Single Mom Starting Over, Please Help

[ic-epi]

Originally Posted by feelnpurdy

I am a single mother of 4 children, 19, 16, 14 and 3 years old. I live in Peoria Illinois and I am looking to move to Ky or Nc. Here is my problem. I don't know anyone in either of these states so I don't know where to begin to start to look for a place or town to stay. I currently pay 700 dollars a month for rent for a 5 bedroom, about 200 dollars a month for phone, cable and internet service and about 300 for lights water and gas. So I can afford about 1200 a month for living. I work as a cust. service rep and a server and make about 2100 a month. I stay in a high crime area but my place is nice but the schools suck here. There is NOTHING for the kids to do here but get in trouble. Can any one suggest a city that is well diverse, that is a family kind of place and will not cost me an arm and a leg to stay??? Or at least can someone direct me on how to start looking for info on good rentals and areas to move to??? any help would be nice!

I'm from the Midwest (eastern/central Iowa) and am familiar with Peoria. Are you specifically looking to get out of the midwest, or just to get out of Peoria? If the latter, how about looking at smaller IL or Iowa towns? The crime would be much lower, cost of living lower, and schools can be good. Why haul all the way to KY or NC unless you have family there, or there is another reason?

[jhf2140]

Originally Posted by ic-epi

I'm from the Midwest (eastern/central Iowa) and am familiar with Peoria. Are you specifically looking to get out of the midwest, or just to get out of Peoria? If the latter, how about looking at smaller IL or Iowa towns? The crime would be much lower, cost of living lower, and schools can be good. Why haul all the way to KY or NC unless you have family there, or there is another reason?

I was wondering the same things myself. Seems living in the midwest would be alot cheaper, have lower crime, and better schools.

I hope you find what your looking for.

Have you checked out North Dakota? Alot of customer service jobs here, the cost of living is lower, crime is near non-existent and the schools are great. Great place to raise kids.

[jak88]

Originally Posted by jhf2140

I was wondering the same things myself. Seems living in the midwest would be alot cheaper, have lower crime, and better schools.

I hope you find what your looking for.

Have you checked out North Dakota? Alot of customer service jobs here, the cost of living is lower, crime is near non-existent and the schools are great. Great place to raise kids.

Are you serious? Taxes in Illinois, no matter what part, are ridiculous. Get out of Illinois as fast as you can. I would know, I live here. I'm originally from Kentucky and the cost of living is A LOT lower, and the crime rates are not high at all. My old town of Taylor Mill has had zero rapes or murders in the last decade, and averages out around 30-40 burgluries a year which is quite low.

Escape Illinois, and do it as fast as you can. Kentucky isn't that far from Illinois anyway, so if you ever want to visit it is not a bad commute (five-six hours).

[actyourwage]

feelnpurdy:
I'm a mom of 3 so God bless you for having 4! We live in Northern Kentucky just outside of Cincinnati, OH and it's lovely here. We have lived in several different areas and I haven't run into a bad school yet. Some areas to research would be: Fort Mitchell, Burlington (best schools), Union (great schools), Independence (very country-like) and Florence. From what I can tell you can rent a 4 bdrm/3 bth home for around $1,000 if you look real hard. Lucky for you we are in a Real Estate bubble crash so there are MANY people out there right now who are sitting with empty rentals. Find one you like and negotiate with them.

Like someone else said, Northern Ky is a great place for kids! LOTS of activities like fall festivals, fireworks for almost any holiday/occassion, VERY nice parks around every corner, county/city sponsored dances/socials for youth and the people are super nice. We have a large 3bdrm/3bth home and pay around $200 for electric and about $60 for gas (we have 2 fireplaces so that can get pricey). Gas prices run about $2.89 give or take a quarter.

I recommend the area also because of it's close proximity to Cincinnati. They have the Reds baseball, Bengals football, a world class symphony orchestra, opera company, ballet company, etc. And a great zoo! Oh, and in Newport, Ky (almost to Cincy) there's a fantastic Aquarium. I could go on and on. Google the cities and read everything. Email some of the houses for rent in the area and start negotiating with landlords/owners.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

[Robin Thacker]

Hi. Ashland KY is where you want to move to. It has everything that you are looking for and plenty more. The schools are really good and there is plenty to do. This area is a Tristate so you have 3 state from which to choose for entertainment, Ky, OH which is where I live now, and WV. I grew up in Ashland and we as kids were never bored. We could go to town to the movies or go to the county for the country side. Good luck with your move and keep in touch with me. I'd be happy to help you in any way I can.

[traceydanine]

I moved here from the Cincinnati, Ohio area and it is very affordable. My two bedroom apt. is only $690 per month and it is safe and friendly. My electric bill is about $100.00 per month, cable about $80.00, water runs about 40.00, not too bad. I love this area because I am close to Cincinnati, but I have the beautiful rolling hills. The school is great; they have an awesome music program and my child is special needs and he has done well here. Good luck to you.

[tomocox]

Your one word "diverse" raises a question. Unfortunately, I don't have a problem with diversity, but I have found that most people who put that word into their housing criteria generally aren't looking for diversity. You may be one of the few truly looking for a homogenated mix of races, religions, traditions, etc., but in all my years of being a real estate professional, I have not found that word to be an accurate description. I also have found that most of Kentucky's best places to raise children are seldom described as "diverse".

[goldenmom7500]

Hmm, my neighborhood is diverse in terms of how people got here. Some are from the city or Kentucky, and others are from other places in the country and the world. This creates some dynamism and can also mean that someone new will be accepted more easily ...

[Floridahater]

I believe that many people would be referring to the fact that many have not found the multicultural utopia envisioned by liberals to be such a wonderful place in which to reside. Actually, I have found that those moving to states such as KY or ME, et al are searching for commonality of culture and a quiet life. The outsiders coming in do not want to change the status quo; rather, they desire to embrace the type of life demonstrated in the area where they want to relocate. After living in MD, CA, FL I fully understand the desire of many to move from the diverse so called "utopias." In many ways, these "utopias" have become nightmares. Sorry I sound so pessimistic (I'm a bit of a pragmatist), but I've seen it all and I've "been there done that" over and over again.

[dolpin913]

I would try either Paducah,KY or Mayfield KY--- Not alot of jobs but its low cost of living--- people are great here, and weather isn't really cold but 2 months out of the year, Jan. & Feb. not much snow at all---Lots of shopping ----Lots of help for single mom's...... Check them on the web.......
I move here from Rockford, IL about 12 years ago ---Now my kids are grown and I have great grandkids! I love it here!