Relocating From Florida To The Newton, Il Area (Chicago, Champaign: apartments, rental)

[TONYR30]

I WAS WONDERING IF ANY ONE COULD HELP ME ON LOCATING A SITE ON JOB OPENINGS IN THE NEWTON AREA OR CLOSE TO THAT AREA. ALSO APTMENT OR HOME LISTINGS FOR THAT AREA. ( RENTAL ONLY) IT WILL BE A FEW MONTHS TILL I MAKE THE MOVE, BUT I AM TRYING TO GET A HEAD START ON THE JOB MARKET UP THERE. WOULD BE GREATFUL TO ANY HELP..THANKS..

YOU MAY ALSO REACH ME AT AJR29@BELLSOUTH.NET

[pandagal]

Home listings are easily retrieved from realtor.com or you can try apartmentfinder.com. I don't know if newton would put any apartments on line because it is so small but you can probably add surrounding areas and get better results. If you are not confined to the newton area you might think about Effingham or thereabout because it is larger and you might be able to find work with more ease. Or you commute somewhere depending on what you do for a living and where you'll need to look for a job. With gas prices being so high, I wouldn't think you want to drive to Champaign or anything. Sorry I couldn't be more help in the employment section.

[aus10]

You might check the Robinson Daily News (I believe they have on-line classifieds). Effingham, Olney and Robinson are your best bets with newspapers, realtors and shopping. It would help if we knew what kind of job you are looking to pursue? I grew up within 30 minutes of Newton and to be honest...there's not much there. Especially coming from FL where there is a BOA/Walgreens/Eckerd/Publix on every street corner..... I'll be glad to help answer any questions you might have though......

[TONYR30]

i am really not picky on what i do for work. i have done alot of differant jobs..i have been towing for the past few years but, not really looking to do that if i don't have to...do they have any good warehouse jos that pay some what good?

[aus10]

Well...to be quite frank, Newton doesn't have a lot of industry. Jasper County as a whole has a very high unemployment rate. I am guessing here, but I would hesitate to guess that the biggest employers in Jasper Co are the Newton Power Plant and Norris Electric. Effingham (Effingham County) has the most industry close to Newton and they have a very helpful Chamber of Commerce Web site. Olney (Richland County) has a Wal-mart Distribution center that pays pretty well. Robinson (Crawford County) has the "Heath" plant (now owned by Hershey, I believe) and Marathon Refinery. And a little farther to the southeast is Lawrenceville (Lawrence County) which has Trim Masters which makes automobile parts for Toyota and Ruckers Candies (actually in Bridgeport).

As unfortunate as it is, Southeast Illinois has taken its lumps over the last few years with many large employers pulling out. Consequently, the pay at most of these places can only be desribed as fair at best. Don't expect much different than Florida wages, which I know to be notoriously low compared to the NE and Western parts of the U.S.

The lifestyle however, and cost of living in SE Illinois is wonderful. A much slower, rural pace, lots of friendly folks, and very reasonable housing. (Some might even say dirt cheap!) Very agriculture oriented, with somewhat mild winters, somewhat hot summers, and absolutely beautiful spring and fall.

Hope this helps you... Best of luck!

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by TONYR30

i am really not picky on what i do for work. i have done alot of differant jobs..i have been towing for the past few years but, not really looking to do that if i don't have to...do they have any good warehouse jos that pay some what good?

Have you considered Chicago's western suburbs? They pay great and there are lots of jobs available in all areas. If the area is too expensive for you, you can live in Sycamore or maybe Elburn and make the 40 minute commute to the far western burbs like I used to do (its not bad at all). Sycamore and Elburn seem to be alot cheaper than the suburbs, even though Elburn is growing like crazy now too and will soon be swallowed up by the monster that is Chicago.

I just remembered that Target just build a MONSTER distribution center in DeKalb somewhere, and I believe theyre still hiring, they should pay real good too.

[TONYR30]

my girlfriend is already up there. and she is in the newton area. that is why i am in that area.. i know there is a walmart warehousebut does anybody know where it is?

[aus10]

Originally Posted by TONYR30

i know there is a walmart warehousebut does anybody know where it is?

In Olney. From Newton....take 130 south to Olney. At the crossroad where 130 and US 50 meet go west on 50. About a mile or so... it's so big...you can't miss it.

[TONYR30]

Thank You Very Much..

[CrochetCrazy]

Aus10 says:

"The lifestyle however, and cost of living in SE Illinois is wonderful. A much slower, rural pace, lots of friendly folks, and very reasonable housing. (Some might even say dirt cheap!) Very agriculture oriented, with somewhat mild winters, somewhat hot summers, and absolutely beautiful spring and fall."

Exactly how are the winters in Southern Illinois? What is considered "mild" to
SE Illinois-ans as compared to Northern Illinois? Do you generally have "White Christmases"? When you do get some snow -- is it 8 inches at a crack or
just a dusting at 1-2 inches? Does Winter arrive late and Spring arrive
early? Can you be specific about the weather down there?

Thanks for any and all information you might give.

Crochetcrazy