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hubbs76

Which part of Joliet is the key question


optimusHerb

Extremely important


toxicbrew

Some parts are actually Plainfield and some parts of Plainfield are Joliet


sreey97

Come to Plainfield. It’s so much better


thunderbird32

Way too expensive now. Plainfield is setting rents like they're Naperville


mackventurous

There's nothing to do here though


peenaboo

Omg I love this comment 😂 looking at you Joliet water tower behind Plainfield south!


toxicbrew

It should have read that some parts of “Plainfield” are legally within Joliet. Including Plainfield South High School. Supposedly the developers figured Plainfield sounded better so somehow got Plainfield mailing addresses but all their facilities and taxes are all in Joliet as they are all properties fully within Joliet boundaries. You can see PF South here within those boundaries on this map, as well as lots of surrounding properties having similar Plainfield mailing addresses while being within Joliet https://www.google.com/maps/place/Joliet,+IL/@41.513015,-88.1501694,9z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x880e456bec363d7d:0x9f9e66f7a36bc042!8m2!3d41.525031!4d-88.0817251!16zL20vMHM5Yl8


AutumnalSunshine

Some parts of Joliet have a Plainfield mailing address but are in the city of Joliet. But my God, they never want to admit they're in Joliet.


Ivor79

Between the prison and the oil refineries


hubbs76

Gotta be west of the J on the map. Or far eaat


AluminumCansAndYarn

I was on the j for like 4 years in my 20s in the cathedral area and it was pretty nice. But east of the j is not advisable.


hubbs76

Agreed. Cathedral area is very nice but down the hill ... It goes downhill


Liquid_TZ

Damn this is too accurate lol


Tammyshouseparty

East Joliet here 😂


CardiologistLower965

Fingers crossed not the hill.


nofx1510

Born and raised there for 18 years. It’s fine. An industrial city that fell on some harder times as a lot of the rust belt did but has generally rebounded due to its location to 80/55 and the industry that has brought. There are better places to grow up but there are also a lot worse places to grow up. Never felt like my upbringing was impacted from growing up there.


nick-and-loving-it

This is a great take and true of the vast majority of places in the US. Everyone is suffering from greener-grass envy


Breezyisthewind

Yeah if we look at it from a bell curve perspective, most places are like this, especially in major western countries like the US.


Sprucecaboose2

Born and raised and still here at 39. I'll agree with this assessment. Also close enough to Chicago and Starved Rock and tons of things in between.


-CoachMcGuirk-

Grew up there too!! Went to Farragut, Dirksen, and Central.


Str8OuttaLumbridge

I80 cities and towns are all the same


chihawks

Fair assessment


ActionReady9933

Great…if you love disc golf! ⛓️🥏


27_8x10_CGP

Never played any of the courses in Joliet, but being super close to Dellwood must be amazing.


ActionReady9933

Dellwood is the jewel, but West Park, Highland Park, Community Park, and The Oaks are all great and right there.


nofx1510

I grew up playing disc golf at west park and discovering that most courses aren’t complex forest courses was a surprise to me. Didn’t realize how spoiled I was.


27_8x10_CGP

Played Oaks a few times. Never the other 2. I think The Oaks is a much better looking course, but Delly is so much better


jakemg

I feel like the Oaks has gotten a little worse over the past few years. Mostly in terms of the OB. If you’re off the fairway at all, it’s tall grass, poison ivy, and thorns. They used to trim up the OB a bit more and now it’s just super overgrown.


