Yesterday, when I did my first morning log in to facebook, I learned that Forbes Magazine has declared Rockford, IL, (home of the sock monkey...I kid you not.) the town where I was born and still live today, to be #14 on the Most Miserable City to Live In list. Technically, I live in Machesney Park, which is a northern suburb (village connected to the north end of Rockford...not sure it actually qualifies as a burb), which, to be honest, makes Rockford look damn good, so everything is relative in life and geography. At least we aren't #1.
The criteria Forbes used had to do with crime and unemployment, and there is no question that Rockford has more than its share of both. The crime part isn't something that has ever been a big issue for me, and I work in an older, sadder part of town next door to the needle exchange program. The crime is there, but I've managed to avoid it, though have witnessed the drug problem frequently. The unemployment is horrible and has touched several people I know and love.
For me, who has lived here for-ev-er, its problems are different than those Forbes touched on. Rockford is stuck in a conservative box that I don't ever for-see it breaking out of. I'm not sure it wants to. Part of the problem is that we are located close enough to larger, or trendier cities that most of us make fine use of on a regular basis. I certainly do. Perhaps if better shopping/dining/museums/films/theater/education/art were not quite so close at hand Rockford would step up to the plate and provide for itself. Maybe not. I've heard the powers-that-be talk about it since I was old enough to grasp the concept, and that's been several decades.
Now, I'm no authority to talk here, because my idea of a great evening involves my husband, a fireplace, knitting needles and Netflix, but I think most of us that have lived here a long time have stopped looking close to home for our entertainment/leisure time options. It's the proverbial forest from the trees scenario. Rockford does have some really great qualities, but my jaded eyes have lost the ability to see them. Perhaps it's time for me to become a tourist in my own town and rediscover the positives that Rockford has to offer.
Case in point: this photo is of Anderson Gardens. It's located ten minutes from my house. The only time I go there is if visitors come from out of state and we have to figure out how to entertain them.
Jane resides at the Burpee Museum of Natural History in Rockford. Confession: I have never, ever, been inside this museum. Ever. What is up with that?
So, before I spend much time complaining about where I live, I guess I ought to take some time to really get to know her first. The real her, and not just what I think I see.
Still, is a Trader Joe's too much to ask for?
Holly, you are spot-on with this post. I, too, am exceedingly happy with Netflix, Knitting, & The Welder, but that doesn't mean that we don't seek out entertainment elswhere. Perhaps fortunately, we don't often tool into Chicago or Madison (takes lots of money to haul six kids to the big city). Matt & I run the AYSO Soccer program here in Rockford, and we see first hand the level of apathy that is present in our city. Why that apathy is so pervasive is another post entirely, but I do know for a fact that it hasn't completely taken over. We have a fantastic group of volunteers (though never enough!) who make our program run every season, and that is certainly NOT apathetic. I can't quite yet let go of the hope that things will start to look up around here; I know part of that is me making an effort to open my eyes to what's locally available.
Posted by: Carielynn | February 20, 2010 at 11:44 AM