DeKalb

I went to Northern Illinois University here. Like all places, this city is what you make of it. There isn’t a lot going on compared to nearby Chicago, so it is the people who make it what it is.

That being said, DeKalb has its own nightlife and its own local music scene, that sort of thing. There just isn’t a lot more than the college going for it.

When in DeKalb, eat at the Junction.

everything needed in a college town. a large university that has all the attractions including division I athletics and happening business, arts, liberal arts, and teaching schools. all the bars, a ton of college housing and apartments, and so forth. the town is very spread out, which means a drive to the wal-mart or best buy takes a good 15 minutes. it has all the retail and restaurants one would expect out of the suburbs which is a nice comfort for students and residents alike. a great place to live too. however, the downtown isn’t very happenin’ and the job base isn’t so hot. it’s only a 45 minute drive to Naperville though. also, hope you like freight trains, cause they go through here every 5 minutes.

this town will always have a special place in my heart

I grew up in the cornfields surrounding DeKalb – its a decent little town and one semester at NIU was all I needed for proof that its also a great college town :)

I will miss lunch and coffee at The House, and I need to stock up on Ollie’s Custard next time I’m there

Not much to say. Encroaching development all around. Farm land disappearing. The university is the best thing about the town right now. Other than that it is quite conservative, with pockets of radicalism here and there.

There is nothing here…some houses, a few restaurants on the edge of town, and the university…nothing else!

20 years in DeKalb. Came here in ‘85 to attend NIU, graduated in ‘89 and forgot to leave!

I just moved here from Chicago, and while it is not quite as exciting, it has its moments. The Farmer’s Market is excellent, Otto’s is pretty fun, and they have the coolest little stores ever, like Moxie and Cracker Jax.

I am currently living here for college. It is a pretty nice place to live if you are a college student attending NIU but I do not think you would get much out of it if you were just a regular resident.