Galena : Illinois

What Galena is like for active adults

Galena, one of the most beautiful towns in Illinois, is a small community of 3,333 popular with retirees and vacationers. It is located in northwestern Illinois near the Mississippi River and the Wisconsin and Iowa borders. The town is named for galena, an ore of lead, lead sulfide. Galena is in Jo Daviess County. Many beautiful homes and buildings in the French Colonial and Victorian styles of architecture were created during its early economic prominence due to steamboats and lead mining. Today it is a popular tourist destination, hosting over one million visitors each year. An amazing 85% of the structures in Galena are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a significant source of the city's charm and popularity. Main Street in downtown Galena has a large number of specialty shops, bed and breakfasts, galleries, and restaurants.

Many weekenders from Chicago keep second homes in the area. Galena Ridge is one of the most prestigious neighborhoods. The Galena Territory is a private 6,800 acre development located several miles southeast of downtown Galena. It features low-density residential development and the Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, with 63 holes of championship golf. Those seeking a retirement community here have the opportunity to live in an active adult community or in the historic town. According to Trulia average home listing prices in May, 2009 were in the high $100's to low $200's. Prices will vary by neighborhood.

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What is special about this retirement community

• The Old Market House State Historic Site • Saint Michael's Church was founded by the pioneer priest Father Samuel Mazzuchelli Apple Festival • The Desoto House Hotel - oldest operating hotel in Illinois (1855). • Resorts and golf courses - the Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa and the Chestnut Mountain Ski Resort • Home of Ulysses S. Grant • First Fridays showcasing local art (Galena Artists Guild

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What is not special about this retirement community

• It’s cold in the winter • It is a small town often crowded by tourists

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What kinds of people like retiring here

Galena draws in retirees who are interested in living in a small and historic town. It also attracts many artists.

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Local economy is driven by

Tourism and high technology. The town is wi-fi enabled.

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Climate and Physical Environment

Galena is located in the Driftless Zone: an area that was not covered by glaciers during the recent ice ages. This area in the far northwestern corner of Illinois is a rare part of the state that escaped glaciation. The area is noted for expanses of bare rock, as opposed to the deep soils in most of the rest of the state.

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Cultural environment

Galena has more than a dozen museums and historic sites. Some of these include The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, the Chicago Great Western Railway Depot Museum, and the Galena History Museum. There are art schools, sculpture parks, nightly entertainment and performing art groups, Galena's art galleries are an important source of local culture. Theatre groups include the Galena Trolley Depot Theatre, Main Street Players Theatre Co. The Diamond Jo Casino is in nearby Dubuque (IA).

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Medical facilities

The Galena-Stauss Hospital & Healthcare Center (GSHHC) is a 25-bed critical access hospital with a 57-bed skilled nursing facility, a 24-apartment assisted living center, an adult day care center, and a physical therapy and fitness center. The Galena-Stauss Nursing Care Facility is a 57-bed, long-term skilled nursing home. There is an assisted- living facility with 12 apartments and adult daycare

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Transportation

There are two airports: the Dubuque Regional Airport services commercial airline traffic; Rockford's Northwest Chicagoland Regional Airport provides service to domestic locations

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Facts about GALENA

State: IL
Environment: Small Town,
City Population: Less than 10,000
Median age of Population: 45-64
Avg Jan Temperature: 0 -20
Median HH Income: 41,001-60,000
Average Home Price (MLS): $100,000-$200,000
Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house: 4001-6000
Total Crime Index: 81-90 (low)
Cost of Living Index: 91-100 (slightly below average)
Culture Index: 101-110 (slightly above average)
State Sales Tax: Yes
State Income Tax: Yes
Name of the Guide: 60ish

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