Moving to Macomb. HELP! (Peoria, Springfield: apartments, rental, hotels)

[JennaD8]

My boyfriend just got accepted into graduate school at Western Illinois and I believe I'm going to be moving with him, depending on if i can get a job or not.
I am a hospitality industry professional, I work only in the Hilton Family of Hotels (its just what i prefer and what I know) This would be Embassy, Hilton, Hampton, Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites, Waldorf Astoria. I have a very good job where I am at now but would like to move with him.
Anyways, I am used to cities, have always lived in small cities, and kind of need to be near a city for my profession. Macomb seems to have NOTHING. I cannot even find ONE listing for an apartment with pictures. I would love to live out in the country but still be close to a city with Hotels and not be more than 20 minutes away from Western Illinois. Ive looked at Peoria and Springfield and it looks like Peoria is closer to Macomb but I have NO idea where to live between the two. I see all these little towns on a map but have no idea what they are.
I live over 10 hours away right now so it would be a big trip for me to come out and look and these apartments that I find dont have websites or postings up on any rental sites. I know nothing about Illinois and especially nothing about these parts and i need help. I could work at the Hampton in Macomb but if they arent hiring i need a backup and would prefer not to work at a Hampton. Id like to be at most 45 minutes from Peoria, which would make me about 20 from macomb??

[waterlou]

Originally Posted by JennaD8

Id like to be at most 45 minutes from Peoria, which would make me about 20 from macomb??

Macomb is probably an hour and 20 minutes from Peoria minimum and thats if you speed a little. I don't believe there is any small town to live in that will give you that combination of distance between Macomb and a large city.

Have you considered looking for a job in Galesburg? It's population is around 30 thousand. I haven't been there for quite awhile but I would think they have a Hampton. Galesburg is close enough to Macomb to give you your 45/20 minute split and there are a few nice little towns in between to live in.

Something else to consider would be looking for a job in the Quad Cities - Davenport, Bettendorf, Moline, Rock Island. It's about the same distance from Macomb as Macomb is fom Peoria - about an hour and a half. The Quad Cities is a larger area as well and likely has better job prospects.

[linicx]

Macomb to Peora is probably closer to 75 miles via Bushnell and Canton. The three hotels in Macomb are Hampton inn, Holiday Inn and Best Western. The bad news is you will have a hard time finding any place to rent between Macomb and Peoria. The best you can hope for is around 50 miles - if you can find a place. The good news is if your bf is a graduate student he can apply for off-campus housing. Macomb is about 20,000 population. You are actually closer to Iowa than Peoria.

Illinois is the #1 and #2 producer of soybeans and corn in the nation. We also export cattle and hogs. In central Illinois there are four large cities (90-100000 +/- population). Peoria, Springfield, Champaign-Urbana and Bloominton-Normal. Everything in between is very small farm towns and 1000 acre farms. It will be difficult if not impossible to find a rental in any of the small farm towns - unless you are much closer to Peoria which defeats your purpose. Springfield is 83 miles from Macomb. Galesburg is about 50 miles, but there is no motel under the Hilton umbreslla there. Quad Cities is just under a 200 mile round trip to Moline and back to Macomb.

Distance wise, you might want to look at Fort Madison Iowa is 44 miles. You will find a Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, Fairfield Inn, Knights Inn, Kingsly Inn and Comfort Inn. (Many of the motels in Peoria area belong to the Mariott group.) Keokuk Iowa is 41 miles; you'll find the Hampton Inn. Both towns are around 12,000+/- population.

The nearest large area for a variety of food (over 100 restaurants) and entertainment (casino, waterpark, 2 very large annual festivals is Peoria/East Peoria with a combined population of about 150,000.

Major shopping (2 malls, 8 shopping centers, 10 grocers), activity and entertainment is Peoria. Peoria offerings range from the silly (Rubber Ducky Race) to the sublime (opera, symphony, ballet) and everything in between. If you are "game" you can sleep with the wolves (safely) in a private park, or you can take a relaxing weekend cruise on the Spirit of Peoria. Or just hang out: grab a segway, take a carriage ride or investigate all the nooks and crannys. .

[nyyfanatic85]

I live in Astoria, one of the very small towns about 35 miles southeast of Macomb. You are right, Macomb has no Hilton hotels whatsoever. If you really want to work at Hilton hotels, I would highly recommend either checking out Quincy or Fort Madison/Burlington, IA. You could live in one of the small towns (Carthage is great) and commute to your job if you find one. Cost of living is not bad; I found a 3BR/2 bathroom house for $350 a month a few years ago. Best of luck to you!