Born and raised here. With a population of 112K, Peoria is a mid-size city. Rent is about $951/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 4.9%, which is about average. Average temperature is around 55--F, so expect cold winters. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
49 upvotes
7 Replies
Nevaeh Morgan
+1
38 upvotes
Caleb Johnson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Seattle about 2 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong job market in several industries
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Nevaeh B.
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
23 upvotes
Miles Roberts
wish I knew this sooner
22 upvotes
Nova
underrated comment
9 upvotes
Nicole S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 5 years. Moved from Atlanta for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are pretty good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Dating scene is rough. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Paisley Lewis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Indian.
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