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Life House Moving Illinois
Condense
the entire country into one small geographic area, and what' do you get? Illinois.
As a nationwide
crossroads of U.S. air, rail, auto and truck traffic through
dynamic Chicago,
the state of Illinois remains the perfect "average"
from its median cost of living index to its ethnic
and religious demographic.
Of course, for many job and salary seekers Chicago remains the "bright lights, big city" destination with its accompanying higher cost of living. Outside the city and surrounding suburban Chicagoland, however, expect to find Illinois magically transformed into small town agricultural America.
This is especially true heading toward the southern and most rural part of the state where the state capital, Springfield, was voted in 2010 one of Illinois' most affordable cities. According to the same report by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, other Illinois communities that ranked on a par with Springfield for affordable shopping and housing were Danville and the East St. Louis area.
Illinois quality-of-life statistics
Demographics
: (Illinois
Census Data)
Major cities: Springfield (capital), Chicago, Rockford,
Aurora, Naperville, Joliet, Peoria
Population : 12,831,970
White : 79.4%
Black, African American : 15.1%
Hispanic : 14.3%
High school graduates : 81.4%
Bachelor's degree or higher : 26.1%
Average household income: $47,711
Cost
of Living: Illinois cost of living index is 100.00,
or on par with the national average.
Property
Taxes : Illinois
Tax Climate - Combined state/local property taxes
were $17,888,828,000 in 2004, which brings per capita collections
to $1,407 (ranking 9th highest nationally).
Personal Income Taxes: Illinois residents must file their personal income tax using the Illinois Individual Resident Income Tax Form (IL-1040) by April 15. Illinois imposes a flat 5 percent of a taxpayer's federal adjusted gross income.
Housing
& Real Estate Overview : also see Zillow
- Illinois Real Estate
Home ownership rate : 67.3%
Average home price: $232,119
Average travel time to work : 28 minutes
Schools
: see Illinois
State Board of Education
Weather
: General weather conditions are fairly divided between
the southern & northern part of the state, with northern
winters colder and summers somewhat cooler. Due to its Midwest
location, Illinois warm weather tornados are by far the
most destructive weather hazard statewide.
Crime
: see Illinois
Crime Information
also
see -> Illinois
Taxes | Illinois
Eviction Laws | Illinois Outlets
Illinois
Tourism | Illinois
Fall Foliage | Illinois
Beaches | Illinois WIneries
Christmas
in Illinois | Illinois
Kids Party Locations
More
about moving to Illinois around the Web:
Moving
to Illinois - Official state site offering links to maps, crime statistics,
jobs & career resources, banking & real estate, K-12
schools.
Moving
to Illinois City-Data Forums - Active discussions
with Q&A on moving to Chicago, Springfield, and rural
& suburban Illinois with information on cost of living,
property taxes, neighborhoods, local politics, jobs, and related
tips & advice.
Berkeley
Parents Network - Moving to Chicago - Archived message
board posts on best family and kid-friendly neighborhoods,
schools & day-care in the Chicago area and surrounding
suburbs.
Chicago
for Residents - The official site with a guide to
neighborhoods & communities, city services, apartments
& real estate, schools & colleges, public transportation,
maps, tourist attractions.
also
see Chicago suburbs -> TownClick | Hinsdale | Clarendon
Hills | Downers
Grove
Lake
Forest | Highland
Park | Glenview | Oak
Brook | Glen
Ellyn | Naperville
City
of Rockford - Relocation Guide - Information on home buying
assistance programs, apartment rentals, property taxes, area
utilities and city services, voter and vehicle registration.
Illinois real estate, apartments & job classifieds:
Chicago
: Tribune | Sun-Times
Rockford
: Register-Star
Aurora
: Beacon
News
Peoria
: Journal
Star
|