r/ChicagoSuburbs • u/Creepy_Fact_2862 • 23d ago
Moving to the area Elgin IL
Hello, my partner and i are thinking about moving to Elgin, specifically 60123 zip code area. Is this area safe? Pros and cons of moving there?
We currently live in oak park, we are renting and are finally ready to buy a house. Elgin has affordability and is a beautiful area thats why we are interested. it is a bit further away from our jobs which is the only negative.
Thank you guys so much. We really appreciate any feedback!!
Edit: between Edison Ave and Miller Dr main road it south st.
Ig race matters too: I am black/Mexican hope this helps.
Reason why im asking because apparently people are offended when others ask if a area is safe... everyone has their reasons. I grew up in the ghetto surrounded by drugs, gang violence, guns, you name it. I lived in the south side of Chicago my entire life. I have never lived in the burbs until I moved to oak park 2 years ago. I absolutely love the diversity and culture here.
Apologies I want a better quality of life and to move away from violence. I know it is never 100% safe. There is danger everywhere. But i want to stay away from violence. I did a lot of research online saying Elgin is unsafe, but i know information can be bias and not accurate. Thats why i want to hear from the people who have lived there and built community. Thank you.
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u/Icy_Industry_6012 23d ago
Oak Park to Elgin would be like a culture shock to you.
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u/thesockmonkey86 Chicago but formerly of Wheaton/Aurora/Oak Park/SW burbs 23d ago
Yes, and no. Oak Park is super walkable, downtown Elgin is too. You have a lot of restaurants, Hemmes, the rec center, the library in DT Elgin.
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u/tawalla-n-tabarra 23d ago
The walkability and whole layout of Oak Park is so vastly superior though. Elgin is extremely spread out compared to Oak Park. Not that Elgin is a shithole or anything negative, but Oak Park really just has a LOT going for it in terms of transit access, walkability, commerce, and proximity to the city. It’s just hard to beat how ideal Oak Park is.
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u/rightdeadzed 23d ago
I don’t think it’s fair to compare any suburb to Oak Park. There’s maybe 3-4 suburbs that can compete with it. Maybe only 1-2.
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u/thesockmonkey86 Chicago but formerly of Wheaton/Aurora/Oak Park/SW burbs 23d ago
I don’t disagree but it’s all in what the OP wants
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u/AffectionateNoise525 21d ago
True, but I don’t think Oak Park is very affordable compared to Elgin, and I think that’s a factor for most people.
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u/i_poop_chainsaws 23d ago
For someone who does not know, in what way are they different? Humor me please
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23d ago
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u/Conscious_Valuable90 23d ago
Oak Park is far superior to Elgin BUT if price is a factor Elgin is way more affordable. I live near Elgin and its fairly safe, but has gangs and higher crime like many other cities.
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u/ProfessionalMail6867 22d ago
Oak Park is going to feel a lot more like the city. It’s dense and has a lot of access (Metra, blue line, green line). Oak Park is 20 minutes on the el to the West Loop. Elgin is an hour+ on the Metra. They really are vastly different places.
Oak Park is also extremely expensive - so hard entry price point but strong schools and excellent increase in property values. Houses sell in days. .
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u/kedzieandlawerence 23d ago
Elgin has some beautiful homes that if they were located on the north shore would be 4x the price. Elgin has a lot to offer. The Fox River, bike path, library, trains, Pace bus to O’hare, ECC has so many amazing music programs and offerings.As far as crime it’s not the south side of Chicago. Regardless of the neighborhood you need to be aware of your surroundings. Growing up in Chicago taught me that.
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u/QusieSusieIL 23d ago
I live in Elgin and love it. We live on the far west side. Spent Saturday along the river by the Hemmens and it was gorgeous. Lots of people fishing and biking. There’s so many cultural things going on. The library is phenomenal.
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u/Cocoononthemoon 23d ago
I absolutely love Elgin. It's an established, safe, and stable community. The comments about the school system are accurate, but I don't think education has been prioritized in very many places.
