Wanting To Move From CA (Chicago, Peoria: apartment, condo, income)

[kandjgalvez]

Let me break it down for you.

I'm a young female trying to get a more extensive college education but already have 6 years of customer service, 1 year in management and 2 years supervisory work under my belt. I am currently studying to be a graphics designer. I have already done some professional advertising for local companies here in Ventura, CA.

I want to work, study and live in the same place though I wouldn't mind making a considerable drive from work to home if I can't live and work in the same city. I want to live in a climate that is normally cold (rain, snow, whatever). I want to live near water (lake, river, ocean, whatever). I love the mountains and nature but still need my clubs, downtown, shopping and fun!

I am engaged! My fiance wants to earn the main income and I want to work part time while I send myself to school. He has a 5 year old daughter and wants to have her live with us (on weekends, holidays and summer) so I am aiming to make payments (rent/lease to own) on a 3 bedroom house, but for the beginning I'm down for a three bedroom apartment.

My fiance wants to at least get some response from Illinois residents that came from California or locals that just want us to know something special about their state. We are interested in living in the better part of Chicago, Peoria, Champagne or Springfield and working in Chicago.

[Steve-o]

I can tell you right now that youre gonna wanna settle in the Chicagoland area, based on your criteria. Im not from CA, but have family who moved out here from Yorba Linda and they love it, but they stay in the western burbs. Seeing that you want to live near water, Lake Michigan is all you could want and more, with mile after mile of lakeshore that you can enjoy. Of course there are also many suburbs with access to lakes and rivers too, but seeing that you want clubs, downtown, shopping and fun, Chicago sounds like the best bet. If you want suburban help, let me know.

[aragx6]

Originally Posted by kandjgalvez

We are interested in living in the better part of Chicago, Peoria, Champagne or Springfield and working in Chicago.

Wait you're talking about living in Peoria or Champaign and working in Chicago? ???

Peoria is almost 3 hours from Chicago.

I would suggest living in the Chicago suburbs. Post your message on the Chicago Suburbs forum to get better suggestions as to specific places to look at.

[Paxtonian]

The best way you can pull off all these dreams is to live, work and study in Bloomington-Normal. Granted, for a lake you'll have to settle for the one at Miller Park.

[BUalumni]

If you want to live downstate, but work in Chicago, the only big city that I would consider would be Bloomington or Normal. Although I hear Lexington is a nice place too. Even then you are looking at an 1.5-2 hour commute just to begin fighting Chicago traffic.

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by kandjgalvez

We are interested in living in the better part of Chicago, Peoria, Champagne or Springfield and working in Chicago.

Sorry, but you're talking about 2 completely different regions of the state.

[Maintainschaos]

It is possible to live downstate (Bloomington, Springfield, Peoria or Champaign) and work on Chicago, but you'll need an apartment or a small condo or something in Chicago proper. I went to school with a kid whose parents kind of split it up: his father had a really good job in Springfield and his mother had a great job in Chicago. She ended up living there in the week and was home on the weekends and holidays in Springfield. And then she was transferred to Madison, WI and they still did the same thing, especially since the money stretched further in Springfield than it would've in Chicago. I mean, I'm certainly no advocate of this, but it is do-able, and you could even take the train. Your best bet is just to live in Chicago unless you get a really good job in central Illinois.

[cmp1111]

I grew up in the Champaign area, and I definitely would say that if you want to work in Chicago you need to be in the Chicago suburbs. Champaign is at least 2.5 hours from businesses in Chicago proper. My husband grew up in the suburbs - we met in college in Champaign - and he hated the lack of water there, as he'd grown up by the lake. To actually get to be near Lake Michigan you're going to have to go pretty much to either the city or the northern suburbs, which are amongst the most expensive.

Good luck.