Rockford, IL

Overall Score

Rockford belongs to the county of Lake County. The founding date of the city is 1834. That was the year that the first settlers in what is now Rockford, Thomas Blake, Germancus Kint, Lluis Lemoine, and Danyel Chew Haight, were founded. The community was originally known as "Midway" but later it was called "Rockford&quot, in honor of the brothel it was located in. In 1839 the village was declared a village, and in 1842 it became a city. In another five years, a womens seminary was established in what is now the city, and in another five years it became Rockford College. The most famous graduate of the college is the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1930, Jane Adams.

By 1860, Roquefort had become a fast-growing industrial center known for its agricultural implements. By 1860, the city had become the second-largest furniture company in the country, and that led to Rockford becoming the second-largest furniture manufacturer in the country in the first half of the twentieth century. World War I and World War II brought the agricultural and furniture industries of the city to a standstill.

Overall Score

• Tap water: Yes, safe to drink
• Religious government: Non-religious
• Population: 150,000 people
• GDP: $57,808 / year
• Foreigners can own real estate: Yes
• Power outlets: 115V60Hz
• Internet: 52 Mbps
• Best wireless: T-Mobile
• Pay without cash: Yes, cards OK almost everywhere
• Tipping: How much should I tip at a restaurant? A gratuity of 15 to 20 per cent on top of the bill (before sales tax) is standard, with 25 per cent given for topnotch service. Servers in America work hard for the money – they’re generally friendly, knowledgeable and willing to go the extra mile for customers.
• Apartment listings: Rent
• Apartments: Airbnb
• Hotels: Booking.com
• More hotels: Hotels.com
• Best taxi: Uber
• Online electronics shop: Amazon
• Best hospital: Osf Saint Anthony Medical Center
• Best intl air carrier: United Airlines
• Monthly costs for expat: $1900
• Monthly costs for family: $5000
• Monthly costs for local: $1400
• Meal: $13
• Small Cola: $2
• Beer 1 Pint: $6.5
• Coffee: $4.5

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