27_8x10_CGP

Glad I don't play there anymore. Just Dellwood, Rivals Lookout outside of Wilmington, Willowhaven in Kankakee, Riverfront in Bourbonnais, and Peotone. Played Round Barn once and the Elwood course a few times.


mojonation1487

Third hole at West Park is 🤌


Psychological-Ad2204

Was about post this then saw it was the first reply lol


NSuave

Which are the best courses around there? Had no idea they had courses there


ActionReady9933

Dellwood is the jewel, but West Park, Highland Park, Community Park, and The Oaks are all great and right there.


sunshine60st

Spent time in prison there, and of all prisons I was I was in, it was certainly the shittiest one.


gothrus

Joliet Jake?


lfisch4

No, that’s Stateville Sunshine


usababykiller

I grew up in Joliet. I remember having to do some clean up duty during army basic training with some other soldiers from other units on post. The “where are you from?” question eventually came up, and after saying I was from Joliet this female soldier I had been working with told me her dad lives in Joliet. After asking what part of Joliet she lets me know he lives at Stateville.


dualsplit

I recently learned that incarcerated persons from other facilities go to Joliet for hospice. I just can’t imagine.


sunshine60st

It's by far the dirtiest and most run down facility I've been too. I spent time in a good dozen or so.


Tammyshouseparty

Ah yes club ultimate


ReneDiscard

Did you meet Freddie Gibbs?


double_dropkick

Great if you’re looking for one of the last remaining Rax Roast Beef restaurants


glitch241

Rax: You can eat here


red_rockets22

Upvote for Rax - I miss the 5 for 5


mythofdob

Wait, that place is actually open? I drive by it all the time.


RossMachlochness

Put 150,000 people in one place, 15,000 of them are going to be assholes. Joliet’s no different.


TheJofisean

Come see some great live music at Richardson’s every other Friday! Dope ass band that I’m totally not in just booked a regular gig there


RossMachlochness

Marzell’s good people


southcookexplore

You know, it’s awfully interesting to read people say this city sucks but it went from 75,000 people 30 years ago to over 150,000 today. Schools are expanding because it’s a place families are relocating to. Once downtown becomes a better destination for entertainment, it’ll be awesome. I love Joliet.


ForeSkinWrinkle

Downtown needs a total redo for sure. So many empty storefronts and then you have to pay to park for the privilege of going there.


RufusSandberg

Aurora was in this same predicament about 6-7 years ago. They got lucky with some great developers and it's really turning around. Have patience. Hollywood is relocating the casino to the East side away from downtown and we can't wait. It only takes 3-4 great businesses to get things going, but you can't slow down once the momentum is going.


southcookexplore

I really wish the current downtown casino didn’t wipe out blocks of cool old buildings along the I&M Canal / Des Plaines River. It didn’t need to be THAT close to downtown. It’s convenient to get off the train and be at the baseball field across the street (if you’re on Rock Island, certainly not Heritage Corridor!) but it blows my mind how they lost both of their downtown breweries within six months. I host history tours at the oldest-standing brewery in IL and one fact I share with people is that prohibition really affected mom and pop breweries. The pre-prohibition number of independent breweries in IL didn’t recover till about 2005. We’re seeing the pendulum swing right now though because 10% of all breweries in IL closed in 2023. MyGrain was such a perfect location, and Elder was easy to get to as well. I hope someone considers another swing at union depot again


AppiusClaudius

I lived in downtown Aurora about 10 years ago. It was fine, but it really needed a facelift. People had been talking about new development for awhile. Glad to hear it finally happened!


RufusSandberg

Leland? Downtown has really changed so much from 10 years ago. I think you'd be impressed. Broadway is still a bit of a struggle but the core is definitely being reshaped. River Street has a new coffee shop across from the library, the West Aurora Admin building is 2 storefronts, apartments, and has an architect in there too. There's a tap room a little further south on River. A small ice cream shop and new restaurant on Stolp. Two new restaurants in the next month (hopefully).


seacow113

If only they could do it without giving tax dollars and public land away to outside billionaires.


southcookexplore

There are so many solid (and historic) buildings downtown that I don’t want that to change, but I would love to see these continue to become places to frequent. Vintage clothes, albums, a coffee shop, a plant shop…Chicago Street is getting there!


FuturamaRama7

They are working on it. They had like three professional mockups of downtown and last I heard was it was going up for a vote.


tripod689

Making downtown better has been talked about for at least 30 years and it’s improved at a snails pace.


ltlvlge12

This is good to hear. Go Joliet! I love seeing the baseball stadium when you approach on the Amtrak.


