Bello Reserve
$552,195
Average Value
From duplexes to Tuscan-inspired estates
Each street and circle in Bello Reserve is marked with stone signage one might usually find at the entrance to an entire community elsewhere. Drivers pass the New Traditional-style duplexes on Portofino Court right after entering from Guilford Road, each unit with their own front stoop and a two-car garage. Custom New Traditional homes and ranch-style homes with tall ceilings line "Villas of Tuscany," the second subsection on Tuscany Drive. Limited turnkey homes on this street sell for $450,000 to $600,000, though for most prospective buyers, snagging a limited spot in Bello will mean starting from scratch on available lots throughout the rest of the neighborhood which cost roughly $96,000 per acre. The neighborhood tour culminates in a loop of sprawling custom estates on Tivoli Drive and Tuscany Circle, many completed by Rockford-local contractors and builders like John Evans Construction and Vr2 Inc and priced upwards of $850,000. All parts of the community include homeowners association fees, though these pay for different things depending on the location of the home. “For the single-family homes and estates it’s just for the entry sign and common areas," says Frank Wehrstein, an agent with Dickerson & Nieman Realtors who has both sold and owned land in the community. “The duplexes have lawn maintenance taken care of, but the others are on their own.” All take pride in keeping their sun-washed acres in manicured condition, and any landscaping is kept tight against the frame of the home to provide as much lawn space as possible.
/
Stepping into history at Midway Village
Bello Reserve’s next-door neighbor is the Midway Village Museum, one of Rockford’s biggest claims to fame where Northern Illinois history comes to life. “It’s like you’re in the old settler days,” says Claire Linder, agent with Century 21 and longtime Rockford resident. “There are a couple times in the summer where you can bring the kids and make butter and a corn husk doll.” Rockford’s living museum is designed to meet Illinois State Standards for history curriculums in grades 5 through 12. Many residents have memories of attending the museum on field trips during Hands on History Days, where they can “meet” key players in these historic events.Afternoon walks on the Midway Village Museum Loop
Proximity to the museum also makes getting outdoors easy in Bello Reserve. “The biggest thing there for residents is a couple mile bike path,” Humpal says. “Everybody goes there to walk through this really nice public park.” The path begins at Keeling Trailhead Park, a playground for ages five through 12 that was revamped in 2022 and renamed in honor of Jim Keeling, a local hero for park access in Rockford. Walkers explore the Guilford County Forest Preserve, and can stop along the way to honor Winnebago County veterans at the LZ Peace Memorial. This trail connects to the Midway Village Museum Loop, a paved path circling the campus. To access the rest of Rockford’s park system, folks jump in the car and head farther downtown.Public and private schools for students in East Rockford
Bello Reserve kids are zoned for Brookview Elementary School, which scores a B-minus grade from Niche. From there, they can move up to Eisenhower Middle School—which gets a C grade—before graduating from Guilford High School, which gets a B. Besides its co-ed sports teams, the Guilford Viking identity shows itself in the school newspaper, Voyager, and the yearbook, Valhalla. Along with the three other traditional high schools in Rockford Public School District 205, Guilford offers The Academies of Rockford program: an opportunity for students to select a career-oriented pathway through their four years. Offerings include health, business, and “production,” which branches out into areas like engineering, skilled trades and transportation technology. The neighborhood is also on the same side of town as Rockford Lutheran School and Christian Life Schools, two private, tuition-based options that teach prekindergarten through 12th grade and receive A-minus and B grades from Niche, respectively.
/
Grocery stores and eateries along Spring Creek Road and East State Street
Save for day trips or evenings downtown, residents rarely need to travel far from Bello Reserve for a bite to eat. Live piano is the finishing touch of class at Franchesco’s Ristorante, just one of several high-end options along Spring Creek Road. Salt and JMK Nippons join the ranks here. Meanwhile, retailers like Target, Home Depot and chain eateries like Portillo’s line busy East State Street and the intersection with Perryville Road.
/
The morning commute from Bello Reserve
Bello Reserve is 4 miles from the exit onto Interstate 90, which travels all the way north to Wisconsin or southeast to Chicago. “Most residents work right in Rockford at one of the hospitals, engineering centers or with other professions," Humpal says. "If we ever get a train, I’m sure that will explode, but it’s not as common as of right now.” Bello Reserve is within eyeshot of the orthodontics, oral surgery and dermatology offices along Featherstone Road, and about 7 miles from many downtown offices via Spring Creek Road. The neighborhood is also just 2.5 miles from the Rockford University campus and 1.5 from the emergency department at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center. Chicago Rockford International Airport is about 12 miles southwest of the community.
Written By
Emma Downes
Photography Contributed By
Corey West
Video By
Scott Wiggins
Was this overview helpful?
Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Frank Wehrstein
Frank Wehrstein
DICKERSON & NIEMAN
(779) 256-5326
120 Total Sales
7 in Bello Reserve
$15K - $650K Price Range
-
Dianne Parvin
Dianne Parvin
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck RE
(779) 210-6058
329 Total Sales
6 in Bello Reserve
$50K - $678K Price Range
-
Gabriela Johnson
Gabriela Johnson
DICKERSON & NIEMAN
(747) 271-5302
131 Total Sales
5 in Bello Reserve
$510K - $700K Price Range
-
Tom Humpal
Tom Humpal
Re/Max Property Source
(779) 210-6026
79 Total Sales
3 in Bello Reserve
$33K - $35K Price Range
-
Heather Long
Heather Long
Key Realty, Inc
(815) 446-3162
71 Total Sales
2 in Bello Reserve
$39K - $48K Price Range
-
Julie Wilson
Julie Wilson
DICKERSON & NIEMAN
(779) 256-5785
114 Total Sales
2 in Bello Reserve
$745K - $749K Price Range
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- K to 5th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Aldeen Golf Club
Guilford County Forest Preserve
Keeling Trailhead Park
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Bello Reserve | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 4 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 4 | 4 |
| Robbery | 3 | 4 |
| Burglary | 5 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 6 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
37
Median Year Built
2023
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
3,017
Significantly above the national average
1,924
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
20,691
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
343
Median Age
37
Population Density
4 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$84,239
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$106,742
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
91.1%
College Graduates
43.1%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
16.1%
% Population in Labor Force
60.2%
On par with the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
15°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
34''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
45
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
14
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Arnold
Homes on large lots close to highways, retail and a casino
Alpine Ridge
Living between a park and Rockford's major thoroughfare
Palmwood
Minutes from downtown Rockford, Palmwood residents are close to many attractions
Belle Meade
A neighborhood southeast of downtown Rockford surrounded by large parks
Five Points
A Southeast Rockford neighborhood with a historic commercial heart
Birch Avenue-White Oak
A community built into its natural surroundings in East Rockford
Reviews
Are you familiar with the Bello Reserve neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Was this page helpful?
