In Part 1 of this post, I laid-out many of the distinct advantages Will County (located in northern Illinois) had from a business perspective.
In this Part 2, I want to focus on some of the services and features that exist within Will County that help enhance a resident's personal life, residence, and lifestyle. It will back-up the information supplied via my earlier post and in the recent Chicago Tribune article report that "Will County's home prices are staying positive" ... and my opinion that the County offers much to the prospective home buyer.
Nothing typically speaks more loudly to potential residents than that of accessibility to employment and work centers. The questions, "Can I find work close by? How easy will it be to get to my job? How do I accomplish getting to my work? Car? Commuting?" ... quickly come to mind. The information offered in Part 1 of this post can be very helpful when determining each of these.
Consider this ... major highways (Rt. 30, Rt. 45, I-55, I-355, I-80, Rt. 59, I-57) exist within the boundaries of Will, with the new I-355 extension tying-in access to many of them and the tollways. I can't understate how beneficial this I-355 extension is to those commuting within the County ... and to locations outside of Will as well.
Proximity to 2 major airports is greatly benefited by this extension and the many major highways found within its midst. Both O'Hare and Midway airports are within an easy drive, no matter your location within the County. The Amtrak station located in Joliet, also brings destination travel by train to area residents.
Four Metra commuter rail lines serve County of Will residents and businesses. All help to move
jobs closer for residents and businesses. It greatly broadens the choices of housing and lifestyles available too. The commuter trains are:
- Metra Electric Main Line
- Rock Island District
- Heritage Corridor
- Southwest Service
Opportunities for learning and expanding education exist year-round for students of every age in Will County, whether it be pre-school level, elementary, middle, or high school. The quality of schools directly reflects on residents, whether they have school-age children or not, so is very important. Many of the school systems found within Will County are exemplary and have won national recognition, both scholastically and for outside activities, such as music and sports. (To obtain information regarding the school systems within the area you are interested in purchasing a new home, please check the Will County Regional Office of Education website).
There are opportunities to attend universities and colleges, both 2 and 4-year, within the County borders too. A definite plus for those hoping to gain their education or re-train to focus on a new career. They are: (click on each for info and website)
- Joliet Junior College in Joliet. (Community College Dist. 525), the first 2-year higher education institution in the U.S.
- Lewis University in Romeoville
- Governors State University in University Park. (A 2-year Jr./Sr. public university)
- University of St. Francis in Joliet
- Rasmussen College in Romeoville/Joliet & Mokena/Tinley
- There are also satellite locations for other various colleges
Will County also offers its residents a wide variety of activities and entertainment choices. From Joliet's new baseball team the "Slammers" ... riverboat Casinos ... family activities and adventures ... nature outings in County and city's parks and preserves ... the 2 professional racetracks (Route 66 Raceway & Nascar's Chicagoland Speedway), golf courses, to big name venues and entertainment. And if you like history, there are plenty of places to see and visit. At last count, there were 32 sites within the County of Will that were listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This impressive list includes much of the downtown district of Peotone, the home of the Joliet "Steelmen" ... the impressive Joliet Central Township High School building on Jefferson Street, Mokena's McGovney-Yunker Farmstead on LaPorte Road, the Illinois & Michigan Canal, and the famous Rubens Rialto Square Theater located on Chicago Street in downtown Joliet (the county seat). (If a Vince Gill fan, you may remember seeing the theatre in one of his videos). You can always find something to do within Will County.
Will County itself is run by a 27 member County Board. The Board members represent 9 different wards, with 3 members from each. There are 24 townships that make up the County. Each has their own tax assessor.
The Forest Preserve of Will County presides over almost 21,000 acres of land. 8,600 of those acres have been added just in the last decade, so you can see that the protection of the wilderness and open spaces within the county are important to not only the elected officials, but the residents as well. There's a true commitment being made by the people.
As of the census of 2000, over a half-million people resided in the County. People of every race make up the population, with a fairly even breakdown in ages shown. The median age was 33 y
ears.
The broad range of housing styles and price-points I spoke of above? Information reported just recently supports my opinion.
Median Pricing of Will County homes, August to October of 2010, were reported in the Chicago Tribune's Sunday, May 22, 2011 edition of the Money & Real Estate Section. They showed a highest median price of homes sold in the County at $420,000. The lowest median price was shown to be $101,000.
The information, both in Part 1 of this post and above, outlines the many advantages, opportunities, and possibilities that exist for the future of the County, its residents, and you. I believe there is something of real value, no matter the age, lifestyle, or price-point of the housing desired.
Consider the many pluses and advantages to be found within Will County when considering where you hope to buy your home. Then contact me. I'll be happy to help and guide you.
If looking for mortgage information and service to purchase a home in Will County ... or any of Chicagoland or Illinois, please contact me today. There is no cost or obligation to do so. I will be happy to hear from you and have the chance to earn the opportunity to work with you.
Direct: 815.277.4036 Cell/Text: 708.921.6331 Email: gmundt@goapmc.com Website: http://www.genemundt.com/
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