Moving to Watseka, input appreciated (Chicago, Champaign: rentals, hotels, houses)

[Ducks16]

I'm moving my family from out of state in the next month for a job in Watseka. Specifically need to know of any short term rental suggestions however, any and all input on the area would be greatly appreciated. Such as: suggested/preferable neighborhoods within a reasonable commute to work, community life, etc.

[chet everett]

What sort of work do you do?

Watseka is rural. Like Gilman to its east it was laid out back when railroads crisscrossed Illinios to haul agricultural goods to ports in Chicago and along the rivers.

Today Gilman has direct access to I-57 but Watseka lies east along Rt 24 so together with Crescent City which lies between 'em all kind of make up a semi-shared unit.

The Iroquois Memorial Hospital serves a wide area and is probably one of the bigger employers in the region, along with the court house / county government. There are bigger hospitals in Kankekee and Renneselar IN...

[Drover]

It would help to know where you're coming from so we have some kind of comparison to go by.

[linicx]

If you are a seasonal employee I think you may have a difficult time finding short term rental except at a motel. Bur you might be able to negotiate a six-month lease.

[Rabflmom]

Originally Posted by Ducks16

I'm moving my family from out of state in the next month for a job in Watseka. Specifically need to know of any short term rental suggestions however, any and all input on the area would be greatly appreciated. Such as: suggested/preferable neighborhoods within a reasonable commute to work, community life, etc.

First thing you need to do before moving there is check out which sides of town are effected by the floods the most. Stay away from them. You will see many homes sitting high in the air on blocks because of the last bad flood. South East side of town generally doesn't have as much flooding unless you get far South by the creek.

For a rental, I advise just calling one of the realtors and let them show you some places.

Watseka is definitely a small town. Family there tend to spend a lot of time in Kankakee for shopping, doctors, etc...Chicago is a great day trip and you can go to plays,zooz,concerts, etc there or in Champaign at the University etc..

[JerichoHW]

Watseka...definitely an interesting place to get a new job, thats for sure. It's the county seat of the highly conservative and rural Iroquois County. There is a nice mall in Bradley/Bourbonnais and some good dining options up that way as well. In terms of rentals in the area I would have no idea, but if what Linicx says is right, you might want to check into the hotels/motels in Gilman which is Watseka's neighboring city and also the crossroads of I-57 and US-45.

If you are looking for local rentals then potter rentals is a good place to start:
PotterRentals.com

You might have to settle on living in Gilman, but it's really not the different then Watseka and it has access to the Interstate which is a plus.

[jmkusters]

I just moved to Watseka, IL in Nov, of 2011. I have been here for 6 months and it is very nice. I never lock my doors and everyone waves at you. shopping and good restauraunts are not so good but an hour or less drive away will get you to anything you need. very nice and clean. And If your looking for a house. They have some amazing houses/mansions here and very inexpensive.

[pvande55]

When I was in college I used to stop there on the way to and from Chicago. Seems like a decent little town.