Sale
Notable For
Rockford has long been noted for its participation in heavy industries and has held onto a strong industrial base with an auto building plant and two aerospace manufacturing plants. It was once so populous and important on a political level that John F. Kennedy visited here during his 1960 presidential campaign. Nowadays its historic downtown is home to the Rockford Art Museum, one of the largest art museums in Illinois, and the historic Coronado Theatre where luminaries such as REO Speedwagon, Alice Cooper, and hometown natives Cheap Trick perform.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Rockford is well under the U.S. average, making it a very affordable city. Housing makes up the largest portion of monthly costs, but homes of all kinds are reasonably priced. Rockford's local property taxes are very low and reflects the fact that Winnebago county doesn't suffer from the same fiscal issues that more populous counties to the east are dealing with. The housing stock in Rockford ranges from modern construction in planned subdivisions, mid-century ranches, 1920s vintage bungalows in brick and wood and everything in between. There's a style of housing to satisfy just about every taste in Rockford.
Transportation
Rockford has a wealth of transportation options that include the Chicago Rockford International Airport, Rockford Mass Transit District (RMTM) which operates buses on multiple routes during the weekdays, and multiple major routes and roadways. The one thing that Rockford does not have is passenger rail as the last passenger rail service was ended in 1981. There are plans to revive the rail service, but state budget issues have put the plans on hold. The Jane Addams Tollway (I-90) runs east towards Chicago and turns north towards Wisconsin on the eastern edge of Rockford. Route 20 is a highway that cuts through Rockford and heads west towards Dubuque, IA. Interstate 39 connects Rockford directly to Bloomington-Normal to the south and the Quad Cities to the east. It's easy to get in and out of Rockford with all of the available transportation options.
Schools
Students who live in Rockford attend Rockford School District 205 which is one of the largest school districts in Illinois with a total of 44 schools. School administration works hard on providing a challenging learning environment for students, but some students don't respond well to the challenges and can make it difficult for focused students to learn. The school district has schools with curriculums that offer early education in STEM topics, creative and performing arts, and there's even a Montessori program for elementary school age children.
Attractions
Rockford has an advantage in that it's located in a geographically interesting part of the state. Visit Rock Cut State Park and explore outdoor activities set against a beautiful backdrop of lakes and wooded areas. Anderson Japanese Gardens is a seasonal attraction and considered to be one of the finest Japanese gardens in North America. Last, but not least, Rockford prides itself on cultural and community events. There's a festival, parade, celebration, or free concert going on somewhere in the town just about every week throughout the year. It's tough to get bored in Rockford with all it has to offer.