Billing itself as the “City of Gardens,” Rockford in northern Illinois is full of green spaces. It’s also a popular place for families and retirees who want to enjoy big-city amenities without the big-city price tag. Just 90 minutes from downtown Chicago, Rockford was founded in 1834 and now spans 65.9 square miles. Its median age is 37.8 (2022), and most residents work in manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare, and logistics.

Rockford’s affordability attracts people who work in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Madison, Wisconsin. Its neighborhoods include a variety of homes, including those in Victorian Gothic, Greek Revival, and Italianate Villa styles. The typical home value is $135,728, up 13.5% over the past year (Zillow, 2022). There is always something fun to do. Fairs, festivals, markets, and celebrations help bring the community together.

Rockford is served, among other major roads, by I-90 on its eastern border, I-39 to the southeast, and U.S. Route 20, which runs east-west. U.S. Route 20 provides access to Haight Village near downtown. Historic homes, from modest Gothic and Greek Revival homes to elaborate Queen Anne-style homes, are a highlight of this area.

Overall, Rockford has been noted for being a proud city that has undergone real development, improving its residents’ quality of life.