Tuscola, Illinois Info.

[molliecat1]

Originally Posted by mermaidmom

Molliecat, we recently moved to Tuscola from the east coast after two year search of central Illinois. We chose this town because of the community feel....everything you need is here in town. The outlet mall is great, as are the huge amount of restaurants. The people are incredible. I have never been served in stores by as many warm, helpful people. Its a town where you see people get out and walk and kids out playing. The schools are great. The commute to Champaign is not that bad. We also felt housing was very very affordable here. Much more so than Champaign and no school probs like they have there. Taxes are good here too. We also liked Monticello for all the above reasons, but be prepared to pay 100,000 more for the same house. I hope this helps.

Thanks so much for the reply. Sorry I did not respond sooner! I definitely see the positives of the community feel you are talking about We realize the Mahomet/Monticello/St. Joseph areas (not to mention Champaign county in general) are very expensive, both homes and property taxes. We are from Michigan, and frankly you get double the size home with 1/2 the taxes, and water issues and utilities are not a problem where we live either. This area is sure an eye-opener!! I like the idea that you can stay in your community, and "have it all." What is the local grocery store? We really need to come and visit the downtown and check out the houses in the area. We did drive the outskirts recently, and saw the Amish shopping area and the outlets, but didn't have the time to go into Tuscola further. Honestly, my husband worries that the 1/2 hour commute to Urbana is perhaps too far on a daily basis for work. But it appears to basically be a straight shot down the highway... My son will be a high school freshman next year, and this is quite a transition for him, so the school as well as the sports programs is pretty important to him. Any other info. on the area would be welcome!!
THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR RESPONSE--YOU HAVE BEEN HELPFUL!!
P.S. One factor that keeps pulling us to Mahomet is the fact that there appears to be more of an abundance of rental/lease housing. Since we may still have the mortgage (if our house in MI is not sold) we wanted to start with lease housing, and really get a feel for the area and what we want to buy. To your knowledge, is there any leasing options in Tuscola?
THANKS AGAIN!!

[jlawrence01]

Tuscola is one of many nice, small towns in Douglas Co., IL. If you want a smaller town, Arcola is down the road. The schools in that area are generally pretty good and the people are friendly.

However, if you are working in Champaign, driving I-57 is NOT themost pleasant road during the winter. And driving in that area in the winter can be tough as the terrain is very flat and you have all the blowing snow.

[molliecat1]

Originally Posted by jlawrence01

Tuscola is one of many nice, small towns in Douglas Co., IL. If you want a smaller town, Arcola is down the road. The schools in that area are generally pretty good and the people are friendly.

However, if you are working in Champaign, driving I-57 is NOT themost pleasant road during the winter. And driving in that area in the winter can be tough as the terrain is very flat and you have all the blowing snow.

I appreciate the fact that you comment on I-57 in the winter. We definitely have flat stretches like this in Michigan, and I understand what you mean about the blowing snow. As we see it, it is understandable why newbies to the area locate themselves in Mahomet or St. Joseph, becuz of the closer proximity to Champaign-Urbana, esp. if that is where the job is!
THANKS

[CommunityBanker]

Originally Posted by molliecat1

Hello!! Just wondering what thoughts anyone has regarding TUSCOLA, ILLINOIS? My family will be moving to the Champaign-Urbana area (new job) in the future. !

Molliecat1,

I believe you would find Tuscola to have more of a community feel than the other towns you mentioned. Each has its own advantages. Tuscola is 22 miles from the city limits of Champaign. It is very easy to run up there for dinner or the theater. I have a country club membership in Champaign, which is 20-25 minutes from my home. The other towns you mentioned were slightly closer, but also have less of a community feel because they seem to be primarily bedroom communities for Champaign. Tuscola has interesting restaurants, plus the usual fast food; a Tanger outlet mall, great schools, and excellent housing, including a ten-year-old subdivision surrounding the Ironhorse Golf Course.

The trains really don't seem to bother anyone. I saw a comment here that stated the residents have thick Southern accents. I have to dispute that. We sound like most of the people on TV sitcoms!

If you are looking for more information, feel free to call. I am president of the local bank, located just in front of the outlet mall. 217.253.4711

Lloyd

[Durian Beach]

Originally Posted by molliecat1

We realize the Mahomet/Monticello/St. Joseph areas (not to mention Champaign county in general) are very expensive, both homes and property taxes. We are from Michigan, and frankly you get double the size home with 1/2 the taxes, and water issues and utilities are not a problem where we live either.
THANKS AGAIN!!

Surprised you say that, I've found Champaign to be one of the cheapest areas in the country, prices are a fraction of what they are in rural Oregon. The Chicago area is beyond belief. I have a 2 bedroom apt in downtown Champaign for 560. In Suburban Portland I paid 700 for a fancy 1 bedroom. In a decent area of Chicagoland that same 1 bedroom would be about 1000. Heck up there they wanted nearly 800 for a run down mess where the complex courtyard was crawling with dirty little children who looked like they were right off the set of Slumdog Millionare.

[ImaloneJill]

I have friends that live in St. Louis (my other friend and I live in Chicago) and we decided to meet somewhere in the middle for an all girl get together and gabfest. We chose Tuscola because it always seemed a quaint Amish town.
Middle of winter in February, I am driving down 57 and there is a white out and strong winds blowing my car around. Scary.
But the town was cool.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by ImaloneJill

Middle of winter in February, I am driving down 57 and there is a white out and strong winds blowing my car around. Scary. But the town was cool.

You will experience that phenomenon throughout Central and Southern Illinois. It is critical that you pay attention during inclement weather, especially when going through an underpass.

[molliecat1]

Originally Posted by CommunityBanker

Molliecat1,

I believe you would find Tuscola to have more of a community feel than the other towns you mentioned. Each has its own advantages. Tuscola is 22 miles from the city limits of Champaign. It is very easy to run up there for dinner or the theater. I have a country club membership in Champaign, which is 20-25 minutes from my home. The other towns you mentioned were slightly closer, but also have less of a community feel because they seem to be primarily bedroom communities for Champaign. Tuscola has interesting restaurants, plus the usual fast food; a Tanger outlet mall, great schools, and excellent housing, including a ten-year-old subdivision surrounding the Ironhorse Golf Course.

The trains really don't seem to bother anyone. I saw a comment here that stated the residents have thick Southern accents. I have to dispute that. We sound like most of the people on TV sitcoms!

If you are looking for more information, feel free to call. I am president of the local bank, located just in front of the outlet mall. 217.253.4711

Lloyd

Thanks Lloyd for the info....we will keep up our search. My husband is thinking it may be too far...but I like that there is quite a bit of civilization in Tuscola. I will call if I have questions, thanks!

[A Tuscolian]

I do not have a "Southern accent."
I don't find that there are many entertainment options in this town.
Traveling to Champaign is needed for movies/bowling/etc.
Nothing but hotels and Denny's are 24.
There is a huge new apartment complex going up (probably not going to be open for a while, others should know more than I).

Call a local Realtor to find out about the town or be referred to info on rentals. (217.253.3303)
See the town on google maps: Tuscola IL - Google Maps
Tuscola schools: Tuscola Community Unit District No. 301
Tuscola's website: Welcome to Tuscola, IL