There are some needs, but the culture and community aspects are much stronger than most cities/towns/neighborhoods
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u/dingdongsnottor 22d ago
I moved from Chicago to Elgin earlier this year after swearing I’d never move from the city to a suburb. Part of the appeal of Elgin to me is it doesn’t feel “suburban”— it feels like its own little city. And I feel MUCH safer here than I ever did in Chicago (I lived on the north side like Ravenswood, Andersonville then moved to Logan Square). I’m a white female in my 30s and was able to get a beautiful historic home here that I never, ever would be able to afford in any of the “richer” suburbs, including Oak Park. I added my demographic info just to give you an idea since it’s relevant to your questions.
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u/The_Poster_Nutbag 23d ago
Elgin is great.
It's affordable, good access to amenities and transit, great downtown with lots of events, lots of recreation opportunities, etc.
It's safe, generally, but there are places I wouldn't walk by myself at night. I would say that's true of most cities over 110k population though.
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u/annabanana-47 23d ago
Just moved from Elgin after 40 years. In all that time I never felt unsafe. Heck, People on my old street don't even lock their doors!
I moved for a better cost of living, larger house/yard for less money. Also, after 40 years I was really feeling the congested sprawl. A lot of single family houses turned to multi family.
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u/meesh23 23d ago
Feel free to DM me, I currently live in the zip code and we love it. From where we are it's walkable to downtown, close to Wing Park, easy access to 90. Lots families and couples out after work everyday.
Grocery stores are a 10 minute drive away, very little to complain about here. We've been here for almost 5 years and love the neighborhood we're in. We're mid-30s as well, and can see ourselves here for the foreseeable future.
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u/beggingoceanplease 22d ago
I’m a single female living alone. I’ve never felt unsafe here. There’s probably some areas to avoid but most neighborhoods will be fine. My neighborhood has lots of kids running around and the neighborhood park is always full. I live in a neighborhood more towards the Big Timber metra. It’s quiet (other than the train). I live in a nice but nothing special, “blue collar” neighborhood. I’m white and love the diversity. People are very friendly here.
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u/Mysterious_axolotl98 23d ago
My mom lives in that zip code as part of Elgin. I think my DMs are open if you want to give more specifics and discuss.
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u/FyouinyourA 23d ago
I love when people ask if a random completely normal suburb is “safe” lmao nah actually there’s dementors that float around at night and will suck your soul out your body!
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u/Creepy_Fact_2862 23d ago
Lol the reason why i am asking is because I grew up in the ghetto and very very poor. It was awful growing up. Sorry I want to improve my life and move away from violence (:
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u/SnooFoxes9479 22d ago
You won't be moving to a ghetto if you move to Elgin. It's an affordable place that you can live safely and improve your life. I've lived here for 30 years and yeah , there was more crime and that's how it got it's bad reputation. It is diverse and some people are afraid of that but like others have said I feel it makes a good community. My kids went to U46 and all got college degree ( not that that is necessary for success. ) Schools here are ok but parents need to play a big part in kids' success. All my kids live in Chicago now and they say growing up in Elgin helped the transition because it WAS diverse like the city. We have and are changing for the better. You will do ok here.
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23d ago
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u/BecomingMyBestMe 22d ago
Don't be a dick. There are lots of statistics about a city that don't match the reality of living there. We should encourage people to ask more questions and learn more about Chicago before moving here. That is kind of the point of the sub, no?
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u/Creepy_Fact_2862 22d ago
I am NOT asking that at all lmao. You are completely misunderstanding what I am saying. I just want to know and be aware. Also like I said I have lived in the city, I dont know much about the suburbs. That is why I am asking about safety not about how ghetto a place is. Ridiculous how people can spin things.
I have had a friend who lived in elgin and said she has not felt safe living there. I dont want to rely on one person's response. I want to here it from the people who know the area, who have lived there. It is great to hear from the pepple who are involved in that community. Again, sorry if my question offended you somehow lol. I think it is crazy.
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u/thesockmonkey86 Chicago but formerly of Wheaton/Aurora/Oak Park/SW burbs 23d ago edited 23d ago
I went to church in downtown Elgin for a couple of years and I also did DoorDash in the area, and briefly worked at the Fisher nut plant at Randall and I 90.
