Moving to springfield, Illinois from United kingdom (Chicago, Peoria: estate, insurance)

[DDP]

Hi

We (2 adults and a child) would be moving from Britain to Springfield, Illinois in 3 months time and I was wondering what are the good areas there to rent as we have no idea how the system works. A few websites say about the gang problem there and we would be grateful for any suggestions?

[JerichoHW]

Originally Posted by DDP

Hi

We (2 adults and a child) would be moving from Britain to Springfield, Illinois in 3 months time and I was wondering what are the good areas there to rent as we have no idea how the system works. A few websites say about the gang problem there and we would be grateful for any suggestions?

Springfield has plenty of rentable property but you don't want to move to a rough area. Try around The University or Riverton, Illinois. Also try around White Oaks Mall. With any big city there will be crime so you just have to know where to work.

[linicx]

Allow me to ask a couple of questions. Do you have a job in Springfield?
What are your long range plans: will you return or will you stay? What are your expectations? Springfield is nothing like London.

The first thing to do is read the local newspapers. Springfield-Journal-Register, Peoria Journal Star, Bloomington Pantagrraph, Lincoln Courier and the Mason County Democrat are all on line. This will give you a rough idea of what centrall Illinois is all about. This is the mid-section of the Illinois Grain and livestock Belt. The polpulation of Springfield, Peoria and Bloominton is 100,000 or more.

Springfield is the seat of Illinois politics; our State Capitol. Illinois is a democratic state. The politics and infighting isn't much different than your House of Commons.

The next thing to do is find a real-estate agent because they know who the rental agents are and many of the realtors also have rental property. I do suggest you try to stay away from the realtors who work for national companies: Re\Max, ERA, Centruy 21 and Caldwell Banker as they are all owned by an off-shore company. Personally the dealings with their employees that I have had in the last three years three years have been horrid..

Third, since you are not familiar with the area I suggest you rent for a year. By then you will know whether or not you want to purchase a home. Living space can be anything from a mobile home, apartment, condo, duplex, tri-plex, apartment complex or single home. The cost can be anywhere from $300-$2000 US per month - this does nto include lights, gas, water, sewer, phone, telly, etc.. Get a motel room and
take your time.to find a place you like that you can afford. I have no idea what motels cost in Sprinfield or where they are located. I personally like Best Western motels because the price is moderate and the units are very nice for the money. Normally they are not located far from food and other services.

We have four season weather. winters can be brutal. The good news is we have some pretty good doctors and pretty good schools in all the towns I listed. I'm partial to where I live because its safe for kids and there is a lot ot stuff to do. The downside is a 45 mile drive to Springfield. But, people here do it every dayl it isn't a big deal to us.

The green grocer is taxed at 1%, but gas is going to hit $4 a gallon before we know it. A gallon is a little bit more than 3.75 liters. The US dollar is soft against the Euro and Canadian dollar. If you haven't been here, we all drive on the "wrong" side of the street when compared to English roads and cars. Our drivers aren't any worse than the Autobahn and they are generally polite. But not always. Religion and race is mixed in all of our larger towns. Now, once you get here and you get home sick a quick trip to Chicago will help. Food and things from every country in the world can be found in the Windy City and festivals too.
Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune newspapers are on-line too
Chicago is probably about 200 miles from Sprignfield - abd it is all interstate.

Last, do find out about the driver;s licenses, car insurance, medical insurance before you leave home. Do bring passports, birth certificates, and personal identification. You will need it - and you may need some of it to get on US planes. This i do not know.

You'll probably land at JFK in New york. And you'll probably have a loayover before your flight to Chicago. AT Chicago you can drive to Springfield - it is a pleasant drive once you leave Chicago, or you catch a small plane called the American Eagle. It's a short ride to Springfield.

You will all experience jet lag. Springfield is in the Central Time Zone. I bleive it there is about 9 hours difference in the time zones between Illinois and England, but I might be wrrong.

Bring tea. I haven't tried to buy Earl Gray for years. Seriously.

[Maintainschaos]

1) American Eagle only flies from StL to Springfield; United flies from Chicago to Springfield.

2) It's only a 6 hour time difference from England to CST.

3) There's plenty of tea in the U.S. including hundreds of places to buy Earl Grey, so don't worry about stocking up.

4) Springfield is going to be a bit...different if you're coming from a larger metro area in England. The populace is quite homogenized, but the people are wonderful.

Good luck.

[DDP]

Many thanks and sorry for the delay in my response. I would be joining as a surgical resident and would stay in Springfield for 2 years, need a home for 2 adults and a child in a safe area. We are moving from Scotland and we live in a town and so we are not used to life in London, so I am sure we would love Springfield. Was just worried a little bit as my search about Springfield gave details about gang crimes and so am anxious to find somewhere where it is reasonably safe, though I am sure it is everywhere.
Thanks

[breer23]

Will you be located at Memorial Hospital (SIU School of Medicine), or out of a private practice? That might also dictate where you want to look. Both major hospitals in Springfield are located just north of the downtown area, with Memorial being the further west and north (by a few blocks).

[PenguinSix]

You might want to check out British Expatriate Community : British Expat Community

They have a message board for the USA and a WIKI offering some suggestions on your move (things like what you need to enroll your kids in school, what to pack and what to leave in the UK, and how to deal with cultural differences). I think some of the posters in the USA forum are in Central Illinois as well.

[DDP]

My job would mainly be at SimonsCooper cancer institute and also at Memorial hospital

[breer23]

Originally Posted by DDP

My job would mainly be at SimonsCooper cancer institute and also at Memorial hospital

All of those are in the same general area...even the two hospitals are separated by, at-most, a 5 minute drive.