Exciting places to live, "not far" from Macomb (Chicago: get credit, rent)

[etme]

I really appreciate this forum - true inside look into all those things that make up life- living in a given place! Thanks to all who make it so useful and interesting!

There is apossibility I would start working in Macomb, IL. However, I would not like to live there, but I would really like a place where there is art, entertainment, music, and such. My idea is to live somewhere close to downtown/main street, where I'd have all these, and then commute to Macomb.

I am thinking of Moline (Quad Cities). Since they don't have direct Amtrak connection, the commute by car would take about 1hr40mins, according to GoogleMaps. That's the downside. The upside: what an exciting place to live! - and I might not have to commute every day - perhaps three/week.

I would be most, most grateful if you could suggest some alternatives to this plan - or to hear your ideas about it!

[chet everett]

That is insane, driving up and down 67 for work from the Quad Cities to Macomb even three days a week would be a killer. Literally. You might be driving 80 miles each way, the odds of colliding with SOMETHING at high speed are enormous. Really bad idea.

I've been to the Quad Cities a handful of times and in person they have a lot less appeal than they do "on paper". Sure, Maccomb is pretty much the least desirable campus of the Illinois University System, but Davenport, IA, Bettendorf, IA, Moline, IL Rock Island, IL are no mecca either. Do you have any idea how many folks from even Iowa City IA drive into Chicago for arts/music/theatre???

If you just want to live someplace that is cute and quiet I'd suggest Burlington IA, which is probably a little more than half as far, though honestly the drive is not an easy commute.

Maybe you need to explore the outskirts of Macomb. More than a few professor from the University have built nice lives in the area, especially some of the folks involved with the arts...

[aragx6]

Moline is not an exciting place to live, and I can't really see how the drive would be worthwhile.

Peoria is nice, but also way too far away. perhaps you could find something in the middle?

[kriskaden]

Galesburg is only 50 miles away from Macomb. Are you looking to rent or buy? Also, Galesburg has an Amtrak station downtown.

[QuadCityImages]

The Quad Cities are a pretty good place to live, and a lot better than we get credit for.

As a graduate of WIU in Macomb, I can understand where the OP is coming from. I loved the campus, and I won't say I didn't enjoy my time there. However, it would have been nice to live somewhere where your shopping options didn't consist of KMart or WalMart, and your entertainment options don't consist of choosing a bar to get drunk at each night.

I read about someone else considering doing this commute on some website, and a good suggestion was made to split the difference. Monmouth, for example, is in between the QC and Macomb on 67, so you would have a shorter daily commute, but not too far to drive for some cultural amenities. Monmouth doesn't seem like a bad town on its own either.

[aragx6]

I definitely didn't mean my post to come off as Moline being a terrible place to live. It's not! It's not exciting either, but I'm sure it's more exciting than Macomb (which I've admittedly never been to).

[kriskaden]

Yeah, sure Monmouth is nice, if you don't mind the smell of the hog plant there! One of their major grocery stores is closing next month and the only place to buy clothes there is Shopko.

[CarolL]

I've lived in Macomb. I grew up near the QC, worked there for a time, my dad worked there his whole life, mom still lives nearby, etc, so I'm very familiar with the QC. And, as others have said, the QC are not "exciting" enough to warrant that commute to Macomb, especially in the winter, which can be brutal out there on the prairie of western IL.

The QC is a working class, more blue-collar type area that is coming out of the economic slump that began back in the late '70's—early '80's. It does have sports teams, a couple museums, nice parks, shopping, the Mississippi River, and a few good restaurants...nice maybe to raise a family, but I wouldn't describe it as "exciting."

[etme]

Great posts - thanks guys! In consequence, I keep looking for alternatives... Because yes, the drive b/w QC and Macomb could be a killer - even literally. I wish they'd have Amtrak between QC and Macomb. But where else?

I thought about Galesburg, but from what I read on these forums, it is similarly sleepy and such. My idea would be to live as close as possible to opportunities such as a real downtown, music, art, and commute to work (rather than the other way around). I completely understand what some of you were saying about QC not being the "most" exciting place; however, it has downtown, music, art (the Figge looks like a blast) - there are things going on, and not only on special occasions, but as part of the life of the city. All my life I lived close to such things, and they've been a daily part of my life, so...

I truly appreciate your feedback... am still scratching my head about alternatives, besides Galesburg (which, indeed, is worth thinkng about, at least because of location).

[etme]

Originally Posted by kriskaden

Galesburg is only 50 miles away from Macomb. Are you looking to rent or buy? Also, Galesburg has an Amtrak station downtown.

Yes - thank you! - thought about it, indeed. I am looking to rent, at this point. Goodies - distance from Macomb; Amtrak to Chicago. Question marks - the other things (downtown, music, art etc)...