IlliniHuskie

We salt everything


derps-a-lot

Fuckin JOES


IlliniHuskie

Fries or rings?


derps-a-lot

Yes


RossMachlochness

FRIES OR RINGS?!?!?


RDE79

There is a nice part of Joliet that is in the Plainfield school district. I would look into that area if you are set on moving there.


IndominusTaco

3rd largest city in Illinois


DMDingo

According to recent numbers it looks like Naperville might be 3rd now.


I_Am_Dwight_Snoot

Wow some estimates put them within a couple hundred of each other.


danniekalifornia

Nah E: stand corrected didn't realize it was bigger than Rockford now


DMDingo

Apparently Rockford has been dropping positions for quite a while. It'll be interesting to see how much the boom Belvidere is having and the train line affect this.


showtimebabies

It's all 815 to me


Either-Gain1863

I always thought Peoria was the third largest.


PrismPhoneService

Or Springfield, or E.St Louis, or soemthing.. I never thought it would be Joliet but dam if it hasn’t grown.. although Aurora-Naperville also wouldn’t surprise me.. or Evanston actually.


pj_socks

Evanston doesn’t have the real estate. It’s less than 8 square miles in size.


Puffpufftoke

Joliet is blue collar and proud of it. It’s large enough for diversity and all the good and bad that go with it. It has all the shopping and restaurants needed for a community of this size. It’s at an amazing location with rail access to Chicago and beyond. An hour south of Chicago and 30 minutes North and East of rural Americana. Fishing, hunting, and as mentioned above, disc golf. I moved to Chicago a few years back but I miss Joliet. It is as real as the shirt on your back. It’s not pretentious. You gotta be a little tough and a little thick skinned, but that’s what being real and honest is all about. The city runs well. Police and Fire don’t mess. Streets and sanitation are in good shape. I personally miss the wide streets and the grass easements and front yards. Chicago is beautiful but a concrete wasteland. Joliet has a pace that I was attuned with.


MilesTheGoodKing

They should hire you to do marketing because this comment was better than any radio ad I’ve heard


Schlormo

agreed


JonnyQuest1981

This is probably the best explanation. Enjoy my upvote!


TheChiBanana

💯 this is a perfect description. I love Joliet. I moved away years ago and find myself missing it more as I get older.


optimusHerb

That’s a really good explanation


Pitiful-Excuse-7220

This is the perfect description. I love Joliet for these reasons.


BlueSpotBingo

Better than Danville.


DMDingo

I haven't heard anything positive about Danville.


BlueSpotBingo

Growing up there is the most negative thing that’s ever happened in my life - and it lasted for 18 years. Left that bitch the moment I was able.


ky7969

I only lived there for the first 6 years of my life and I think it negatively impacted me lol


BlueSpotBingo

Right. And I meant that “negative” comment literally. Every person in that city has a chip on their shoulder. There is no light heartedness present there. At least there wasn’t in the 90’s and early 2000’s. Everyone was pissy, negative and just a drag to be around. It is not a happy place.


icelink4884

I've lived her my entire life. I really like it. The food is good it's normally pretty quiet. Not a great place if you're looking for exciting nightlife or nature, although it's got a few nice paths. It's also only an hour from some nicer state parks.


kryppla

That’s not even the whole city, plenty of Joliet still off to the west


toxicbrew

It really does sprawl out in a bizarre way


kryppla

Lots of annexation over the years


Zenie

Lived here the last 3 years, grew up in South burbs. I feel like the NW side near Shorewood is a hidden gem. Wife and I love the area and people should definitely not move here. I hope the persona stays negative cause I like it and don't need more people ruining it.


FuturamaRama7

It’s quite beautiful there. The Black Rd Library is on beautiful wooded woods and looks amazing in fall


saintceciliax

Joliet is perfectly fine these days people just can’t shake the stereotype, same as Aurora


butthatshitsbroken

my slovenian side of the fam is all from here and I consider moving back there all the time (in northern IL now)


showtimebabies

Like Chicago and malort, Joliet likes it slivo


butthatshitsbroken

man, now I want a shot of it shfdsjkfhds haha!


