Moving to Effingham, IL (Chicago, Springfield: crime, home, good schools)

[nuhaha]

Got a good job in Effingham, IL and thinking to move there. Any one can help me with some feedback? like schools? safety? lifestyle? shopping..etc.I appreciate it.

[nuhaha]

Well, I guess no one really lives there..

[Drover]

Been to Effingham a number of times. There's just not a lot going on there, in both the good and bad sense of the term. Not much to do in the way of entertainment/nightlife/cultural options; and not a lot of crime or drama either. If you come from a small town and like a small-town atmosphere, Effingham should be comfortable and familiar. If you're used to a more metropolitan setting, you may find Effingham to be a little too small and isolated.

Don't know a thing about the schools there. Sorry.

[Steve-o]

Small-ish town. Ive been through it a few times, and like Drover says, its nothing to write home about. I dont know anything about the schools either, sorry! Youre centralized, so trips to Indy, Chicago, Bloomington-Normal, St. Louis, Champaign-Urbana arent too terribly far away. There are some nice lakes down there where you can swim/boat/jet ski, etc... Youre not too terribly far from Springfield also, which has lots of historical places and a nice state fair. Make sure to check out the new Lincoln Library, I hear great things about it.

[Switch625]

Effingham isn't good or bad, it's just kinda there. Small-time city with excellent transportation links, a decent economy, very little serious crime, and not much in the way of culture or activities. If you like the quiet life, you'll love Effingham.

[cstan2]

Effingham is at the point in Illinois where you're getting into central Illinois as opposed to truely southern Illinois. Its a decent community, there have been some problem with drugs in that part of the state over the last decade and a half Meth has become a big problem; but generally speaking little to no serious crime.

Effingham has a State Police district headquarters and a district headquarters for IDOT as well. The city has had some growing pains driving through there are a few odd over passes and change overs because of the way that railroad tracks & the interstates come into the city; but growing up less than an hour southeast of there my family's adjusted to the changes and its easy to get around in the city.

It is fairly quiet but your within 2 hours of Indy & St. Louis about 3 1/2 hours to Chicago depending on your driving speed. Plus you have a giant lighted cross where the 2 interstates intersect! The city has enough shopping & chain restaraunts for day to day life but not for an avid shopper or a someone who wants to eat out daily but St Louis & Indy have enough to supplement the needs. One downside is the lack of commercial air travel in this part of the state; however, Indy has a great airport but it is 2 hours away.

[M TYPE X]

Originally Posted by cstan2

Plus you have a giant lighted cross where the 2 interstates intersect!

What did I miss! ... must ... go ... see ...

[Drover]

Originally Posted by M TYPE X

What did I miss! ... must ... go ... see ...

You missed this:

http://www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc5055.php

[M TYPE X]

Originally Posted by Drover

You missed this:

http://www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc5055.php

Hmm, I think I saw that. Last summer was just one big heatwave blur ...

[nuhaha]

Thank you all guys. I appreciate all your comments. You seem to be right about all what you said. I am a family man, most of my time will be spent at work or at home. We do not care much for night life or culture activities. Most important is a quiet place, safe and good schools. I found all that in Effingham. Besides, it IS really central to so many nice places and cities within reasonable driving distance (St. Louise, Champagn, Indianapolis, as well as Chicago). It seems to be growing fast though and that's good.
Thanks again.