IN or WI

[Casha'sMommy]

DH may have a job opportunity in Northern IL. We're already aware that we cannot afford to live in the area of this potential job so we're considering NW IN or SE WI and dh would commute. We're hs'ers and we're wondering what the hs scene is in these areas. Can anyone give me an idea what it might be like in these areas? What are WI education laws like? Are either of these areas more active hs areas over the other?

We're hoping to get an overall feel for the situation before making any major decisions.

TIA!

[JavaFinch]

Both WI and IL have really low regulations. IIRC, IL doesn't even require you to report, and WI just makes you fill a small form out just saying you are HS'ing.

I'm about an hour from the border, so I'm unsure what they have more south or in IL, but I'm guessing if you end up near a bigger city (Kenosha, for example), then there will be some groups. I am in Jefferson CO and the group I'm in is very small. I'm looking for a new one - actually almost found one but they were not taking new people .

I know Janesville has a pretty large group, too, which I have thought about joining at least for the occasional activity, since that is only about 45 minutes away.

[Casha'sMommy]

The job is in Northbrook so we're looking at the Kenosha area but I know nothing of Wisconsin. I am willing to travel a little bit so I'm open to suggestions if you have them.

THANKS!

[bobandjess99]

IN has virtually no regulations either. Just a requirement that you keep attendance so that if it is requested, you can give it. No reporting, no testing, etc. We live off the commuter train to chicago, but if it were an everyday thing, you'd want to live closer than we are probably.

[Casha'sMommy]

It seems that IL, IN, and WI all have similar laws and requirements (very little or none at all) so I think that leaves us with a couple questions, "how active are the hs communities?" and cost of living vs commuting costs.

I have found a few things online but it is sometimes difficult to tell how truly active a group is simply by looking at a website or yahoo group y/k.

We have been looking at Schererville, Dyer, Crown Point kind of area but that drive would be nuts everyday. That led us to look into WI but the commute will probably cost enough that it won't make it worth the money we'd save in housing costs so we've also decided to look into the N Burbs to see what we can find.

[Mom2Camryn397]

Northbrook is definitely pricey but there are lots of areas of lake county, or even mchenry county, that will be more affordable for you and within a reasonable distance. Kenosha wouldn't be too far but 94 is always under some form of construction so the commute could be a nightmare at times. And I would not under any circumstances go to Indiana, that commute around the city all the way up to nortrhbrook would kill even the most calm and patient driver.

[heatherdeg]

I live on the Aurora/Naperville border because we were priced out of the 'burbs closer to the city. We are renting pending the purchase of a foreclosure in this area (should close end of month). We looked EVERY. WHERE. (including out near Rockford) Here's my stuff:

Lake County was a HUGE contender for us based on housing price, but I had a seriously hard time with the area. It just seemed a little less developed and I worried about access to stuff. Multiple people that lived there confirmed this for me.

We also considered the Batavia/Geneva/Schaumburg area and the cost was out there, but there appeared to be a relatively decent homeschooling scene.

Where I am now is seriously overrun with homeschool stuff. There are no less than 3 co-ops plus different social groups, the Y offers a gym & swim for homeschoolers and I'm told that in IL the kids can attend specials at the public school (art, gym, music, etc. We don't do it, but my neighbors with kids in public school all told me about it). There's a weekly homeschool skate, and a weekly gym meetup in addition to other stuff. The nice thing is that there's so many people hsing here, you can throw up an idea on one of the Yahoo loops and likely get SOMEone to go with you. We relocated and within 2-ish weeks, we'd met up on 2 playdates with other homeschoolers (this was in August when the lists are less active).

I live in an area of Aurora that feeds into the Naperville schools, but you could live in West Aurora for less and be very safe and still have access to the Metra and all the homeschooling stuff. People that live in Oswego and Plainfield live further out and still participate.

The guy up the block drives into the city and it's a bit over an hour. I think on the Metra, it's just about an hour. Driving non-rush-hour is about 45mins.

[PGTlatte]

Hi, I live in far NE Kane county IL...very close to the SE edge of McHenry county IL. FWIW, I would not wish a commute from NW Indiana to Northbrook on anyone. IMO it is just too far to commute from NW Indiana unless you are only going to city or the south burbs.