Burninmules

I've been here for over 49 years. I dig it. My property taxes are cheap and there's a lot of good people that live here. A lot of shitty people also, but you'll have that when you have 150,000+ people


uhbkodazbg

There’s a Rax. That’s enough to get me off the highway when I’m in the area.


BurgerBob1010

I lowkey love J-town. It's got its problems, but spending time both there and Peoria, I'm taking Joliet.


missuburbandecay

It's affordable.


420CurryGod

They got the autobahn which imo is a great karting track


blizzard7788

I do track days there with my Mustang.


Fun-Tea2725

You get to watch Semi trailors load up and depart and arrive IN REAL TIME!!


migf123

Cheap rent, cheap beer, cheap bowling, 24/7 donuts & coffee, frequent Metra service to Chicago. Joliet has its issues but it's a wonderful city. Gorgeous mansion district, has a cute little college area, a little medical district, and great hunting grounds.


Pitiful-Excuse-7220

💯


migf123

There's also a thriving hispanic community on the east side. And JJC does much for making education affordable & equitable in the region.


Pitiful-Excuse-7220

Having lived in Ingalle Park, it was my favorite part of the city. Non pretentious, affordable housing in quiet tree lined neighborhoods close both 355 and 80, it is really a working man’s paradise if you can get past the stigmas the town still carries. Cuisine from every culture, great parks, convenient shopping, a great minor league baseball team, and great, accessible education. I’ll always stick up for Joliet, even if it can hold its own.


mithril2020

Depends: in prison? Or out?


DeezNeezuts

Good comment on the town from another sub. https://www.reddit.com/r/ChicagoSuburbs/s/jPwfKu6zpa


LaUNCHandSmASH

I personally think that person is a fucking idiot but what do I know. Since then Bill Murray (with partners) has bought the Joliet Slammers!! If that’s not a ringing endorsement idk what is


Offamylawn

There's White Castle. That's what I say when I drive by on 55.


Jeffkin15

[Thumper City](https://youtu.be/mFh1_U9FOcA?si=4zr65clIOTyS2dWY)


imhereforthemeta

I feel like a suburb is a suburb, but it’s definitely worth pointing out that Joliet has a ton of potential. There’s some gorgeous architecture both in the downtown area and in the neighborhood. It’s not exactly close to Chicago but it’s also not the farthest away place in the burbs. I think there is a lot of opportunity for the right person who wants to invest in a suburb with a lot of character and it’s still relatively affordable. It is also definitely isolated enough that people who are not particularly fond of cities can really thrive and you can experience a decent little metro and farmland right outside or something if you want


Roboticpoultry

I have friends who moved out there from Chicago, they seem to like it well enough


glitch241

Is it like Roseanne?


suemacmul

I grew up in another suburb, moved here 10 years ago. I love it! It's a city that values families and education. Kids' sporting events are packed. There's a sense of community that is undeniable. Whether I'm debating between Joe's vs Hey Hotdog, Dari Delight vs Walts or Homecut vs Donut Den, I know I'll never go hungry.


theaggressivenapkin

Toiliet


jackieinertia

Depending on the part it’s not bad, not good really either. Just kinda there.


Tammyshouseparty

Quite lovely lol


kenb99

My friend from Kazakhstan was visiting one time and we went through Joliet on our way somewhere. He legitimately thought the town was called “Joilet” (as in “Toilet” spelled with a J). I wouldn’t say it’s THAT bad, but not super great, either.


TheNinny

Not so bad, honestly. Its an area with a lot of potential for regrowth. There are lots of great spots to eat and small businesses, and I’m hoping that the downtown area can continue to get bigger and better. Slowly but surely theres been more and more stuff to do there.


TotalTeri

Not bad, very diverse, lots of new homes being built You don't even notice the jail, it's closed anyway but the state police is downtown


XenialShot

Shout out to El Huichol De Don Memo, fire seafood.


Hudson2441

Chicago urban sprawl is catching up with Aurora and Joliet.


