Pulling into secluded, yet convenient Bello Reserve
Bello Reserve residents have no trouble spotting the turn into their neighborhood on Guilford Road. “It's the only subdivision of its kind in Rockford with an entryway that has that elegant, Tuscan feel with cement walls decorated with Italian finishes,” says Julie Humpal, manager at Re/Max Property Source who has both sold and owned lots in Bello Reserve. “We usually don’t have that here in Rockford and some neighborhoods don’t even have names, so it’s very unusual.” The community has duplexes and elegant custom homes that overlook a popular forest preserve to the east and a business park to the west. Long stretches of space between each home and street add to the air of seclusion from the rest of Rockford—but with major commercial thoroughfares running a short drive north and south and one of Rockford’s most famous attractions less than a mile away, this community is surprisingly convenient to day-to-day needs and special events.
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.
Stone and brick two story homes offer luxury in Bello Reserve.
Rows of homes in Bello Reserve are neatly laid out and offer beautiful landscaping.
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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.
Eisenhower Middle School is apart of the district 205 in Bello Reserve.
Christian Life Schools has a 4/5 school review on Niche near Bello Reserve.
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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.
Valli Produce in Bello Reserve offers a deli, bakery, and more to residents.
Valli Produce in Bello Reserve is a new grocer that the residents are really coming to love.
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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.
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Discover the perfect opportunity to create your dream home in the exclusive Bello Reserve subdivision, surrounded by stunning custom executive homes. This beautiful .33-acre lot offers ample space to design a truly unique residence tailored to your lifestyle. Enjoy the convenience of city water and sewer already available on-site. Don’t miss your chance to live in one of the area’s most desirable
Discover the perfect opportunity to create your dream home in the exclusive Bello Reserve subdivision, surrounded by stunning custom executive homes. This beautiful .33-acre lot offers ample space to design a truly unique residence tailored to your lifestyle. Enjoy the convenience of city water and sewer already available on-site. Don’t miss your chance to live in one of the area’s most desirable
LOOKING FOR A HOME THAT HAS ALL LARGE ROOMS?? Impressive 2 story Property with 3 car garage in Bello Reserve. Brick front home with stone accents. Main floor master bedroom with walk-in closets, private bath with separate shower and whirlpool tub. Formal dining room, large living room with gas fireplace, 11 ft. ceiling with library beams. Kitchen features center island, maple cabinets, eat-in
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
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.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
