Galesburg---Macomb where to live? (Chicago, Peoria: to rent, crime, credit)

[lily75]

Hi all,

My partner and I are going to move to Illinois for our new jobs, one in Macomb, the other in Galesburg. We are trying to decide where to live. It looks like a reasonable commute btw the two places. Which place would you recommend living? Also, are there any nice places in between so that neither has to driving that much? Any other things to consider? We are not familiar with Illinois at all, so any advice would be very helpful. I really appreciate it!

[linicx]

I am partial to Galesburg as it is on or very near 1-74.

What you should understand is Illinois econopmy is fueled by two sources [Chicago and farm/ranch operations] that are infrequently disrupted by pockets of population. Regardless where you live within the state you will find your are surrounded by silo. livestock and the occassional producing tree farm (apple orchard, Maple syrup and pine trees).

Macomb is a college town. Galesburg not so much. The only stores youwill not find in western central Illinois are Trader Joe's. Cosco, Whole Foods and Ikea; these stores are all in Chicago. The majority of the other box stores and chain restaurants are in nearby Peoria.

Since you are not familiar with Illinois, let me introduce you to Peoria. You will find two malls plus eight or ten shopping centers -each with an anchor store, furrier, the largest park system outside of Chicago with a top rated zoo, botanial gardens, amphitheater, summer stock, obsevatory, hiking trails, several golf courses, etc.. You can also find a wide variety of sports from hockey to skeet, river cruises and casino, Riverfront Plaza, four country clubs, social clubs, fraternal organizations, medical school and three hospitlas, regional state fair, Civic Center, and many annual events throughout the year. If whole foods are important, Peoria does have a large natural foods store in the Metro Center on N. University.

Unlike most farmland, the Peoria area is surrounded by rolling hills and heavily forrested bluffs that offer spectacular views of the Illinois River Valley. You can also find a fresh fish provider as well as a microbrewer and 200 ft tower that overlooks the river. You'll find upscale shopping and dining as well as well as Sam's Club and fried chicken. Generally speaking, if you can't find, buy or order "it" in Peoria, you most likely can in Chicago.

Illinois is the 5th most populated state. The Peoria MSA - that includes five counties -is 370K while the Chicago MSA is approaching 12 million. The St. Louis MSA - which includes eight Illinois counties, is much smaller than Chicago. It is further from Galesburg, but closer to Macomb.

The IL Amtrack does stop at Macomb and Galesburg as well as Springfield, St. Louis. If you are history buffs you will find much to explore in Cental Illinois.


The thing you should understand about rural living - whether it is upstate NY or Georgia is the lack of services. Many little towns do not have a hospital or a dial up Internet connection. Illnois has dozens of small towns; most are clannish - as is most of rural Anerica. It is a culture shock to move from either coast to the midwest. The change is accentuated if you move from a large city area such as Newark to a very rural farming community.

MY advce is to rent for a few months. By then you will be familar with the araa and the services. You will be in a much better position to decide if you want to purchase property.

If either is a teacher, you can get a provisional license to teach if you need additional credits. You should bring all your professional and health records anyway. You will surrender your out of state drivers license and be issued new plates and license. It is expensive if you wait more than 30 days. Any IL Drivers License Bureau can do this. You will need vehicle title, Identification and a piece of mail such as utility bill to your new address. You may need a certificed copy of your birth certicates.

Welcome Home!









q



Amtrack stops in Galesburg, but perhaps not in Macomb or Springfield. The Union Station in downtown Chicago makes it very easy to shop in the Loop,

[lily75]

Thank you so much for replying with such detail. The information helps a lot. I really appreciate your time!

[Orangeish]

Macomb has a neat little town square that can be fun and it has decent little shops in there. Last time I was there (When I left WIU in 05) there was a really nice Amish furniture store in there, but its also really really expensive. I remember looking at a rocking chair, and it was something like 1,300 dollars. Don't get me wrong I'm sure the quality is great, but wasn't exactly in my budged as a college student.

They both will give you that BFI feeling sometimes. Macomb is close to the Mississippi, and has a decent public golf course. So I would lean towards Macomb, but at the end of the day, it is a college town. That may sway you towards Galesburg.

[cullen7282]

Macomb has a pop. of around 20,000 (not including the college) everything you need is there. There are really no bad areas which you will have to deal with in Galesburg. The people are nice. Most of the crime is domestics and drugs. Galesburg can be pretty violent, gang activity, etc. so I would take that into consideration.

The amtrack does stop in Macomb. Once in the morning on its way towards Galesburg and once at night on its way back. But unless you're husband is working twelve-fifteen hours, that's not a good transportation route. It picks up early and doesn't come back until about 8 or 9.

Bushnell or a small town around there would be a short drive for both you and your husband, but they are really small towns, so be prepared if you do that. I'm not sure where you're from so I don't know if you're accustomed to small town life.

[QuadCityImages]

I'm 99% sure that Macomb's population of almost 20,000 INCLUDES the 12,000 or so WIU students.

[Orangeish]

Originally Posted by QuadCityImages

I'm 99% sure that Macomb's population of almost 20,000 INCLUDES the 12,000 or so WIU students.

Wow are they up to 12? When I was there 02-05 I think it was like 8K. I dont remember the exact figure though.

I would agree though, I can't imagine 20,000 Macombie Homies actually there.

[rose125]

Have you looked at Monmouth at all?

Or if you want to live either in Galesburg or Macomb it depends what you are looking for. As a student at WIU, many times we go to Galesburg for shopping (target!!) or to grab dinner (applebees!!) or for the movies (more than two screens!!). That being said June 5th a six screen movie theater is set to open in Macomb, we are supposed to be getting a new restaurant to accompany the Hampton inn being built, and Buffalo wild wings does pretty good business.

Galesburg is closer to the quad cities with malls, a greater variety of restaurants, the Nibali Zoo, QC airport etc. From Macomb it's pretty equal distance to Springfieild & the Quad Cities. I don't know about Galesburg nightlife- Macomb has the normal college bars- Pace, Forum, Ritz etc.

Maybe take a weekend trip and visit both-- I know for sure that Macomb is DEAD in the summer, Galesburg I don't know about.

[Orangeish]

ohhh the memories...Bootleggers and the Cafe still there? The only bar I never went in was the dog pound.

[rose125]

Originally Posted by Orangeish

ohhh the memories...Bootleggers and the Cafe still there? The only bar I never went in was the dog pound.

Cafe is open for sure, bootleggers I think but I've never been. The Dog Pound is closed- they are creating a new "chicago club" style bar called DETOX or something.. it was supposed to open forever ago, who knows when/if it will