Choice between Peoria or Bloomington/Normal area? (Chicago, Springfield: limo, transfer to)

[Zoness]

Originally Posted by Doglover5

I don't have any skin in the game here but am curious why two of the prior posters insist Bloomington over Peoria so emphatically.... any particular reasons?

Generally, its a kneejerk reaction to a lot of the crime problems that Peoria has, and those claims aren't unfounded. Though, its not like its a collapsing, blighted city. There are plenty of safe areas and nearly everywhere is safe in the daytime. Well, kind of. Haha.

[linicx]

It also depends upon where you are in the city. People forget exactly how big Peoria is. It begins at the Bartonville border extends NE to Peoria Heights border, and North from the river several miles. Most of the crime is in isolated areas and between gangs -- where most have no reason to go. And the biggest percentage of the nonsense is at night.

Zoness is right about one thing it is knee-jerk reaction from people who have never lived in Peoria, or from people who have not lived there for several years. They do not know the history of the city. Many of the areas that were a problem are now parks or large public buildings like the medical school, and two sports arenas, or new motels.

I don't care what city you live in, and even if your think it's is immune to crime, it isn't.

Originally Posted by Zoness

Generally, its a kneejerk reaction to a lot of the crime problems that Peoria has, and those claims aren't unfounded. Though, its not like its a collapsing, blighted city. There are plenty of safe areas and nearly everywhere is safe in the daytime. Well, kind of. Haha.

[hugepossum]

Originally Posted by linicx

As far as I can tell because one has a sister who lives in B-N, and other drove thru it. Go read the Moving to Quad City thread, and then look at the posting history before you hit the ignore button. Neither has lived in Peoria or spent enough time in Peoria to make a statement. It's like saying I hate Arlington Heights because I picked the wrong horse. And I am not sure one of our pet pests didn't slip past the fly swatter. I can check on that.

Yes, you are right. We should have written a two page discourse like you did.

From my experiences of the two cities, which admittedly are not as robust as your own, I would choose to move to Bloomington/Normal. That is the question that the OP asked. Just because I haven't lived for years in each location doesn't mean that my opinion doesn't count; the OP will simply take it for what it is worth. We do not need you to tell us how useful or un-useful our comments are.

Now, my opinion is thus: I have been to both Peoria and Bloomington/Normal several times to visit and I would choose to live in Bloomington/Normal mostly because of superficial attributes such as the the overall look and feel of the location. Peoria feels a bit old, dirty, industrial, while Bloomington feels more like a nice big suburb.

That is all.

[linicx]

If you know Peoria, you know where the industrial was.. A good chunk of it was cleaned up. razed or modernized. There is more to Peoria, a STEM and research city, than small industry which is still on the far south side.

Do you remember where Sears was on Washington? The entire block is a new museum that will open this weekend. The Zeiss planetarium will display 10,000 more stars, The Smithsonian is bringing in its first rotating museum pieces, the new IMax type3D theater will be open. The new CAT Visitor Center/Museum will be open too. You might like the small theater they built in a mining truck, or the simulators. You too can operate a dozer. The river front has changed greatly in the last few years, and the Pere is getting a renovation and a skywalk. If you are a golfer the Maui Jim Invitational is quite the event. Are you curious? Go sleep with the wolves; it's educational.

As far as B-N is concerned I'd take Normal. It has vibrant less staid vibe as well as new train depot and new hotel. Between the Red Bird Shuttle and Bloomington Bus you don't need a car too often.

[steve_holt]

I lived in B/N for 30 years and have been to Peoria over 100 times. Hopefully, I am qualified to respond to this question, but I've never lived in Peoria which appears to be a requirement to have an opinion.

Peoria has much more natural beauty with its hills, and a bit more soul (since more people are natives and there are less transplants) in the city. But part of the reason it has so many natives is because there aren't many jobs drawing people into the city. I always enjoy driving into Peoria from the east.