[deleted]

West Side Joliet represent! Rep Da ET!


MilesTheGoodKing

Which side of the tracks we talking here? The more west of the tracks the better. The baseball stadium is as far east as you’ll want to go in Joliet.


Slight-Sympathy4066

I’m even farther east….as far as you can go…it’s basically New Lenox


Niznack

Best not go there. It is a silly place.


ScheduleFormer1394

Vampires live there.... Only Blade can stop them.... /s


TuneLinkette

I know on Thursdays the prison serves a wicked pepper steak


Real_Sartre

I used to work there, I worked at the scrap yard next to and across from the old Joliet prison. Although I liked the job and the people I wasn’t a fan of the city. Everything is mediocre.


Potatobobthecat

Lots of good discgolf. The Mexican food is not as good as Chicago or Aurora. I honestly don’t know where the tax money goes.


LettuceSome9935

downtown is boring as shit, it needs a redo. but overall an okay place to live. i will say, my family left around 5 years ago due to an uptick in gang violence in some areas.


Toriat5144

Depends on whether you are in the prison.


GrandpaTurtle

It's awesome if you like oil refineries and prisons.


Kell-EL

I like Joliet, been go karting there and used to stay with my grandma when she’d stay at Harras Casino so I’ve got good memories of the area but the water there is gross takes like it has a film on it or polluted after, uses to drink strictly bottled water when staying there


Nervous_Pattern357

i lived just south on the north east outskirts of Elwood, i had to go up there a lot and if you just mind your own business and be a considerate person everyone is pretty chill. like a lot of cities there’s a decent homeless population, i tried not to cave in and give them money but if they seem genuine enough i’d give them a couple bucks. there’s some parts that i wouldn’t want to go to and it’s pretty obvious when you’re there, but a lot of the time you can just scurry on by on west Jefferson and get to pretty much anywhere from there. also, don’t really gotta worry about getting pulled over, cops don’t really give a shit there/don’t wanna get shot or some shit. with that being said that means almost everyone goes over the speed limit since it’s so low. great food that’s another thing, there’s a lot of places to eat that are just great especially really good tacos and burritos.


yourinternetmobsux

Currently here and the water tastes like ass


pencylveser

I'm from Illinois quad cities and one time when we were traveling my daughter read the interstate sign for Joliet as Joilet... Like toilet. We both had a good laugh at that one. That's what it's been called ever since. No offense, it's perfectly okay E: turns out everybody does the same thing to disparage Joliet. I can assure you all our discovery of Joi-let came with no ill intent. 😂


okayola

About to run out of water for their citizens by 2030.


TheloniousMonk85

I love that all the disc golf people jumped in. I have been playing disc golf for 20 years and we used to always play West Park.


Kithsander

There’s a reason it’s accurate to say it like it rhymes with toilet.


omfg_its_so_and_so

It’s fine and it’s right next door to Plainfield, which is a nice little suburb.


Azenar01

It gets a lot of shit from how it used to be in the past. Born here and still live here 21 years it's good not bad or great. Lots of diversity, great food just about everywhere (taco truck, ta canijo, China house, Mr Sub, Rax, Sub Dock, Jerk Flavors, Home Cut, southern Cafe, fire water, Aces drive in, I could go on), lots of small businesses owned by local people, there's some good gyms, bars are pretty cheap, you could go gambling at Harris if you want to, there's some nice parks and trails, theres always some event going on wether its a a celebration at bicentennial or something happening downtown, or volunteering to make Joliet better or helping people less fortunate, it's easy to get to neighboring towns and honestly they kinda all blend into one Downtown could use some work and the worst part is the drivers, Joliet drivers are built different, don't ever get caught lacking cause there's always someone driving like a dumbass or just being an asshole


funandgames12

It’s ok. Not really good, not really bad. If you’re looking for a place to raise a family in Northern IL you could certainly do much better. If you’re younger and single it’s probably better.


mynextthroway

Gives me the Blues, Brother.


arrakismelange1987

Hot dogs are everywhere.


TrailRunner421

Joilet