Goodfield, IL (Peoria, Bloomington, Morton: house, theater, school districts)

[Sacuna1]

Hi everyone. It looks like my husband and I will be moving to Illinois from the West Coast, Washington, in the very near future. He's accepted a job in Goodfield, IL. Neither one of us know the area, he's more familiar with it than I having been raised in Michigan, but still doesn't know much about the area of Goodfield. We are considering living in either Peroria or Bloomington, but aren't really sure which would suit us better. Kids are going to college this year so the school districts are not a factor, but I do have two black labs that love to swim so I'd like to be close to water, if at all possible. If you had your choice, which would you choose and why? We are very excited about this new chapter in our life and look forward to heading your way! Thank you for any input or advice you can offer!

[JerichoHW]

I suggest looking in Morton, Illinois a suburb of Peoria about 10 miles from Goodfield, it is a nice community with reasonable home prices. Im not sure about water though, but I bet you could find something. You might also want to try Eureka, Il although I don't know much about that community I do know they have a large lake there.

[linicx]

Peoria is probably a good location as it is on the Illinois River. 10,000 acres of lakes were opened not too far from Peoria. If your husband hunts, he'll love the area.

Illinois is a corn producing state. Goodfield is in the middle of it. So is Bloomington and Morton and Eureka and Peoria. However, Peoria is much larger and so is the county. It is the largest and the oldest settlement on the Illinois River. Here is a recent link to some of the things the Peoria area can offer you. http://www.city-data.com/forum/illin...ck-island.html

Conclin's Barn II Dinner Theater has been entertaining guests for many years. It's in Goodfield and well worth the trip.

[runninfiend]

Goodfield is a very nice, but very small town. There are new, wooded subdivisions south and east of town if you're looking for a really nice house with treed lots. You have to leave town for amenities. Eureka is 6 miles north and has an IGA and several restaurants, Morton and B/N both have plentiful shopping within 15-20 minute drive.

Goodfield is in District 140, Eureka-Congerville-Goodfield. If you have kids, it's an excellent district that is well funded with good facilities. The grade school in Goodfield is very small, but in 5th grade they feed into the larger middle school in Eureka.

It's all about what you want. If you want small town, quiet living with nice housing options, there's no reason not to live in Goodfield itself. If you want a more suburban/urban feel, Morton is close, and either B/N or Peoria aren't far commutes.

One other word, Goodfield is in general a very conservative, largely religious community. This can be good or bad, depending on one's perspective. Let me know if you have any other questions, I live in the area.