Illinois - where to go/where to avoid?
Jul 31st 2007, 10:05 pm
#61
Mummy and baby 1982
Joined: May 2003
Location: North West Chicago Suburbs
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Re: Illinois - where to go/where to avoid?
Hi again
Great information from you all. Especially about the property taxes. The American credit system and way of doing things seems like an absolute minefield to the unaccustomed. Still, I'm sure I'll get my head around it eventually!
Dave2702's post mentioned Buffalo Grove being a desirable area - the price of the area is not really a problem to be honest, its the schooling that concerns me... Now I'm not really sure how to say this, without somehow sounding racist or religionist (if you know what i mean) and can I just say that I am in no way, shape of form racist or religionist! But my husband has been led to believe that Buffalo Grove is a very concentrated close-knit Jewish community, very difficult for a non-Jewish (foreigner) to penetrate and feel a part of. Some of the other earlier posts mentioned how religion is very important to Americans and hard to ignore - does anyone think that this factor could be a major issue for an English family to settle into??
Great information from you all. Especially about the property taxes. The American credit system and way of doing things seems like an absolute minefield to the unaccustomed. Still, I'm sure I'll get my head around it eventually!
Dave2702's post mentioned Buffalo Grove being a desirable area - the price of the area is not really a problem to be honest, its the schooling that concerns me... Now I'm not really sure how to say this, without somehow sounding racist or religionist (if you know what i mean) and can I just say that I am in no way, shape of form racist or religionist! But my husband has been led to believe that Buffalo Grove is a very concentrated close-knit Jewish community, very difficult for a non-Jewish (foreigner) to penetrate and feel a part of. Some of the other earlier posts mentioned how religion is very important to Americans and hard to ignore - does anyone think that this factor could be a major issue for an English family to settle into??
I live about 17 miles west of Buffalo Grove and my 3 step children aren't christened in any religion and their dad is Jewish but he wasn't brought up to go to temple etc. I haven't really found religion to be a big factor with any of them in school or out of school. That said, my youngest stepdaughter at 13 has a great conversation with her school friend next door about evolution and God, and her friend insisted that God created the world and that there wasn't such a thing as evolution. She hadn't even heard of it apparently! And of course she didn't believe my stepdaughter when she argued back that we evolved from Apes!! And they are still friends.
As far as the neighbours go, some people go to church, some don't, we don't, but church is definitely a big part of the local community. Nobody treats us any differently because we don't attend.
Good luck with your visit, Chicago is a great city to live near.
Maggie
Last edited by Maggs; Jul 31st 2007 at 10:08 pm.
Jul 31st 2007, 10:12 pm
#62
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Re: Illinois - where to go/where to avoid?
Hello
I live about 17 miles west of Buffalo Grove and my 3 step children aren't christened in any religion and their dad is Jewish but he wasn't brought up to go to temple etc. I haven't really found religion to be a big factor with any of them in school or out of school. That said, my youngest stepdaughter at 13 has a great conversation with her school friend next door about evolution and God, and her friend insisted that God created the world and that there wasn't such a thing as evolution. She hadn't even heard of it apparently! And of course she didn't believe my stepdaughter when she argued back that we evolved from Apes!! And they are still friends.
As far as the neighbours go, some people go to church, some don't, we don't, but church is definitely a big part of the local community. Nobody treats us any differently because we don't attend.
Good luck with your visit, Chicago is a great city to live near.
Maggie
I live about 17 miles west of Buffalo Grove and my 3 step children aren't christened in any religion and their dad is Jewish but he wasn't brought up to go to temple etc. I haven't really found religion to be a big factor with any of them in school or out of school. That said, my youngest stepdaughter at 13 has a great conversation with her school friend next door about evolution and God, and her friend insisted that God created the world and that there wasn't such a thing as evolution. She hadn't even heard of it apparently! And of course she didn't believe my stepdaughter when she argued back that we evolved from Apes!! And they are still friends.
As far as the neighbours go, some people go to church, some don't, we don't, but church is definitely a big part of the local community. Nobody treats us any differently because we don't attend.
Good luck with your visit, Chicago is a great city to live near.
Maggie
Keira
Jul 31st 2007, 10:39 pm
#63
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Re: Illinois - where to go/where to avoid?
Illinois is a bit of a mix. For a long time it was considered a 'bell-weather' state for politics--i.e. the way Illinois voted was generally the way the US voted. It has a large urban and suburban area, middle sized cities and then a very large (and flat) rural area. A mix of red state / blue state (that has only recently shifted more or less permanently blue.