But the city of Peoria itself is much, much dirtier and industrial and crime is much more pervasive. The presence of State Farm and ISU makes Bloomington more educated and white collar. Peoria has as much of a white collar population, but the culture there is dominate by baser interests. B/N has crime, but it isn't as extreme a problem as it is in Peoria. Also, while Bloomington is conservative, it doesn't have the open racism that is well known in parts of Tazwell county.

I'm probably being too harsh on Peoria here. Growing up, I used to go to Peoria often because there was a lot there that Bloomington didn't have (shopping, sports). But as B/N grew, there was little that Peoria offered that wasn't in Bloomington (other than the casino and strip clubs), so I never went there.

More recently, EP has been able to attract a Bass Pro Shop and CostCo, so if those may figure into your interests. Also, the medical community in metro Peoria is far superior to that in Bloomington. So if you require specialized medical care, you'll have better options in Peoria.

But otherwise, for education, cleanliness, safety, community, education, transportation, I believe B/N >>> Peoria.

[linicx]

Bloomington had a little dustup at party over the weekend and four were shot. So let's not talk about crime.

We are comparing STEM and research city to landlocked cities. No one denies ISU or insurance companies aren't big business. Farming is still big business to B-N banks. Caterpillar, transportation and research in Peoria is just as important to Peoria.

EP was chosen for the new Costco store for a specific reason - which is not common knowledge. It is the correct choice and a good one. Costco and Bass Pro both require acres of parking. All most every public IL high school is on the State's Watch List for poor performance and a few junior high. B-N has the same school problems as does Peoria.

Peoria does offer many things that B-N does not. In fact a few Peoria businesses have expanded into Normal in the last few years. It's good for both cities. Peoria does attract business large and small. A grocer from North Carolina came to Peoria as did a hardware supplier from the Uplands. So did a new small bakery and indy theater the kids from ISU attend.

They are simply different communities that appeal to different persons. If you are in your twenties, single, and female B-N is one of the top cities for you. If you are older, or married, it may not be the best choice.

I did live in both and I still prefer Normal. And I did visit far more than 100 times. B-N has employees in Peoria as does Peoria in B-N.

[jillr527]

I've lived in both places. I left my birthplace of Peoria in 2004, lived in Bloomington 2004-2011, and moved to Normal in 2011. I would choose Bloomington-Normal over Peoria any day. We have a great park system with excellent parks and rec programs as well as considerable clean, green space. We have an excellent educational system paid for with our tax dollars, (84% McLean Unit 5 students perform at or above grade level, while only 62% Peoria District 150 students do so). I know a previous poster said let's not talk crime, but I think there is a valid argument that Bloomington-Normal is safer. Our crime index is a 23, while Peoria earns an 8. We also have an easier and more direct route to Chicago and Saint Louis for entertainment and shopping. Appreciation rates of our property values also show that Normal, IL is a better investment (Normal, IL total appreciation is up 176.39% since 1990 and Peoria, IL is up 138.42% over the same time period.)

Where you live is a largely emotional issue, and each individual will have their view of the pros and cons. I think all you can do is visit both places and see which you like better for you.

[Zoness]

Personally, if I had an offer in BN I'd take it over Peoria. However, I don't particularly despise Peoria. I do wish it would feel less like a worn out industrial town, though. And crime IS bad depending on your area (my area is super bad) but the whole thing isn't bad.

[linicx]

Zoness, why don't you transfer? Take your next semester where you will be happy. Illinois is not for everyone. Bite the bullet and get out while you can.

[Zoness]

Well I only have one semester left of school so I might as well stay where I am. I also have a job offer which may be the easy, secure way out. I can't really decide for a few more months. As with my criticism of Peoria, there are still MUCH worse places I could be. I don't hate it but it certainly isn't my life goal to stay here, BN would be more of a band-aid fix but since I will likely be priced out of PNW before I even get there I should be considering elsewhere.