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Most likely moving to Decatur, IL. Need city reviews. PLEASE!
Hi, current and past residents of Decatur, IL my husband will most likely be getting a job in Decatur, IL and I need reviews about the city?
What areas to stay away from?
What are the most family friendly and save areas to live?
I will be homeschooling, so I'm not concern about the public education system, just the family safety.
What bad and good things can you tell me about Decatur?
I'm a city girl. Growing up in the capital in Chile, lived in Sacramento, CA for 9 years and has lived in Anaheim, CA (Orange County) for 5 years so I do like a big city and I'm used to having somewhat to make sure to be safe when I'm out in about. However, I'm not at all opposed to moving to a smaller town or a small city. I think I would actually very much enjoy it. My husband grew up in a small city where he lived in a small country house so I'm not concern to much on the shock we will experience moving from Disneyland's back yard (quite literal) to a city like Decatur.
Any advice would be very much apretiated!
Outside of the shock of moving from Dislney land to the middle of cornfields, Decatur is about 1/4 the size of Oceanside, CA and not nearly as congested. Because Illinois is the #1 and #2 producer off field corn and soybeans you find thousands of acres of corn interrupted by small communities. Welcome to the Official City of Decatur Website
The good news is Decatur is home to Miliken University, Lake Decatur, and Scovill Zoo. Decatur is about forty miles from Springfield (State Capitol) with its Knight's Water Park and Henson Zoo, ISU at Normal, Bloomington Zoo, or Champaign, Illinois. It you want to go a little farther to Peoria you'll two zoological parks and even more historical ad educational things you can use in homeschooling credits. A couple of things that come to mind is the new NASA supported Planetarium, the Wheels O' Time Museum, and the wild animal park.
Collectively in these four areas you can find: 6 malls, more than a dozen smaller shopping centers, more than one dozen grocers, 400 restaurants, 14 hospitals, at least 100 churches, a plethora of state and city parks, the longest river in the state and perhaps the oldest city in the state. The proven history in Illinois thus far is 300,000 years. There is tons of things your kids can learn in one outing. Illinois foods are different from but very similar to SoCal -- which you will notice as you move through the different area of central Illinois. If you love Trader Joe's, Costco or Whole Foods you will need to go to St. Louis or Chicago. Except Costco is come to the Peoria area this fall. TJ's is very easy in and out in St. Louis: I-55 to 61/40 in Missouri. Central IL has its own version of Whole Foods in the Naturally Yours grocer in Normal and Peoria. You will also find seasonal markets on the roadsides and also a permanent market in Peoria in the Metro Center.
The only hospital that treats more children than Children's Hospital of Illinois - Peoria, is in Chicago. This hospital is a level 1 tertiary critical care unit for children 0-18 years of age, and it is the only hospital in the state that is affiliated with Easter Seals, Shriner Hospitals, and St. Judes Research Hospitals. The only Top 25 Ranked hospital in the Midwest close to Central Illinois is Barnes-Jewish in St. Louis.
I can't tell you where to live in Decatur. What I can tell you is that counties do not do a great job of clearing county roads of snow and ice in the winter. They do a somewhat better job on State, US and Interstate routes. If you are bring CA cars you should plan on undercoating each when you arrive.
The best time to rent or buy is now until Aug 1 as school starts mid-August.
Most people that are new to Decatur either move to Mt. Zion or Forsyth. However, since school districts aren't an issue for you, it will probably be cheaper to live in Decatur, being that housing is cheaper within the Decatur school district. The South Shores and Baker Woods areas of Decatur are very nice and family friendly. The far west side and far north side are also very nice. There are a ton of restaurants to choose from (and not just chains). There is probably not as much shopping in Decatur as a lot of people would like but between Springfield, Champaign, and Bloomington, you can find almost anything.
Parents who homeschool are not nearly as interested in shopping as they are an education. Although their children do work with age appropriate classroom material, the balance of the education is in the living classroom. If they choose to move, in this general area the opportunities for children to learn include a fish hatchery, Native American museum with interactive views, the opportunity to identify over 200,000 species of wildlife that visit annually, Lincoln and library/museum, and his history through his homes and circuit in Illinois as a young lawyer. The same can be said of President Reagan, his museum and the Reagan Trail. There is certainly a wide range of festivals, flora and fauna, history, architecture, museums, music, dance, arts, foods and more for kids to find and investigate. .