I have not experienced many 'bible thumpers' (i.e. people who slam the bible with their hand and say 'God said it, that ends it!') in llinois. It's more of a Southern thing, though in rural and Southern Illinois people are rather religious. There is more of a 'you do your thing, I'll do mine' kind of attitude I'd say.
I have not experienced many 'bible thumpers' (i.e. people who slam the bible with their hand and say 'God said it, that ends it!') in llinois. It's more of a Southern thing, though in rural and Southern Illinois people are rather religious. There is more of a 'you do your thing, I'll do mine' kind of attitude I'd say.
Jul 31st 2007, 10:43 pm
#64
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Joined: Apr 2003
Location: In the heart of the Ozarks
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Re: Illinois - where to go/where to avoid?
Just remember one thing in Chicago (Properly Pronounced Shi-ka [with a nasal 'ahh']-go, well two maybe. Root for the Cubs, and be prpared to laugh off another year without a pennant. There is nothing like a Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field when the wind is blowing out, a beer in your hand (Strohs of course, maybe Old Style) a hot dog in the other...waiting for the inevitable Cub's loss.
Aug 1st 2007, 12:31 am
#66
Joined: May 2005
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Re: Illinois - where to go/where to avoid?
Hey I'm fully paid-up on my SS contributions! 
I've earned my $xxx per week.
Any time you want Keira! As Ray so kindly pointed out 
I'm currently unemployed, and job-hunting in New Zealand (from the US). When do you arrive and how long are you staying for? I hope your visit doesn't coincide with a possible visit to Wellington for interviews. 
I've earned my $xxx per week. I'm currently unemployed, and job-hunting in New Zealand (from the US). When do you arrive and how long are you staying for? I hope your visit doesn't coincide with a possible visit to Wellington for interviews.
Last edited by Maz; Aug 1st 2007 at 12:40 am. Reason: duh forgot a question...
Aug 1st 2007, 2:33 am
#67
Mummy and baby 1982
Joined: May 2003
Location: North West Chicago Suburbs
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Re: Illinois - where to go/where to avoid?
Well, UK will always be "home" but the home I have now is here in the US. I miss my family and friends even after 4 years and couldn't survive if I didn't go back at least once a year.
There is a lot to do in Chicago, but what everyone says about the winters is absolutely true. It's like no other cold you can imagine. Think of the coldest day in England ... then triple it...twice!! The difference is, that here you wear the clothes that will keep you warm, unless you are a teenage high school student and think that shorts or flip flops is the thing to wear! We had to put a rule in place that shorts and flip flops can only be worn before Thanksgiving (November) and after Spring Break! (March).
Maggie
Aug 1st 2007, 2:40 am
#68
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Re: Illinois - where to go/where to avoid?
The sun is usually shining...the cloudless sky is blue most days and it is very dry...we tend not to get the damp, grey UK days. I find the winter months aren't as depressing as the UK. If you are behind glass you would swear it's 100F outside.
BTW I love the city of Chicago.
Last edited by Jerseygirl; Aug 1st 2007 at 3:11 am.
Aug 1st 2007, 2:40 am
#69
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Location: Schaumburg, IL
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Re: Illinois - where to go/where to avoid?
I can vouch for everything that the folks here say. They were a help when I went through the move late last year.
I moved to Schaumburg and can honestly say I love it here (although there are better areas that I'll consider when it come time to renew my lease). It does take a little getting used to after the honeymoon period mainly I think for the folks here to get used to you as much you to them.
Above all its an adventure..that's what makes life interesting. It's so much better than wondering what if...
I moved to Schaumburg and can honestly say I love it here (although there are better areas that I'll consider when it come time to renew my lease). It does take a little getting used to after the honeymoon period mainly I think for the folks here to get used to you as much you to them.
Above all its an adventure..that's what makes life interesting. It's so much better than wondering what if...
Aug 1st 2007, 3:06 am
#70
Mummy and baby 1982
Joined: May 2003
Location: North West Chicago Suburbs
Posts: 1,067
Re: Illinois - where to go/where to avoid?
