Newman IL (Chicago, Decatur, Champaign: apartment, rent, home)

[Decatur123]

Looking for information about Newman IL. How big is it?
Points of interest? Type of work that might be availiable in area?

[gypsyjena]

I knew a lady who lived in Newman. She worked in Champaign...a pretty long commute by Illinois standards. There is not much in Newman.

[Chinolala]

Newman is really small and the job market there is really bad. Not many jobs there other than retail and food service. Any good jobs would be in Champaign which is pretty far. There is no recreation to speak of in Newman. It's a very quiet town, that is rather depressed. This is why you can rent an apartment there for $350 a month - even furnished. I'm curious on how you fell upon Newman?? I've been there and it's BORING.

[sonicreducer]

Newman has a nursing home, and that's about all that I can remember. My aunt was a resident there for many years, and my girl scout troop used to sing Christmas carols there. I'm originally from about 10-15 miles from there (the next school district over, actually), and we rarely had reason to go there. They used to have a pizza place called Pizza Man, but I think that closed years ago. Newman used to have an elemetary/jr. high/high school school, but they fell on hard times like most tiny rural districts, and they had to consolidate with the nearby Shiloh school district. So all the kids get bussed about 10-15 miles or so.

There really is no reason to move there that I could think of. I can't imagine that there are many jobs there. It's the kind of town that people either escape from when they're 18, or they end up there for the rest of their lives. In my experience, most little farm towns in central Illinois cultivate a depressing kind of fatalism: "I hate my life but can't change it" type attitude. I suppose you get that all over the country, but it just seems really pervasive there. Commuting to Champaign-Urbana for work (or even for pleasure) from Newman is difficult--all 2 lane roads. You could possibly get a job in Tuscola, which is a little closer (to the west). Villa Grove is also nearby, but it is also pretty small. They at least have a movie theater, although my friend tells me they use a large square trampoline as a movie screen!

[sonicreducer]

Oh yeah, forgot to mention the population. It was listed as 956 in the 2000 Census, but that sounds really high. I've heard they're losing people. I was shocked to see that they had a murder and rape in 2004. Most of the towns around there are virtually crime-free, although there is a bit of a meth issue coming into play now, and thefts have risen. Here's a positive thing for Newman--they have a bank and a town library, which is better than some of the other nearby towns! They also used to have a small grocery store, but I can't confirm it's existence today...

Also forgot to mention that Paris, IL and Charleston, IL are about 25 miles or so away, which are other "commutable" destinations for work, which would have some other job options. What kind of work would you be looking for? Charleston is home to Eastern Illinois University, so that is a good place to look for jobs. They employ lots of support staff in addition to those who teach (same can be said for Champaign-Urbana, home of University of Illinois). Paris is the county seat of Edgar County, but is mostly a blue collar town. They have a auto part plant (ZF Boge-they make rubber molded parts) that is going to be growing a lot over the next year or two. They're consolidating that plant with one from Kentucky, and apparently the folks from KY don't want to move to Paris. So there will be some manufacturing/tech/tool and die type jobs opening soon, I think.
Good luck on the search!

[Chinolala]

[quote=sonicreducer;1545420]Oh yeah, forgot to mention the population. It was listed as 956 in the 2000 Census, but that sounds really high. I've heard they're losing people. I was shocked to see that they had a murder and rape in 2004. Most of the towns around there are virtually crime-free, although there is a bit of a meth issue coming into play now, and thefts have risen. Here's a positive thing for Newman--they have a bank and a town library, which is better than some of the other nearby towns! They also used to have a small grocery store, but I can't confirm it's existence today...


I heard that meth labs are starting to pop up all over in and around Newman. According to the State's law enforcement, I57 is the state's main pipeline of meth transport into Chicago. Also, a relative of mine owns a property in Newman and told me that the population for 2006 was 1100 people. When she goes to Newman, she said she goes into Tuscola to do her grocery shopping so there must not be a grocery store in Newman.

[irish setter girl]

DH's grandfather was from Newman. There is not much there from what I remember. The local grocery closed many years ago. I also heard about the drug labs going on in central IL but I'm surprised Newman is in that group. I know Decatur has a big drug problem. My FIL's office was across the street from the main crack house. Lovely atmosphere!

[asstchiefme]

My Grandparents were from Newman, lived on Yates St., My Aunt lived on N.King St. Visited her and Cousins in 2003, and then visited again in 2005. Newman is a quiet little town, with a relaxing atmosphere. My one desire years ago was to reside in Newman. My Aunts dear friend lives on Green St. and I talk to her every week. A very nice lady. My plans are to visit with them again this summer.

[asstchiefme]

Have just talked to my friend in Newman, Irma weather is cloudy and possible snow on the way. Am anxious to see her and relatives this summer in Newman. Need to find an address for the Newman Indepandant to get subscription to the paper. I wounder if anyone has it.

[asstchiefme]

Talked to my dear friend on Green St. and our friend WB is not well. I hope things will be on the upswing for him. Irma sounded good and will talk to her shortly.