Most people that are new to Decatur either move to Mt. Zion or Forsyth. However, since school districts aren't an issue for you, it will probably be cheaper to live in Decatur, being that housing is cheaper within the Decatur school district. The South Shores and Baker Woods areas of Decatur are very nice and family friendly. The far west side and far north side are also very nice. There are a ton of restaurants to choose from (and not just chains). There is probably not as much shopping in Decatur as a lot of people would like but between Springfield, Champaign, and Bloomington, you can find almost anything.
Thanks! Just so I have an idea I know how to locate Forsyth and Mt Zion but the other areas you mention I have not been able to locate. What are the crossing streets and the exact locations so I know where to look?
Quote:
Originally Posted by linicx
Parents who homeschool are not nearly as interested in shopping as they are an education. Although their children do work with age appropriate classroom material, the balance of the education is in the living classroom. If they choose to move, in this general area the opportunities for children to learn include a fish hatchery, Native American museum with interactive views, the opportunity to identify over 200,000 species of wildlife that visit annually, Lincoln and library/museum, and his history through his homes and circuit in Illinois as a young lawyer. The same can be said of President Reagan, his museum and the Reagan Trail. There is certainly a wide range of festivals, flora and fauna, history, architecture, museums, music, dance, arts, foods and more for kids to find and investigate. .
Exactly, the shopping is not much of a concern as long as there is a Target and Walmart on town in good!
You are not as likely to find Target in Decatur as you are a Walmart. I cannot speak for the others. What I can tell you about Peoria is it much larger and offers more. if you look for mid-priced quality clothing, you find Target, Kohl's and Bergner's, plus boutique shops. If you bulk buy canned foods, coffee and spices you have Aldi, Sam's Club, and Pasqual's, the restaurant wholesale supplier that sells to the public M-F. A new Costco and a new Target is coming soon!
You will find Dixon's Fish Market that has been serving the Peoria area restaurants and public for over 100 years, 3-4 meat markets, a couple of Deli's, and an International grocer that sells Asian products. There is a dozen grocery stores including Hi Vee. Gordon's, Naturally Yours, Fresh Market, Aldi's, Super Value, and Kroger's (Ralph's in SoCal). You will also find CVS, Walgreen's, Medicine Shoppe, possibly a Rite Aid, and several other pharmacies. .
What I particularly like about Peoria is the things you buy the most are convent and centrally located. The furthest South grocer is not any more than 2 miles from the farthest North grocery store or i mile from the fathers west grocery stores. This is everything from toys and electronic to 6 grocers, clothing, computers, plus it is close to a dozen shopping centers.
It is possible to find: Bergner's, Old Navy, Hi Vee, Radio Shack, Krogers, Fannie May Candies (similar to See's Candies) computers/supplies/perpherals,) or bank in shopping centers across the street from each other. The mall (indoor) and outdoor mall (lifestyle center) are 2 miles apart, too. Between the malls are 3 shopping centers, Target, Pet's Mart, Kohl's, two booksellers, and several restaurants. You can shop all day and never driver much further than 3 blocks in any direction.
Wow....I would think that no one would want to live in Peoria area if their job is in Decatur....that would be a huge commute and not very feasible.
There is a Target in Decatur right behind Olive Garden in Mound Center. Not long ago I went to Decatur to shop at Von Maurs in Forsyth (Von Maurs is one of the best upscale department stores in downstate Illinois) and I also went to Target to shop.
There are so nice homes in Forsyth as well as Mt. Zion (and Mt Zion is close to the airport). But, I'm not impressed with most areas of Decatur.
Homeschool is a combination of course work and a living class room. I will repeat again I have no knowledge of what services, stores, etc., are offered in Decatur, Urbana-Champaign, Springfield or Normal-Bloomington. I can only speak for what Peoria can offer her children from the standpoint of educational opportunity not available in the afformentioned areas.
This is based on traveling to Decatur 3-4 times a year for the last 8 years on business.
1)Yes there is a Target
2) Yes there is a Starbuck's and Panera
3) Yes there is an odd oder around the Staley (or whatever it's called now) complex. Many locals call it the smell of money or smell of jobs. Not as bad as the odors from steel mills or paper mills though.
4) Yes there are some areas I wouldn't want to live in
5) MOst definitely there are areas I would find appealing and small towns just outside town that are appealing as well.
6) Can an argument that Peoria is nicer or Bloomington is nicer be made-Perhaps. Some would say Decatur has advantages. I seriously question the advantages warrant driving from these towns-really!
7) Those who see only negatives about Decatur, don't send enough time looking at the better parts of town, or think it should be as vibrant as a much larger town or have not seen a truly, thoroughly down and out town.
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Most likely moving to Decatur, IL. Need city reviews. PLEASE!