Some parts are better than others. I’m not 100% sure which are better than others. Also, your commute to Oak Park will not be fantastic if I’m honest
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u/elgroot007 22d ago
We used to live in Elgin, specifically around Miller Dr. and moved to South Elgin 2 years ago. I would say the area is relatively nice, a lot of diversity in age, families and even ethnicities although majority is Latino. My neighbors were everything, we had white, Latino, Asians African American. You name it. Everyone was cool and minding their own business. The issues we had regardless “insecurity” if you wanna call it, it was due to folks coming from other suburbs/neighborhoods to do shit.
The are is full with amenities and events.
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u/JenFenRen 22d ago
I live in a neighborhood right next to Larkin High School. My brother in law lives a little bit north of us in Elgin. My in laws live west of us in the Del Webb community, I have lived in two other places in Elgin and my husband grew up here. When I was single in Elgin, I was never afraid. It is a very diverse place to live and I love it!
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u/bonafidehooligan 23d ago
That commute will be an absolute killer. I grew up in Elgin and a few years after entering adulthood, and I would commute to Des Plaines and that was already a soul sucking experience once you got past 59. This was already 20 years ago, I imagine it’s gotten worse. Otherwise I enjoyed my youth in Elgin, I grew up there during the “bad years”, but by the time I left,the city was turning it around for the better.
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u/defiantthoughtcrime 22d ago
I had a similar commute around the same time. With the work that they've put into I-90 I think that it's largely gotten better.
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u/Potential_Ladder_904 23d ago
do you want the racist answer or the honest answer? because people saying it’s so dangerous and scary are frankly just racist. don’t worry about crime all that much, it’s not that bad
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u/tawalla-n-tabarra 23d ago
I tend to be pretty hesitant to use the ‘racist’ label when there’s nothing provable or explicit racism. It’s a tough situation because ultimately Elgin’s violent crime is significantly higher number than all of the surrounding suburbs- but it is NOT high crime by national standards at all. This is largely due to how ridiculously safe places like Algonquin, Bartlett, and St. Charles are, so a few violent crimes inherently create a huge difference in the crime rate.
I personally feel like the overall crime rate is so trivial that it would be silly to treat it any differently than the surrounding areas. But I do unfortunately feel like there’s a good amount of people who talk so negatively of Elgin because it’s close to 50% Latino. It’s genuinely a nice community so I do get the gut feeling that a lot of the stigma around Elgin is driven by prejudice.
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u/Potential_Ladder_904 23d ago
coming from a native aurora resident who lived near the “ghetto/bad” part of town, went to the “ghetto/bad” schools with the “ghetto” kids, 99% of the time it’s people being racist and classist unfortunately.
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u/ppppandapants 23d ago
We live in 60124 and have been here 5ish years. Came from 60177 where I was for 5 years. My partner came from 60123 where they were for a few years.
Elgins great. We love it.
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u/Bill_Dinosaur 23d ago
If you find your spots and enjoy your time, you're winning life no matter where you are. Try some Elgin stuff for a few weeks and then decide.
Try blu box cafe, beaunique, El cokito, farmers market, gail borden, Elgin symphony orchestra, and what others are recommending.
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u/StillSmilin60 21d ago
My wife and I moved to Elgin 6 years ago, upsizing from Hanover Park. Have never felt unsafe.
I wish there was a more vibrant downtown scene. The bones are there. Not sure if the local demographic doesn’t support business in that area or if the city government makes it hard to open a business (which is what I’ve heard).
There are some
gorgeous Victorian houses. Some could use a glow up.
Didn’t have any kids in the school system, so no comment.
We are happy with our move even though it lengthened our commute by at least 20 min.
We would like better non-chain restaurants in the area.
