First, understand that Peoria is a sprawling community. Where you work will probably dictate where you live. For instance, if you work at the airport you will not want to live in Chillecothe because its at least 60 minutes if you're not caught in traffic or a snow storm. It may not be that far, I'm trying to make a point about distance when you're sliding up and down icy hills. Peoria is not flat like Chicago, but it does have a very respectable Interstate system and its easy to get around once you understand the basic streets. The more you know the easier it will be to find what you need once you move. The following is enough information to get you up and running once you hit the ground, so to speak. Few of the streets are due N-S or E-W and even less are absolutely flat and straight.
Methodist and St. Francis Hospitals are near downtown on Glen Oak. Both can be accssed from Hamilton, As far as I am concerned the easiest hospital to access is Proctor on N. knoxville as Knoxville is a major IL route.
NE Adams (IL 29) is a one-way 4-lane street for 10 miles. SW Jefferson is a on-way 4-lane for eight miles. These are parallel streets that pass through down town Peoria and they are busy streets. But the traffic is genreally no worse than the Outer Drive about 1pm on Sunday afternoon.
Peoria was not built in a "pure" grid form like Chicago. It followed the course of the river before it built upward and outward. Prospect Ave, Abingdon, Main, Sheridan, Knoxville, University, and Sterling Ave and Western are N-S streets. Nebraska, War Memorial (US 150), Lake, Glean Ave Wisconsins, and Northmore are E-W streets.
University exiting 1-74 crosses Nebraska, Wisconsin, War Memorial, Lake, Glen, Northmore and then northward to auto row. All the major shopping, except the Malls are two lights south of War Memorial on Univeristy and three lights North of War Memorial on University on any of the N bound streets.
The exception is Prospect Ave which is in Peoria Heights. It travels between Glen Oak and Knoxtille AVe and has many lights. The area you will want to shop is between the Zoo and N Knoxville. The area to live in is anywhere near Grand View Drive and North to Knoxville.
Main is a
horsehoe street that begins at the river continues north, turns to the west
crossing Sheridan and University before it passes Bradley U and joins Western which is a N-S short street between N.Main and SW Adams on the far south side of Peoria - when you think of this area think of South side of Chicago where Rev.Wright preached.
Begining at the river downtown and moving north the E-W streets are Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe. The major N-S streets downtown moving east are Fulton, Main and Hamilton. Knoxwille Ave angles to the right off Main Street above Monroe.
The county courthouse, Federal courthouse, Caterpillar Headquarters, lawyers, banks, 4am bars, Civic Center, hotels, River Front, Jazz club, some shopping and main library are in this 8 block legal/financial district. Jim's Steak House, twin towers (residential), and some other stuff are in the same area.
Shopping: The shopping areas I call strip mall are usually good size and have a variety of stores.
Northwoods, the indoor Mall, is sandwiched between Sterling Ave and War Memorial, a little south of Glen. Access from either street.
War Memorial Drive is US 150. It crosses the Il River at the McCluggage/Iron Workers Bridge and continues West through Peoria to Brimfield and beyond. Glen is the first major street N of War Memorial. Half way between WM and Glen is Lake Street.
Sheridan Village, a major strip mall with a Bergner's anchor. It is located between N Sheridan and N Universtity on the corner of Lake..
Lake St. is a short E-W street situated between War Memorial and Glen Ave that carries traffic between N. University in Peoria and N. Prospect in Peoria Heights. .
Directly across the street at the Lake side traffic light at Sheridan Village is the strip mall where Office Depot, Kroger's grocery, Big-K or Target and other stores are located.
Metro Center is the next strip mall north of Lake Street on University. Brom's Furs and all kinds of niche shops are here. The farmer's market is here with seasonal fresh veggies. North of this strip mall (drive through the parking lots) is Shnuck's grocery store. and some others.
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Grand Prairie Shoppes is toward Dunlap. (may not be t he correct name) off Willow Knolls Road. .
Sterling, Glen, War Memorial all converge together at the same light.
Glen begins here, travels due East to Peoria Heights and Prospect Ave.. The top rated Peoria Zoo is South of War Memorial on Prospect. You'll pass Trefger's Bakery. You haven't lived until you eat their Danish Flat Coffee Cake (14 flavors). The chocolate version is awesome. This cake flies out the door on Saturday mornings. Order or get their very early.
War Memorial, at this intersection, swings N and then W to Brimfiled. This is the end of Sterling.. It is a short streret that goes south to Farminton Road. (Farmington Road runs betten Main Street and Farminton, IL.)
Sterling is the access street to Cub Foods, Avanti Italian Restarnt. South on Sterling is where you find 24-hour upscale Kroger grocery. Find food here you won't find in other stores.
North on War Memorial and Glen at the second light on the LEFT is where you find Lowes, book store, Petmart's, buffet and other box stores. Continue N to find Sam's Club and the Proctor Hosptial walk-in clinic at a strip mall on the RIGHT at a light. In this area is Rolling Acres, Sherwood Forest, Northmore Road and a lot of housing - both houses and apartments, duplex, etc. The entire area is a nice place to live. All of the houses in Sherwood forest have a garage. Many have a double garage. Family homes.
Peoria Heights = north on Prospect Ave is also a nice place. Anywhere near Grandview Drive N to Knoxville is a great location.
Chicago has expressways, Peoria has bridges. The 1st bridge farthes NE in Peoria on Adams is the McCluggage or Iron workers Bridge. US 150 crosses it.
Turning toward downtown Peoris is the second bridged, Murray Baker Bridge. carries 1-74 traffic.
The third is Robert Michael Bridge. carries traffic between Peoria and East Peoira - our bridge to nowhere..
The fourth is out of downtown Peoria. It is Cedar Street Bridge that connects to East Peoria and Creve Coeur.
The last bridge is a Peoria bypass Shade-Lowman. It carries 1-474 traffic from 1-74/Morton to west of Peoria crossing exits at Pekin, Bartonvill, Farminton and Greater Peoria Airport and US I50 before it rejoins I-74 and continues toward Galesburg.
I-74 Exits Morton, East Peoaria(2), Adams Street, University, Glen and War Memorial before it joins I- 474 ancd continues west.
pjstar.com - Peoria, IL - pjstar.com
The Peoria Joiurnal Star will keep you up to date on local issues, weather, etc..
East Peoria, Morton, Eurika, Dunlap, Gernantown Hills and Peoria north of War Memorial are the most desirable locations. The farther from Peoria, the lower the rent.
Got questions? IM me.
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Peoria Area Relocation
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