Lifestyle in Springfield, IL (Chicago, Peoria: rental, university, pharmacies)

[PHSC]

Applied for a job in Springfield, IL. What are opportunities related to:

1) pet-friendly rental housing
2) pet-friendly social activities, recreation
3) dog sports - obedience training and competition
4) non-denominational churches
5) safety for a single gal

[linicx]

It is the state capital. It is political, solidly Democrat, a bit staid, but you should find everything you want. If you are from the south the winters are cold and wet, te summers are hot and steamy. Springfiled is 100 miles from St. Louis, 200 miles from Chicago, and it is surrounded by acres of corn, beans and cows. But you can grab Amtrak and go to either for a ballgame or a weekend. It is located on I-55.

Betweeen Chicago and St. Lewis there are c large pockets of population. Champaign-Urbana is the flagship University of Illinois. Bloominton - Normal, Peoria, Quincy, Decatur and the Quad Cities follow. It is all within a 100 miles in any direction- except the Quad Cities. You can find Trader Joe's, Apple, Whole Foods in Chicago and St.Louis. Costco, I believe, is only in Chicago.

Illinois is the 6th most populated state. The economy is as bad as California. If you have a job, Wecome Home,. if you do not, IL is not a great place to look unless you are highly skilled.

There are many interesting events within the state from tbe State Fair to oneof the largest night time Chrismas parades in America. Illnois is peninsula state. You will drive 50-200 miles to reach a body of water of any size. But if you like to fish, hunt, bird or boat there is plenty of opportunity nearby. By and large, IL has a great park system and good medical care. You should be able to find both Walgreen's and CVS -national pharmacies. We have most of the national chains and restaurants located in one of our cities outside of Chicago and St. Louis. And well-known NC grocer is opening a new store in Peoria.