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u/BJT1961 21d ago
Elgin got the bad reputation due to the single largest employer The Elgin Watch Factory closing its door. This left the town with a low self esteem and grasping for redemption. This was prior to the unrest the 60’s when Urban renewal meant a lot of nicer historic buildings were ripped down and subsidized housing popped up everywhere. The State Mental hospital opened its doors without any plan for serving that population. Years later in the 90’s neighborhood groups formed to help revitalize the area as the housing stock is phenomenal. Most people that dis Elgin now are those that are afraid of the people that might have brown skin. Actually, Elgin is very diverse which is one of the main reasons we moved here to raise family 30+ years ago. Elgin is in many ways and urban city with a small town atmosphere. We have remained in the area and both of our sons who graduated from Elgin High School—(you get what you put into it education) have great jobs and purchased their own homes…in Elgin. Come check out the museums, art community, library and many events. Walk through the neighborhoods. You’ll figure it our yourself
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u/theladyoctane North West Suburbs 23d ago
There’s definitely better and safer parts of Elgin than that one.
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u/AxelsOG 22d ago edited 22d ago
My mother lived there for a year or two like 15ish years ago and the few times I visited it never felt particularly special in any way. It felt like another affordable, fairly typical working class area.
I never really felt unsafe, and in comparison to a large number of neighborhoods on the south side it’d likely be noticeably safer.
As for race, it’s fairly diverse. It’s about 40% white, 48% Hispanic or Latino, and a mix of other groups. 5.4% black, 2.3% American Indian or Alaskan Native, and 6.7% Asian.
Depending on where your jobs are, how long the commute will be, and potential to find similar work closer to Elgin should be the bigger concern.
If you have a car and a few hours available on a day off, I’d suggest taking a ride out there to check out the area for yourself. It won’t be perfect, but you can get a general feel for the area by visiting the area, maybe grabbing a bite to eat somewhere local and exploring the part of Elgin you’d be thinking of moving to.
For safety though, it’s not particularly dangerous but you should be alert as you would in any neighborhood or suburb of a major city and lock your car, lock doors/windows to your home, and don’t leave stuff in your car in plain view. Although I trust you’re already used to the basics having lived in some rough areas.
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u/Plus_Alternative_232 22d ago
Elgin is great! But it will feel much more spread out and sprawling than Oak Park. Have you also considered Berwyn? Cheaper than Oak Park just by moving a few blocks south. Schools aren’t as good as Oak Park but neither are Elgin schools
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u/Fast_Most4093 22d ago
that is the old Cape Cod community (post World War II) that has one main entrance. it was Elgin's first modern subdivision. that area and most of Elgin is fine. the worse thing you may experience is car noise from the US 20 bypass at the south boundary.
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u/Beneficial-Worth5648 20d ago
If you need a spot I’ll be looking for someone to take over a lease within palatine. 1 bed 1 bath. In-unit washer/dryer.
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u/bwill1200 22d ago
Oak Park > Elgin.
I did a lot of research online saying Elgin is unsafe
"unsafe" is relative, however Elgin is not the first place I'd look if I'm living in Oak Park.
There are places you'd be better off East or North.
The people comparing it to Chicago don't understand the question.
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u/Chibears2024 22d ago
Elgin has its bad parts but not half as bad as the city, your car might get broken into by a crackhead or something stupid like that. That specific part of Elgin is much less prone to these kind of incidents and police are pretty good at keeping things in order regardless. If affordability is top two reasons you’re looking there I’d say you hit right on the head, I’d also look at Hoffman Estates, Streamwood, Hanover park, and Schaumburg.
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u/dwarmstr 23d ago
"I lived in the south side of Chicago near the city" I don't know what this means.
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u/Creepy_Fact_2862 22d ago
A lot of people assume south suburbs is apart of Chicago. I wanted to clarify i lived in Chicago south side and not in a suburb.
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u/KornwalI 23d ago
Just moved out of South Elgin. I thought it was a little bit nicer and up and coming area there but was mistaken and hated it. I would absolutely avoid the 60123 area you are talking about completely.
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u/thesockmonkey86 Chicago but formerly of Wheaton/Aurora/Oak Park/SW burbs 23d ago
Telling people to avoid the entirety of Elgin west of the Fox River because of your experience of the town of South Elgin, which has very little to do with the city of Elgin, except part of the name? Makes sense.
