Tell me about Lincoln, Illinois (Chicago, Springfield: relocate, budget, houses)

[kmwheel]

I have tried to search for information about this city, but try typing Lincoln into a forum about Illinois and see how much luck you have. I am interested in moving there. I want to know specifically about the school systems (seems like there are more than just one for elementary?) and what the general atmosphere is. It seems like there are a few colleges in Lincoln?

I would love to hear from anyone who lives there or has family there. Also, any information about the outlying communities in that general area (Middletown, Broadwell, New Holland) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a lot!

[irish setter girl]

My husband has family who lives there and they really like it. They have children who have attended the public schools since grade school and are now in high school. I've only visited there and it appears to be a nice, simple, central Il town. There is not a lot going on there or around it but you can get to larger cities in a reasonable amount of time. The first thing that comes to my mind is the cartoon Dinette Set, which is my favorite. I believe the author of that cartoon is from Lincoln and she pretty much sums up central IL in her craft! Always makes me smile! I can find out specific answers to your questions if you want. Good luck to you.

[Pacheen]

I don't know anything about the public schools in Lincoln, but my son went to Lincoln College. it is a private junior college on a lovely wooded campus and the buildings are red brick, very picturesque. The other school is Lincoln Christian College, whose campus is more modern and not quite as nice looking, in my opinon. The donwtown is cute with a nick looking domed courthouse as I believe it was the county seat. The college has a museum with a lot of Lincoln (the president) artifacts if you are into history. Lovely big Victorian houses near the downtown. Otherwise, not much to do, but halfway between Bloomington and Springfield, roughly 25 miles each way, for the mall, etc. If you need to go to the big city there is Amtrak service between there and Chicago, and St. Louis, 5 times a day. Train to Chicago takes about 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

[alexandrian]

Good high school basketball program, not much else although it is located pretty close to a number of bigger towns.

[gardener34]

Whatever you do, don't stay at the "budget inn" there... very rundown - is it still there?

[RLC51598]

Hi,

My children and I relocated to Lincoln almost 7 years ago from the Chicago area. The kids love it and I like the slower pace. School systems are great.

The downtown area has a nice square with local merchants....chain stores includes Super Wal-Mart, Kroger, Goody's Clothing Store, Ace Hardware, Walgreens, CVS, and Aldi. Being right off I-55 there is a nice variety of chain restaurants as well as some locally owned sit down establishments. Couple of great local pizza places as well.

We have a 4 screen movie theater (not as nice as the big city ones, but cheaper as well), a nice rec center, decent bowling alley, Elk's country club, and a Sportman's club. There is also a small state park on the edge of town for hiking and picnics. We have community theater to go along with the college, high school and grade school productions.

We are in the process of building a skateboard park for the kids. If your kids are into athletics, there is a junior football league, soccer, rec center and competitive baseball league, Xtreme volleyball, cheerleading and gymnastics club, and a nice YMCA program.

Hope this helps!

[kmwheel]

Thanks so much for your comments. It seems like a pretty nice place to live! I will be anxious to check it out if/when we ever sell our house in the Chicago suburbs.