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Oliver moving

Relocating to Peoria, IL -pros and cons?

Hello, I work in legal and Homes are going for about $149,500 on average. The unemployment rate is 4.9%, which is about average. Poverty rate is 13.6%, which is around average. You can expect to pay around $951 for rent here. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Any advice would be great. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
28 upvotes

19 Replies

Grayson Allen
facts
30 upvotes
Ezra Robinson
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are established. You get used to it after the first year.
30 upvotes
Valentina Richardson
big facts right here
28 upvotes
Nova Torres
good to know, thanks
28 upvotes
Aaron Turner
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Portland it's challenging.
26 upvotes
Aubrey Hernandez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
26 upvotes
Evan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a software engineer, 41, moved here 13 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Highland and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Affordable housing options
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The community vibe situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for couples. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from San Francisco, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K here.

**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
24 upvotes
Emmett E.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely underrated and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (North) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.

My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
21 upvotes
Lori G.
As someone who grew up here, it exceeded my expectations. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much reasonable but now it's underrated.
21 upvotes
Avery Morris
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Nashville about 1 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and retirement.

Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Affordable housing options
- Good airport with direct flights

Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Dating scene is rough

Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is tough.

Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Aaron Brown
wish I knew this sooner
14 upvotes
Julian Jackson
I've lived in The Heights for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
- The food scene scene is improving

The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Chain restaurants dominate

Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for young professionals. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
Santiago Morris
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much competitive but now it's excellent.
7 upvotes
Sadie Ross
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
6 upvotes
Josiah Cooper
Saving this thread
5 upvotes
Bennett Wilson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Cedar Grove for 1 years. Moved from San Francisco for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.

**Employment:**
education is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are excellent. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Limited entertainment options. And safety can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
lake_riley16
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Midtown for 9 years. Moved from Boston for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.

**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Midtown schools are decent. 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. Winters are long and cold. Far from beaches/mountains. And cultural scene can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
4 upvotes
Emma
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in East for 5 years. Moved from Boston for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.

**Employment:**
construction is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are surprisingly 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Limited entertainment options. And dating scene can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Emilia M.
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in The Heights area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
1 upvotes
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