What Are The Pros And Cons Of Living In Illinois?
Like every state in the US, Illinois has its good and bad sides to the picture scene. The primary reason people flock to Illinois is because of the opportunity at a new life and career. On the other hand, the biggest reason people run away or squeal is due to the danger within the city.
There are many reasons people see the pros and cons of living in Illinois. The good side shows the opportunities, home of McDonald’s, landscapes, agriculture, lifestyle, events, and cheaper rent. The downside holds the massive amount of crimes, traffic, brutal winters, expensive apartments in big cities like Chicago.
Three main attractions sustain Illinois. They are sports, music, and the arts. These are the only events that keep the state popping enough to bring in tourists.
Related Guide: The 15 Safest Cities In Illinois
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The Pros of Living in Illinois
Many pros outweigh the cons if you want to move to Illinois. It is a beautiful state to reside in and retire. In the places it is quiet by Lake Michigan, they have great camping spots or have a nice getaway.
The Opportunity is Everywhere in Illinois
With all the vast cities, the jobs are endless. There are more professional high paying jobs in the number one city, Chicago. Other cities in the state have a high population with many skills needed in every sector.
There is so much to be impressed with within the large cities. Outside the cities, agriculture covers 85 percent of the state with corn. It is the leader of corn growers in the nation.
Even small towns like Morton have job opportunities. It is known for canning 85 percent of the world’s pumpkins. Manufacturing and mining make up the rest of the opportunities.
Illinois is the Original Home of McDonald’s
The very first McDonald’s opened in Illinois. It may not seem like much to mention, but it is incredible to think about how big the franchise is. McDonald’s is global and one of America’s favorite fast-food chains, which outlasted multitudes.
Some Landscapes That Will Blow Your Mind
One of the most incredible gems is the Garden of the Gods in southern Illinois. Other places by the lake offer captivating scenery along with hiking trails sightseeing in nature. The cities are amazing to see with all the attractions and monumental buildings.
Many of the Chicago buildings still stand after reconstruction when the cow kicked over the lantern in 1871. The vision of endless corn stalks is none like it on earth. Many areas outside of the cities have open fields after harvesting, which leaves the mind wondering.
The Lifestyle is Geared Toward Success
Many would call the lifestyle prestigious. Everyone is moving forward in their lives as they are working hard toward becoming successful. After all, it is the “American Dream.”
High-paying jobs and fancy clothes and cars are what make people happy in the big cities. The majority hold college degrees, while the others are successful workers who are happy to put food on the table. As long as things move forward, people are pleased for the most part.
The cost of living is high, but the high-paying jobs compensate for everything. It pays for the lifestyle each individual works.
For the children, schools are rated some of the highest in the nation at four and five stars. Parents are thrilled with their children’s success among the 9,694 private and public schools. Overall, families are successful together.
Spring and Summer Are Spectacular
Spring and summer make Illinois one of the most beautiful states in the country. There is no humidity to make it muggy, so the temperatures are perfect around the 60s and 70s. As the snow melts from the winter, nature comes alive again, and it feels like a new life. People begin coming out to enjoy the scenery and outdoors after staying indoors keeping warm. There is nothing more intriguing than seeing the giant on the lake after winter.
Events and Things to Enjoy in Illinois
Many love sports, and Illinois loves their Chicago Cubs, Bears, Bulls, White Sox, and Black Hawks. The events from sports and live music packs the arenas. It brings people together along with the arts and crafts done by Illinois’ finest talents.
There are many events that people find intriguing. Even the most extraordinary talents come from all over the country to start a life in their hobbies and athletics. They always start in the big cities to make a name for themselves, which is the same as careers.
The Average of the State’s Rent is Cheaper
The average rent in Illinois hovers around $975 per month. It is among the lowest nationwide. Those who choose to live in Chicago are in for a shock, but we will get to that one in the cons.
Outside the city limits is where everything is noticeably cheaper. Eventually, as the cities grow, it will all work its way outward.
The Cons of Living in Illinois
Those who love the countryside of life will dread the cities with a passion. The city life has its excellent points, but you can almost double them in the negatives’ points. These are some pretty nasty things to think about when deciding if Illinois is the right place to live.
The Crime Rate is Terrible
Illinois ranks 19th in the nation for hostile crimes and the most dangerous place to live in America. Crimes reported in 2020 alone were 246,646 property crimes and 51,490 violent crimes. Alarms and surveillance cameras are seen everywhere.
Chicago is the number one city with over 2.7 million people coming in with 115,279 crimes. There are bars on home and business windows, but nothing seems to work. Somehow, the criminals keep finding a way to make people’s lives miserable and on high alert.
Traffic is a Nightmare in the Cities
With all the people that pack the cities, especially Chicago, it makes the traffic a nightmare to travel. Road rage is a problem in many areas and continues to worsen. It also can lead to the violence spoken in the previous section.
Housing and Taxes in Illinois are Expensive
Earlier, we discussed how the rent is cheaper than the rest of the country. The prices of purchasing homes are among the highest in America. It would take a salary of no less than $35,000 for a single person to make it.
Most of the people are bringing in $95,000 per household. The state taxes eat the money up with over five percent. Every politician is against the people as they continue to hike up the taxes in Illinois.
Winters Are Unbearable in Illinois
Anyone who does not like cold weather will hate living in this state. Sometimes the temperature gets below negative 25 degrees. No one can withstand those kinds of temperatures outdoors for long.
Frostbite is common for those who remain outdoors in extreme frozen temperatures. Any exposed skin and can freeze, and fingers can snap off. These are dangerous weather conditions as blizzards and snowstorms wreck the state.
The human body needs sunlight for vitamin D and other nourishment from the sun. No one can get these during the winter months as many are forced indoors. Only those who go to work or school are outdoors to and from the places.
Rentals in Big Cities are Expensive
Places like Chicago have apartments priced at the lowest $1800 a month. You would think you would get a four-bedroom apartment for that price. Nope, you only get one or two.
Those who live in Chicago feel it is cheap compared to Los Angeles or New York. Some people in those cities pay over $4,000. So, it is affordable to them, but anyone going to live there feels it is outrageous.
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Related Questions
How do I apply for government assistance housing in Illinois?
The HUD office in Illinois is the place to contact. They offer government assistance for low-income families and places to live in the housing development.
Are there gangs and the mafia still in Chicago?
Yes, gangs and street thugs are a significant problem in Chicago. Those who live in the Ghetto areas or the dangerous parts of the city are known as gangs. The mafia still exists, like in the days of Al Capone.Those would be known as the high-class gangs.
At what level does a person become living in poverty in Illinois?
Any person making less than $35,000 per year is the start of poverty.
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