Moving to Macomb, IL (Chicago, Peoria: apartments, rent, house)

[Atownsend]

I was just accepted into Western Illinois University and I plan on attending there in the fall. I'm a 26 year old african american single mother so I don't plan on living on campus but how is the elemantary schools out there? Is there shopping stores or anything entertainment for my daughter? Also, how is the rent out there and what streets should I avoid living on? I'm looking for a quiet two bedroom apartment. Thanks

[Mjaga251]

Macomb is very much a college town catered to the college students. Your shopping will consist of Walmart, and besides the small shops in the town square, that's about it. I lived down there while attending school. I am from the Chicagoland area, and living in Macomb was a complete culture shock to me.

There is a SMALL movie theater, and the newest thing put up is a Buffalo Wild Wings a few years ago. There's a SMALL YMCA, but other than that, I don't know of anything else for children to do.

I can only speak for the rent around the university, and apartments are usually $600-$1200 depending on what you're looking for. However, with a young daughter, you WILL NOT want to live around campus, unless you check out some of the on-campus living designed for parents. However, these buildings are very old.

With a child, I would surely stay off of Adams St, and ANYWHERE around the university for that matter. I'd say WIU is one of the worst places to bring a child, and that's because there is nothing to do out there, so all the students do is drink, and many times it's every night of the week. I don't say this to deter your decision, but strictly to inform you of the truth. There were many Wednesday nights I was annoyed with partyers outside my apartment. Good luck with your search!

[umpunk]

I know this reply will be too late for the original poster, but intended for future people moving to Macomb. I lived here for three years now and do agree with most of what Mjaga251 says - it's a very small town with little to do other than the bars. Not to say the place is totally horrible - decent school system, quite (other than college students), very easy to get around, and does have a Super Wal-Mart . There are bigger towns within a couple of hours drive (Quincy, Peoria, and the Quad Cities area).

The food choices are horrible (even for college town standards) - pizza joints, fast food, and some very weak local places. Shopping is a joke unless you are willing to drive to one of the above mentioned bigger cities. I've never heard anything positive about the apartment options. Housing costs are reasonable, although not as cheap as one would expect for the area. One huge negative is the property taxes - they are outrageous for you what you get (my 1,400 sq foot house pays close to $5k a year).

Overall, I would say Macomb is a very niche community. If you are looking to raise a family or are more of a homebody who enjoys small town living - it's a perfect fit. If you enjoy going out to eat, shopping, various cultural events, or bigger communities - I would look elsewhere.

[linicx]

This will be a terrible shock to any child raised any large Metro area and accustomed to instant gratification. The fact is Macomb is a farm town in an Agricultural state. It is surrounded by thousands of acres of corn, beans and cows. It is a self contained town with 4 grocery stores, super Walmart, K-Mart, most of the small town national retailer/food chains, new 4-plex movie theater, Family Y with pool, city swimming pool, Skateland, miniature golf, bowling, downtown shopping plus another half dozen shopping centers and a city bus. You will also find a life-flight capable hospital and doctors that include a pediatric group. City parks and lake are on the outskirts of town. the college is also large record repository for genealogical records.
Restaurants include national and regional. If you are not accustomed to farm cooks you will not like it, but it will in time. However, some of the best food is found in restaurant/bars with family dining. As a whole it is a decent place to raise a family

Macomb is a county seat. It is approximately an hour from Quincy. It is 90 minutes from Peoria or Springfield. Peoria is the largest area of the three and offers more for kids with river cruises and some other things.

[dkrase2]

No one that has posted it seems actually is from Macomb, and their only experience is from going to WIU. Having grown up in Macomb, I have a much different perspective. It is a very safe place for families, the elementary school system is good, as is the high school. There are several large parks. Some of the best places to eat are the locally ownes restaraunts, rather than the major chains. Theres not a lot there for recreational shopping but you can always find what you need and then some in town. The area around western is more college centric, and the college students are one of the most annoying parts of town. They drive like crazy people, they dont pay attention to cars coming when crossing the street around campus, they can get very loud and obnoxious on the weekends. Aside from the university, it is a very charming and friendly town. Having moved away to go to art school, and living in various places in the country, I would say it is the best plave I have ever lived to raise a family.

[umpunk]

Originally Posted by dkrase2

No one that has posted it seems actually is from Macomb, and their only experience is from going to WIU. Having grown up in Macomb, I have a much different perspective. It is a very safe place for families, the elementary school system is good, as is the high school. There are several large parks. Some of the best places to eat are the locally ownes restaraunts, rather than the major chains. Theres not a lot there for recreational shopping but you can always find what you need and then some in town. The area around western is more college centric, and the college students are one of the most annoying parts of town. They drive like crazy people, they dont pay attention to cars coming when crossing the street around campus, they can get very loud and obnoxious on the weekends. Aside from the university, it is a very charming and friendly town. Having moved away to go to art school, and living in various places in the country, I would say it is the best plave I have ever lived to raise a family.

To be fair, and I know it doesn't deter for your point of growing up in Macomb, I actually came to be a professor at WIU (not a student). Overall, I think the general view is the same for both of us - great place to raise a family, fairly boring place to live otherwise.

[linicx]

Ah yes, academics, nature and the boring opportunity to learn is a terrible burden to place on students and teachers with lofty ideals all, and a yearning for the prestigious ivy league schools.

Hint: If you want that you need the grades and the money, or the teaching credentials, classroom esperience and a doctorate. .

[umpunk]

Originally Posted by linicx

Ah yes, academics, nature and the boring opportunity to learn is a terrible burden to place on students and teachers with lofty ideals all, and a yearning for the prestigious ivy league schools.

Hint: If you want that you need the grades and the money, or the teaching credentials, classroom esperience and a doctorate. .

You have to stop being defensive on it. The idea is to give a random person moving to the area an accurate picture of Macomb. To say, "the opportunity to learn" doesn't help anybody - you could get that in any college town. For crying out loud, Monmouth and Quincy each have small colleges for people who simply want to expand their minds. Macomb is what Macomb is - an isolated town of 20,000 people. It's not the worst place in the world by any stretch of the imagination - especially if you enjoy small town living and want to raise a family. You have to recognize the drawbacks though - not a lot shopping, entertainment, or eating options. Those are major issues for people. Not everybody enjoys having a quite weekend at home (every weekend) or driving around the countryside looking at nature constantly. That's fine if you do, to each their own, but it's not for everyone. In fact, I know of several people who have spent their entire career at WIU and would not leave for any amount of money. I also know of others that would bolt in a nanosecond if a better offer came along - it's all about what you like.

[linicx]

Then those who hate should find a better offer and leave. The fact is most towns in Illinois south of I-80 are isolated and surrounded by corn, beans and cows. Those who want an education will not mind, while those that don't will find an excuse to whine. Learning requires five senses and a willingness. Look on the bright side: Missouri and freedom is closer than you think. .

[WIU-LEJA-Visitor]

I've visitied Macomb twice in the last three years for business purposes.
It is easily one of the worst, and most depressing cities I've ever been to,
Good luck to all 20,000 Macomb-ians. Lastly, it is spelled Q-U-I-E-T (Quiet)
You would try to enjoy a QUIET night in, if not for the obnoxious college kids.