Illinois

Some things about Illinois:

1. There are toll roads.  Lots of toll roads.  I think it cost us 4 or 5 tolls to get here from MI.  Tolls, tolls, everywhere!
2. There is a fee to register your child for school.  On top of the lengthy supply list (even for Kindergarteners).  On top of the tuition you must pay for full-day Kindergarten.  We have opted for half-day, because $230/month for school isn't in the budget right now.  This is a bit disappointing, as half day is only 2.5 hours long.  Sigh.
3. You have to pay to have your trash taken away.  Recycling is free.  Trash is not.  You buy trash bags and/or trash bag tags at the grocery store.  I like this in theory, but I miss having an outdoor garbage can to put stinky trash in.  
4. The cost of housing is quite high.  Basically, it's not cheap to live here.  Illinois is broke and wants my money.  Unfortunately, I am also broke, and am ticked about giving it to them.  Not a happy relationship so far between me and the Prairie State.
5. There are a LOT more stores and restaurants here.  A. LOT.  We have everything you could ever want.  But see above about lack of funds.  So someday, we'll get to eat at some fantastic restaurants. 
6. Having more stores also means having more discount grocery stores.  I haven't purchased a gallon of milk for under $2 in years, YEARS I say!  I could get used to that.
7. We found a lovely walking trail/bike path right by our house that takes us around a pond and ends up at a playground.  This is everything our family could ever want.  Score.
8. The ward has seen HUGE growth in numbers the past 6 months or so.  Lots of people moving in.  In fact, there was another family that moved here the same day as us, just up the road, and we have mutual friends.  So that's promising.

All in all, I think we're going to like it here.  We'll have to spend more money, but I'm trying to look at it like a challenge to find all the free/discount things to do around here.  Like a game to see who comes out on top, me or the state.  I'm a determined cheapskate, so watch out, Illinois, I WILL beat you at this game!