Hello again
When you are visiting in the next few weeks try to visit Long Grove. It's a small "village" about 3 miles north of Buffalo Grove and so very quaint with old houses that have been turned into little shops and there is a covered bridge too. There is a little restaurant called The Long Grove Cafe that does some nice food. It's next to the pond and you can sit outside or inside. Maybe a little too hot to be outside now, it was 90F here today.
http://www.longgroveonline.com/
Maggie
When you are visiting in the next few weeks try to visit Long Grove. It's a small "village" about 3 miles north of Buffalo Grove and so very quaint with old houses that have been turned into little shops and there is a covered bridge too. There is a little restaurant called The Long Grove Cafe that does some nice food. It's next to the pond and you can sit outside or inside. Maybe a little too hot to be outside now, it was 90F here today.
http://www.longgroveonline.com/
Maggie
Aug 1st 2007, 11:12 am
#71
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Re: Illinois - where to go/where to avoid?
Hey I'm fully paid-up on my SS contributions! I've earned my $xxx per week.
Any time you want Keira! As Ray so kindly pointed out I'm currently unemployed, and job-hunting in New Zealand (from the US). When do you arrive and how long are you staying for? I hope your visit doesn't coincide with a possible visit to Wellington for interviews.
I've earned my $xxx per week. Any time you want Keira! As Ray so kindly pointed out
I'm currently unemployed, and job-hunting in New Zealand (from the US). When do you arrive and how long are you staying for? I hope your visit doesn't coincide with a possible visit to Wellington for interviews. ScottMc - What are your thoughts on Schaumburg, and where would you choose now that you have a better idea of the area?
Thanks Jerseygirl - I really find winters depressing in this country so I'm a tad concerned it could be worse over there. But if the sun is shining that makes a heap of difference even if its freeeezing!!
Thanks Maggs - I'll definitely take a look at Long Grove while I'm there - it sounds lovely. Are the schools good there?
Aug 1st 2007, 1:39 pm
#72
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Re: Illinois - where to go/where to avoid?
Root for the Cubs, and be prpared to laugh off another year without a pennant.
There is nothing like a Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field when the wind is blowing out,
a beer in your hand (Strohs of course, maybe Old Style)
a hot dog in the other...
waiting for the inevitable Cub's loss.
Aug 1st 2007, 1:44 pm
#73
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Re: Illinois - where to go/where to avoid?
Thanks Maggs - I'll definitely take a look at Long Grove while I'm there - it sounds lovely. Are the schools good there?
Also, there are very few Chicago suburbs with bad schools, it's hard to go wrong. www.greatschools.net
Aug 1st 2007, 3:00 pm
#74
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Re: Illinois - where to go/where to avoid?
The winters can indeed be sunny (unlike New England which is dark and dreary all winter) but the cold is so deep and blistering that it just doesn't matter. I can't sugar-coat the winter here... however, the summers are simply glorious, IMO.
Megabucks area. $850K for a decent house. Also, it may seem cheap in UK terms if you do dollars-to-pounds at the current exchange rates. However, as your income will be paid in dollars, the conversion is meaningless.
Also, there are very few Chicago suburbs with bad schools, it's hard to go wrong. www.greatschools.net
Megabucks area. $850K for a decent house. Also, it may seem cheap in UK terms if you do dollars-to-pounds at the current exchange rates. However, as your income will be paid in dollars, the conversion is meaningless.
Also, there are very few Chicago suburbs with bad schools, it's hard to go wrong. www.greatschools.net
Also I know I need to experience the cold winter for myself but I think it's the depressing grey sky and rain that makes me depressed - not really the cold. Sunshine always makes me feel better. I reckon I've got that SAD syndrome thingie...(together with a load of other depressive related ailments!! I'm a joy to be around, y'know!)
Aug 1st 2007, 3:24 pm
#75
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Re: Illinois - where to go/where to avoid?
I get what you're saying. It would just be my luck though to find the one area that did have a bad school! I'm ever so positive me!
Also I know I need to experience the cold winter for myself but I think it's the depressing grey sky and rain that makes me depressed - not really the cold. Sunshine always makes me feel better. I reckon I've got that SAD syndrome thingie...(together with a load of other depressive related ailments!! I'm a joy to be around, y'know!)
Also I know I need to experience the cold winter for myself but I think it's the depressing grey sky and rain that makes me depressed - not really the cold. Sunshine always makes me feel better. I reckon I've got that SAD syndrome thingie...(together with a load of other depressive related ailments!! I'm a joy to be around, y'know!)
You will probably find that you don't need to go outdoors very much if you don't want to.