Only one IL city in this list.
24. Rockford, Ill.
Unemployment rate: 9.0 percent
Last year: 6.1 percent
Job growth: 0.0 percent
25 Worst Markets to Find a Job
WOW - stay out of California & Michigan!!
Some of those towns are perennial losers in lists like this - however I was surprised to see so many of these in California.
HuskiesComeOnYouHuskies Wrote:Only one IL city in this list.
24. Rockford, Ill.
Unemployment rate: 9.0 percent
Last year: 6.1 percent
Job growth: 0.0 percent
25 Worst Markets to Find a Job
Not one city in Texas!
Another reason why Rockford sucks.
HuskiemobileMan Wrote:Another reason why Rockford sucks.
I went to high school in the Rockford area and my wife's family still lives in Loves Park so we visit Rockford every so often. Let me tell you, the decline of that city in the last 10 years has been astounding. It's almost getting ridiculous.
After I graduated with my master's, I received an offer to join a mid-sized firm in their Rockford office and I considered it since it's basically my wife's hometown. In the end, I just couldn't see myself living there anymore. It wasn't a good place to raise a family...lack of jobs, poor schools, and high crime.
Ah yes, Rockford. I guess I should be happy I'm gainfully employed in the "Screw Capital of the World".
Rockford is a classic Midwestern rust belt city. It's suffered economically since the 60's. Lots of heavy manufacturers used to call Rockford home. But many of those companies have gone out of business, siginficantly downsized or shipped jobs to cheaper production markets in the U.S. and abroad. Another big blow is going to be when Chrysler inevitably shuts down that Belividere plant on the tollway. Not only will all those good paying jobs go away but so too those at suppliers in the area who are in existence because of the Chrysler plant.
All things considered Rockford is holding up as best it can. I was recently in Loves Park for a big soccer tournament my daughter's club participated in. Nice impressive area I thought. Good homes, newer construction, attractive residential and surburbia type setting.
Nigel Incubator-Jones Wrote:Rockford is a classic Midwestern rust belt city. It's suffered economically since the 60's. Lots of heavy manufacturers used to call Rockford home. But many of those companies have gone out of business, siginficantly downsized or shipped jobs to cheaper production markets in the U.S. and abroad. Another big blow is going to be when Chrysler inevitably shuts down that Belividere plant on the tollway. Not only will all those good paying jobs go away but so too those at suppliers in the area who are in existence because of the Chrysler plant.
All things considered Rockford is holding up as best it can. I was recently in Loves Park for a big soccer tournament my daughter's club participated in. Nice impressive area I thought. Good homes, newer construction, attractive residential and surburbia type setting.
I guess it depends where in Loves Park you are at.
I was at some big sports and soccer complex. Impressive facility.
Nigel Incubator-Jones Wrote:I was at some big sports and soccer complex. Impressive facility.
l
You were at the SportsScore out on the corner of Riverside Blvd. & I-90. That area of Rockford is very nice and growing rapidly. Also with the southeast side of Rockford and the Northern/Northwest Rockford/Machesney Park area is also growing rapidly.
I think while the Rockford job market has declined, there are still just as many people moving to Rockford than those moving away. I know many who commute from Rockford to Chicago, Madison, Milwaukee, and many of the suburbs around the city.
While the decline in jobs is taking place, much of the area is becoming a nice place to raise and family. The cost of living in Rockford is drastically lower than even the far west burbs .
Rockford is good if you like drugs.
HuskiesComeOnYouHuskies Wrote:Nigel Incubator-Jones Wrote:I was at some big sports and soccer complex. Impressive facility.
l
You were at the SportsScore out on the corner of Riverside Blvd. & I-90. That area of Rockford is very nice and growing rapidly. Also with the southeast side of Rockford and the Northern/Northwest Rockford/Machesney Park area is also growing rapidly.
I think while the Rockford job market has declined, there are still just as many people moving to Rockford than those moving away. I know many who commute from Rockford to Chicago, Madison, Milwaukee, and many of the suburbs around the city.
While the decline in jobs is taking place, much of the area is becoming a nice place to raise and family. The cost of living in Rockford is drastically lower than even the far west burbs .
that seems quite unsustainable with an auto commute. perhaps a train commute, but with a car? rush hour would be a 2-3 hour ride each way! i can buy commuting to the randall road area or just beyond, but going rockford to chi seems crazy!
HuskiemobileMan Wrote:Rockford is good if you like drugs.
I would even go so far as to expand that to drugs, unemployment, and gang activities.
Boowie Wrote:HuskiemobileMan Wrote:Rockford is good if you like drugs.
I would even go so far as to expand that to drugs, unemployment, and gang activities.
I am glad we agree on something.
HuskiemobileMan Wrote:Boowie Wrote:HuskiemobileMan Wrote:Rockford is good if you like drugs.
I would even go so far as to expand that to drugs, unemployment, and gang activities.
I am glad we agree on something.
You know...me too
Most don't drive all the way to Chicago. Many go to Schaumburg, O'Hare etc. which is a 60-90 minute drive depending on traffic.
If you factor the extra gas with the lower cost of living and can stomach the time in the car it isn't bad. When gas was $1.50 a gallon a lot of people did it. When gas got to $4.00 I'm sure those that did regretted it. Personnaly, I would rather live within a half hour of my job, but I know for some that isn't possible.
HuskiesComeOnYouHuskies Wrote:Nigel Incubator-Jones Wrote:I was at some big sports and soccer complex. Impressive facility.
l
You were at the SportsScore out on the corner of Riverside Blvd. & I-90. That area of Rockford is very nice and growing rapidly. Also with the southeast side of Rockford and the Northern/Northwest Rockford/Machesney Park area is also growing rapidly.
I think while the Rockford job market has declined, there are still just as many people moving to Rockford than those moving away. I know many who commute from Rockford to Chicago, Madison, Milwaukee, and many of the suburbs around the city.
While the decline in jobs is taking place, much of the area is becoming a nice place to raise and family. The cost of living in Rockford is drastically lower than even the far west burbs .
Sports Score II is better. They have a bar on the grounds and they did not charge much for pitchers of beer or so I am told.
