Thinking about moving around the Springfield area (Chicago, Lincoln: how much, home)

[Amerika]

Im a simple city girl that went on a little vacation down to Springfield to go visit some friends and everywhere I went, I was welcomed and felt very comfortable. When I came back home to where I live now, everything that annoyed me and stressed me out BEFORE I left, came back to me for some odd reason. Im heading back down there in Sept and literally counting down the days until I go back (which is 44 more days.) Can anyone give me any pointers as to where I can check out places to live and work around there?

Thanks!

[AnonymousCoward]

I know a lot of people who have moved here and really liked it. I moved here from a larger city and for the most part I have found it to be just fine. It does have a relatively slow pace of life, which for the most part is nice, but it can be a little annoying when you are driving. Springfield is small, but still large enough to offer most things you would want, and close enough to St. Louis and Chicago for when you need a larger city.

As far as places to live, that depends on what you want. If the quality of the local public school system isn't a primary concern, I think actually living in Springfield makes a lot of sense. Otherwise, you might consider one of the close-in suburbs. Within Springfield, many parts of the west side (which tends to be more professional) and much of the north end (generally more working class) is generally good. There are some exceptions to that, and those aren't the only reasonable parts of town to live in. It all depends on what you want, and how much you want to spend.

Employment depends on what kind of work you do. The largest employers are listed on the city website:
Office of Planning & Economic Development :Employers

And yes, the state, is the largest employer, and their jobs are posted here:
Applying for Employment

Originally Posted by Amerika

Im a simple city girl that went on a little vacation down to Springfield to go visit some friends and everywhere I went, I was welcomed and felt very comfortable. When I came back home to where I live now, everything that annoyed me and stressed me out BEFORE I left, came back to me for some odd reason. Im heading back down there in Sept and literally counting down the days until I go back (which is 44 more days.) Can anyone give me any pointers as to where I can check out places to live and work around there?

Thanks!

[Amerika]

Thank you SO much for replying back at me! This is going to be HUGE for me and this is actually my first time moving into a place by myself. Im kinda scared, but then again, Im kinda excited. I have a few friends out there that are willing to help me out, so Im very greatful. As far as schooling goes, Im looking to get back into college and have been checking out U of I in Springfield and I was also told that there was a community college around there as well. As far as employment goes, I have a couple of friends that are willing to check to see if their places of employment are seeking help. As far as places to stay, I was told that I can get places for like 450-500 a month for a 2 bedroom which is A LOT cheaper than out here where I live now (which can run you up 1000 a month depending on where you want to live.)

[AnimalLover]

The community college is Lincoln Land. It's in the same general vicinity as UIS.