St. Joseph/mahomet illinois (Champaign, Urbana: real estate, 2010, rentals)

[molliecat1]

HELLO! My husband has just started a job in Urbana, IL and we will relocate early summer 2010, after my son graduates from high school. We have considered Mahomet because of good schools, also predominant rental housing (to 1st become familiar with the area). The Champaign area in general has double the property taxes and utilities compared to where we currently live We are wondering about St. Joseph, trying to find more house for our $$. Is there any lease/rental properties in St. Joe? We are looking for a nice community with decent schools--my youngest son will be a freshman next year and loves sports- x-country, baseball, track.
Wondering about specifics for St. Joseph, compared to Mahomet. How is the sense of community and people? Businesses, churches, restaurants, shops? I realize Champaign/Urbana is close either way. ANY INFO. would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!! THANKS!!!

[04JETTA]

If you want sports you may want to look at SJ I hear thier school is pretty much second to none when it comes to all sports HOWEVER I'm not sure about the community or if the schools themselves are good Mahomet I've been to nice town friendly people and I hear the schools are good this is all the information I can provide hope this helps!!

EDIT: oh and good luck

[Drover]

There's not a lot of rental stock in St. Joe, and quite honestly real estate is no cheaper there than in Champaign/Urbana.

Both St. Joe and Mahomet have well-regarded high schools, which is part of why they're at least if not more expensive than Champaign/Urbana proper -- Chambana professionals with school-age kids concerned about the quality of Chambana schools have flocked to both Mahomet and St. Joe. Between the two, I'd pick St. Joe. IMO Mahomet has an attitude problem and St. Joe has a tighter community feel.

If you want an even better high school, lower property taxes (Piatt County v. Champaign County), a strong sense of community and you're willing to endure a slightly longer commute for it, look into Monticello.

[molliecat1]

04JETTA---Thanks 4 the info!!

[molliecat1]

Drover---thanks for the info. It is too bad about the attitude issue in Mahomet, I have seen this on other blogs before. I don't understand this, since the few times I've gone to check out Mahomet, I see a very scattered idea of community or "suburban" planning. It seems trailers are thrown in next to homes, higher end homes are mixed in with zerolots and other rentals. Perhaps due to the transient nature of getting kids through the "quality" of Mahomet schools, people don't invest in the area? It was strange to me what a mix it all is. St. Joe appeared a little more meticulous. I have heard Monticello is good also. Again, hate to jump headlong into a house, not to know what's what... THANKS again!!!!

[04JETTA]

Originally Posted by molliecat1

04JETTA---Thanks 4 the info!!

urrr welcome