Trouble finding rental homes in Peoria Area (Bloomington, Pekin: apartment, city hall)

[thatgirl2478]

My husband and I (and our 5 critters) are relocating to the Peoria area in a month / month and a half. Other than craigslist, I haven't been able to find much in the way of rental info online.

Does anyone have any good suggestions for finding rental leads?

I do know that I don't want to live in an apartment (been there done that) or anywhere near the Bradley rental area (been there done that too). Where we end up has to be safe, reasonably priced (cheaper = better obv) and allow the 5 critters (2 dogs, 3 cats).

Realtor.com and zillow have been ZERO help in gathering info.

[linicx]

I believe you will have a problem with 5 animals in the City of Peoria because it is not allowed - city animal ordinance, and there are leash laws for cats, too. You will need to broaden your search area. I don't think most landlords will take 5 animals even with references from a vet and past landlords. You will have better luck with animals in a rural area, but it will be much harder to find a house rental unit now because it is winter and because it is in the middle of the school year. But nothing is impossible if you are willing to drive farther to work and shop.

Here are some areas to look: Lacon, Mossville, Eureka, Washington, Morton, Pekin, Farmington, Brimfield, Canton, Manito, Dunlap, Goodfield, Beverly Manor, Spring Bay, Marquette Heights, South Pekin, City of West Peoria. If you want to go out farther look in Lewistown, Astoria, Oakford, Kilbourn, Forest City, Lincoln, San Jose, Macomb, Wyoming and Galesburg.

Monge, and also Jim Maloof -- realtors handle some rentals around the Peoria area.

Peoria journal Star, Pekin Daily Times, Canton Daily Ledger, Bloomington Pantagraph are the four daily papers in the area - and they are online. Everything else is a weekly or bi-weekly paper with names I am not familiar with. Every town has a city hall and most city hall employees know who the local realtors are.

In the end I think you will find the better bargain is in buying in the county than renting. County taxes are lower, too.

[thatgirl2478]

linicx - we'd love to buy in the country - unfortunately we have to sell the current house before we can buy.

We're above the city limit where we live too - no one cares much about the cats provided they aren't becoming a nuisance for other citizens. Since ours are strictly indoors, we've never had a problem.

Thanks for the other ideas on where to look.

[mdand3boys]

There are a number of local realty agencies that manage rental homes.
Maloof, Traders, Jim Barnett..

Also, Peorians tend to not post a lot of rental properties on craigslist. (too many scammers anyway)

Try the local newspaper, pjstar.com
Also, try tradinpost.com

I used to live in the Peoria area - grew up there.

[thatgirl2478]

Thanks mdand3boys, looking into Maloof right now. Will check out the others tonight.

I spent 4 years in Peoria as a student - didn't really pay much attention to the area as I figured I wouldn't be back (not that it was bad, just figured I'd leave after 4 years). Didn't realize until I had my own family how important it is to be near family!