Bloomington/Normal (Chicago: crime, neighborhoods, good schools)

[appledoony]

I am planning to move to the Bloomington/Normal area this summer and want to know if anyone out there has information they could share with me. I've lived in Chicago most of my life, the last 15 years in the south suburbs. I want to move to a quieter location, one that hopefully is a lot lower in crime while still having a good standard of living. I know that Normal is a college town, but wondering if this translates into a "party town". Anyone have information for me? Thanks.

[katiem2006]

i've lived in this general area my entire life...the last few years i've been spending more time in bloomington/normal because so many of my friends have been moving there...its not so much of a party town...the neighborhoods around ISU are ALL college kids and thats just a solid party but the only real difference is that the bars are open later than in the peoria area...as long as you don't move around ISU you'll love it.

[greenlee2]

Go to some of the other post about B-N. I grew in the Bloomington area but have lived in Chicago for quite awhile. The bottom line is that Bloomington is as affluent as Glenn Ellyn Illinois however lowre cost of living , practicallty no crime, good schools and vert clean, small-townish ways. I may move back in a few years if I don't move to the far west sububs up here near Chicago. B-N has always been considered "recession-proof" due to it's diverse economy of two universities, State Farm Corporate, Country Companies Corporate, Mitsubishi, farming and finance .B-N is conservative, no crime, thriving and clean. Yes, go for it.