Peoria, Illinois apartments (Chicago, East Peoria, Dixon: rental, lofts, condo)

[tibbs66]

Hi everyone,

I am possibly moving to Peoria next month and would like to know what your thoughts are about nice, safe rental properties/apartments there. I am a single female in my early forties and my salary will be VERY good for a single, no children person. I would prefer a two-three bedroom and am planning on getting a pet or two. Have been looking on the Internet some of the places on the riverfront and downtown but am also looking at places that are further out. The position is white collar at Caterpillar but am not sure which location that would be? I am willing to spend over $1000 per month if the place is worth it.

If you any questions or need more information before giving an answer, please ask and I will respond.

Thanks!

[mdand3boys]

Go North - Look into the many new apartments in the Alta area or near Lake of the Woods areas, along state route 40 (Knoxville Avenue). It is a very safe area. Your neighbor just might work in the same building downtown as you do. CAT HR staff can also help direct you. Just ask.

[linicx]

Knoxville is a very busy major State Route without a plethora of stoplights. Where you work will dictate where you live. If you work in the global office the loft or condo may be two blocks from work. I believe the twin towers is three blocks. The problem will be finding a dog park. It is at least 20 blocks in any direction. The new museum is in the same area; construction is on going and will be for some time. Jefferson and Adams are one-way IL State Route 29.

A house with a fenced yard may be a better fit if you have dogs. Mapleton, Morton and Mossville are 20-25 miles from the center of downtown Peoria. East Peoria is 7-10 miles. Bus service is quite good but you may have to transfer from downtown if you want to shop at the malls. You can also find a limo or taxi too.

You can get a short lease while you house hunt. Peoria does not have suburbs as Chicago does. It is has subdivisions. There are a couple areas I personally like. These are older, middle to upper income areas with very well cared for homes. In some cities "older" is a red flag. Not so in Peoria. .
... Rolling Acres: The lots are generally larger, houses are 2-3 bedroom. Many have an attached garage and basement. The exit streets are University, Northmoor and US 150. It is near both malls and all major shopping.
... Willow Knolls is a small, private, upscale between University and Knoxville. Exiting during rush hour can be frustrating, though. It is in the heart of all shopping.
... The Village of Peoria Heights off Prospect Avenue between Lake and Knoxville. (Not South of Lake) Upscale, trendy, boutiques and in a beautiful natural setting. It offers city services in the county plus it's four miles or less from everything. Call the PH Clerk. She has the list of available units.

You can rent a secure suite designed for business visitors to Peoria that offers gated parking. It is temporary and not far from the global office.

Do call HR. CAT has a wide reach. The problem is this. Apparently Peoria apartment management as a whole has a lengthy approval process that can take 4-12 weeks. HR should be able to guide you though this process.

CEFCU*is the CAT employee credit union. Offices and ATMs are convenient. Car and home loans are very attractive. Your transactions are secure. CEEFCU does pay dividends. This credit union acts like a bank but it is not governed by FDIC banking rules which allows for more flexibility. Accounts are guaranteed to $250K each.
... Ideal Troy is a laundry/dry cleaner who has been cleaning and pressing for nearly 100 years in Peoria.
... Walgreen's and CVS are the national pharmacies. There are smaller locals too.
... Kroger's Grocery store, Alwan Brothers, Raber's Meat, Pottstown Deli, Dixon's Fish, and Trefzger's Bakery (near Peoria Heights, have all been in Peoria 70 -100+ years. You can also find all natural, Kosher and specialty foods.
... Every major religion (including Eastern Catholic), and some you never heard of, has a home in Peoria.
... You can enjoy Performing Artists, Visual Artists, and one of the oldest Juried Art Fair's in Illinois in Peoria, as well as carriage ride, river cruise, historical trolly tour, state-of-art fitness center, boutique feather beds, casino, and the award winning Peoria Park District and Zoo.
... Peoria has several country clubs, a yacht club and a business club as well as live Jazz, micro brewpub and a chocolate martini. The Cornstock Theatre is the 4th oldest summer playhouse in America. Peoria Players is nearly 100 years old.
... If you like action there is farm club pro sports, and various races from the Rubber Ducky Race to the TT Finals in the fall.
... There are 100 or more restaurants in Peoria and nearly as many events. The regional state fair in Peoria - the Heart of Illinois Fair - is over 50 years old.
... You can find a dozen grocers and independent vendors, two malls and half dozen shopping centers and specialties in the International Market and the seasonal open air fresh farm grown foods in the Metro Center.
... In addition to the two theaters, you'll find an indy theater that features foreign films, multiplex theaters and a comedy club. There is also a variety of social clubs.

I believe you will find that regardless of your lifestyle or personal beliefs Peoria will fit. It generally more low key on Sun, Mon, and Tues nights.

Welcome. If you have questions just ask.
Do call CAT HR, and the Clerk at Peoria Heights. first.

[tibbs66]

thanks guys for the replies...very informative. my younger brother used to live in Peoria and said to also look into riverside rental properties such as lofts, etc...he said they were converting warehouses into residential. Any information or thoughts on these types of residences?

[tibbs66]

And would riverside properties be safe? Obviously it would be a shorter commute to work but if it's not safe I would rather live out aways and drive the 20 minutes or so to get to work.

[mdand3boys]

Originally Posted by tibbs66

thanks guys for the replies...very informative. my younger brother used to live in Peoria and said to also look into riverside rental properties such as lofts, etc...he said they were converting warehouses into residential. Any information or thoughts on these types of residences?

The problem is the lack of things like grocery stores in the river areas.

[linicx]

The riverside is downtown in an isolated area of the waterfront. If you are working at CAT global hq no a problem most of the time. The problem comes later at night when all the locals clear out. The only information I could find about the riverfront warehouse renovations seem to indicate it is business and retail and not apartments. How many apartments are actually available in a four block area of CAT on Adams Street is questionable at best.

This I think is 3 blocks from CAT HQ. There is parking here and at CAT. In lousy weather you can drive. This is a very safe building near a very good networking club and an awesome steak house.

Welcome to Twin Towers Place, Peoria, Illinois

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