I believe there are some very active inclusive groups in Lake co IL. McHenry co IL has choices if religious is okay, but much less for secular/inclusive activity.

There are some areas of McHenry co IL that are more affordable than the areas further east and the commute to Northbrook wouldn't be bad. Our neighbor commutes to Northbrook. You might also want to check the western edge of Lake co IL.

I do not know anything about the activity level in southern WI.

[Casha'sMommy]

We've 86'd the idea of NW IN. We really like the housing costs but I was able to talk dh out of it. (I grew up on the SS of the city)

There seems to be a bit available in our price range in areas between Rockford and Northbrook. It's nice to get an idea of hs group activity levels. It's encouraging to hear that there is some good stuff going on.
Thanks so much ladies!

[heatherdeg]

If Rockford is an option, I have to say that I was relatively pleased with what was available in that area. They have a chapter of H.O.U.S.E. and the local college gives instrumental music lessons, plus the Y in Rockford actually had more stuff of interest to us than the one in Belvidere (which is the more desirable town to live in between the two because of the slightly better schools and lower taxes--although you'll find cheaper housing in Rockford).

The other thing is that the state finally made a decision to upgrade the rail line through Rockford/Belvidere when it looked like they were GOING to run through Genoa/Elgin. Construction is due to start with service starting in Fall 2012. The theory is that once those line upgrades and Amtrak service is in, it's really just a matter of Metra adding service (there's nothing else for them to do) into the city.

If you're interested in Rockford, I have a dear friend that literally sat down with me and a map to point out what areas were okay vs. the "rough" areas. She grew up there, and she and her husband now own several rental properties in Rockford and Belvidere. So she keeps current on it. Just pm me if interested. I also have an awesome real estate agent there who is certified to show HUD listed homes/foreclosures (and he has bought several himself--so he understands the costs to fix any repairs and how to get through the process). But he knows the regular market as well--it's just an option.

Oh, and there's a Holistic Moms chapter in Rockford, too. I don't know how active it is, but it's there! We found that Rockford was not even close to what people made it out to be... in a good way. It has it's areas--good and bad.

[Casha'sMommy]

Tried to PM but it didn't work?? Is this just me?

I would love the information on Rockford. Thanks so much!

Cate

N/M it worked ;-)

Edited by Casha'sMommy - 11/11/10 at 5:27am

[Nursingnaturalmom]

We lived in Milwaukee for years before moving about 18 months ago to a small rural town.

Milwaukee and Kenosha both have many homeschool groups.  Secular and Christian.

[pampered_mom]

Originally Posted by JavaFinch 

 I know Janesville has a pretty large group, too, which I have thought about joining at least for the occasional activity, since that is only about 45 minutes away.

Not sure if it will matter, but Janesville's group, although specifically inclusive, is primarily made up of rather conservative Christian homeschoolers so it takes on a very Christian tone.  I know there are a number of homeschool groups in the Rockford (and Southern Wisconsin area) that are specifically Christian which is a bonus if that's your perspective.  There's a newer group called I-HOPE in Rockford that from what I can tell seems to be a bit more on the inclusive side than some of the others.

[Casha'sMommy]

interesting about Janesville, something to think about. thx.

[Casha'sMommy]

I've been looking around at houses on Craigs to get an idea of what's available. Can anyone tell me anything about areas in Janesville? The good and the bad please.

DH and I would really like to stay under 20% of his income and, while we can do that in IL, it'll be a lot easier in the Janesville area.

thx.

Cate

[pampered_mom]

Janesville (and Rock County in general) is very socially conservative with a large number of conservative Christian types.  There is a thriving LLL in the area and a large group of homebirthing families - both of which have a similar flavor to the homeschool group (although not as one-sided).  There used to be a homebirth midwife right in Janesville, but as of earlier this year her family had moved out of the area (I believe there are other midwives that serve the area, though).  Property taxes aren't that bad.  There are a number of natural living type things available including a co-op, a Naturopathic clinic, etc.  The library's pretty awesome.  I'm sure there's lots I'm missing here.   PM me if you have specific questions...that would probably be easier.