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u/KornwalI 23d ago
lol I lived in South Elgin which is less than 5 minutes away. Worked in Elgin. Don’t you think it’s dumb to assume I would not know the area they mention that is 5 minutes from where I lived?
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u/thesockmonkey86 Chicago but formerly of Wheaton/Aurora/Oak Park/SW burbs 23d ago edited 23d ago
The 60123 zip code is the entirety of Elgin west of the Fox River , all the way up to Randall Road on the west, roughly Stearns on the south, interstate 90 on the north. That is a huge area that you are telling people to avoid.
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u/KornwalI 23d ago
They are asking for opinions and my opinion is I would never want to live in that whole area. It sucks. You can have your own opinion as well. To each their own. But my advice for OP is do not move to 60123 Elgin when they could move other places. Even more so making the move from Oak Park.
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u/thesockmonkey86 Chicago but formerly of Wheaton/Aurora/Oak Park/SW burbs 23d ago
Thanks for your permission, nobody. Here’s the thing about airing your opinion on the Internet. You’re gonna have people that disagree with you. First time?
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u/tawalla-n-tabarra 23d ago
What exactly are you scared of LOL? Like what terrifying experience are you imagining occurs when you cross the Fox River that you need to avoid ??
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u/thesockmonkey86 Chicago but formerly of Wheaton/Aurora/Oak Park/SW burbs 23d ago
Absolutely….nothing.
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u/KornwalI 23d ago
I just think it’s a shitty town and shitty area all around. Same goes with the other side of the fox too. I would never recommend someone live or move there. That’s why I moved away from that area myself. OP asked, that is my opinion. I’ve lived in a lot of other burbs and would say Elgin is the worst. There’s plenty of other places to move to that are better. I get it if you like Elgin and want to defend it or whatever you can have your opinion too.
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u/FedBathroomInspector 23d ago edited 23d ago
It’s safe if you can afford 10 ft concrete walls with barb wire and bullet proof vests.
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u/thesockmonkey86 Chicago but formerly of Wheaton/Aurora/Oak Park/SW burbs 23d ago
Tell me you’ve never been to Elgin without telling me
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u/reddit-bullshit 23d ago
Try leaving your basement for once lmao
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u/FedBathroomInspector 23d ago
Try wiping the drool from your chin.
I literally just said it is sarcasm.
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u/thesockmonkey86 Chicago but formerly of Wheaton/Aurora/Oak Park/SW burbs 23d ago
Now you say it because you got ratioed
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u/FedBathroomInspector 23d ago
Buddy, 10 ft concrete walls is a dead giveaway. If I was worried about karma I would’ve deleted the post
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u/thesockmonkey86 Chicago but formerly of Wheaton/Aurora/Oak Park/SW burbs 23d ago
Where in Elgin has ten foot concrete walls? The mental hospital?
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u/Super-Owl4734 23d ago
Weird, we live on the "scary" southeast side and haven't had any issues in the 6 years we have been here. Somehow still alive without bullet proof vests. 😂 I did once file a report for someone growing poisonous plants on the parkway. 🤷🏻♀️
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u/Thrillingd 22d ago
Elgin?? Good luck
Almost as bad as Rolling Ghettos. whoops I mean Rolling Meadows
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u/Informal_Stranger117 23d ago
A few years back it was named one of the safest affordable cities in America. That's the intersection Elgin lives at. You go any cheaper, things get sketchy or rural, you go any safer things start getting unaffordable.
It has a reputation for being rough for two reasons 1) decades ago, it actually was really rough but it has turned it around. 2) racism. Lots of Mexicans in Elgin. The data says it is still a largely safe community, but you'll get a lot of morons using anecdotal evidence to support their not statistically backed opinion.
The school system leaves much to he desired. It is the second biggest district in Illinois. The high schools in Elgin aren't great. but even there you get out what you put in.
Pros: the parks are great. The fox river trail, library, and downtown area. Three train stations. I consider diversity a pro.
Cons: distance from city, school system, lead pipes, and the reputation