Looking to move someplace else in the Midwest: Illinois? (Chicago: lawyers, house)

[stlouisan]

Hi there. I currently am planning on potentially moving to another Midwestern state besides the one I'm in, and since Illinois is just a hop and skip across the river, I figured I'd ask about that. I'm in the process of taking the CPA exam, and was wondering what the pros and cons were of working in towns like Springfield, Champaign, Peoria, Carbondale, Rockford, or Chicago were like. What's life like in these places (outside of Chicago)...are people a lot more laid back, etc.? I want to know all about the various smaller cities in Illinois plus Chicago.

[Maintainschaos]

I was born in Peoria but grew up in Springfield, so I can mostly only speak to Springfield.

Springfield is a relatively sleepy and quiet city (~120,000 people in the city proper) for the most part. It is located right in the center of the state and is part of the loose agglomeration of cities that form central Illinois (a million or so people in population in total). Springfield is basically dominated by white collar jobs. The state government, politicians, lawyers and doctors (largely forming the mid-Illinois medical district) contribute to a stable work force in the area that, even at the height of the recession, had unemployment several percentage points lower than the state average.

The city does enjoy certain amenities like a redeveloping downtown with the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, farmer's markets, new parks, new breweries, and several festivals downtown throughout the year. There is TONS of civil war-era history in the area that can be neat to explore. The city has quick and easy access to downtown St. Louis and Chicago several times daily on Amtrak (super convenient and inexpensive); however, the airport is kind of small and leaves a little to be desired. Most people drive to work, and traffic is never bad especially compared to StL or Chicago. My parents have a nice, large, inexpensive house on the north side of the city where they've got a large swath of property that abuts a river and you can see the stars as far as the eye can see at night. You can find everything from little cottages <$100,000 in price to multimillion dollar homes with lakeside property. In general, COL in central Illinois is one of the cheapest in the nation, so most people own their own house. Groceries are also relatively inexpensive, and the city benefits by its close proximity to several farms (produce and animal), so there is good access to locally-grown food in several forms.

The biggest con to Springfield is that it is nearly the antithesis of Chicago, but then again, that could be its biggest pro, too...

[MUTGR]

Originally Posted by stlouisan

Hi there. I currently am planning on potentially moving to another Midwestern state besides the one I'm in, and since Illinois is just a hop and skip across the river, I figured I'd ask about that. I'm in the process of taking the CPA exam, and was wondering what the pros and cons were of working in towns like Springfield, Champaign, Peoria, Carbondale, Rockford, or Chicago were like. What's life like in these places (outside of Chicago)...are people a lot more laid back, etc.? I want to know all about the various smaller cities in Illinois plus Chicago.

I know you are looking for expert opinion from the locals, not a fellow St. Louisan, but having spent some time in Peoria over the past few years, I found it to my liking. Reminded me of St. Louis quite a bit. Loved the architecture, the neighborhoods, the riverfront, saw some great parks.

[linicx]

Peoria is the largest MSA outside of Chicago and south of 1-80. You won't find Trader Joe's but you will find Costco. You won't find Whole Foods but you will find Naturally yours and a dozen other food suppliers as well as over 100 restaurants. Peoria is a STEM city, and a river city. There is usally some type of family event or entertainment most weekends. The largest parks average 500 acres. There are several different social groups, many different religions and an active art community. If you like to shop there are two malls and a half dozen or more small shopping centers. If you ilke sports you can find just about everything from Sports complex to basketball to bow hunting to skeet. Entertainment from movies to Broadway to fairs and fairs, museums, historic trolly tours, 4K run, car shows, TT Finals, etc... Restaurants range from low-brow to high-brow. Peoria nightlife is generally quiet on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. You can find sports bar to brewpub and everything between. Five bridges carry traffic over the river; SW, NE or N. there is a bridge for it. If you like animals you can find two zoological parks. Politically and socially Peoria is not a one note town. Generally the people are friendly. If you like Peoria there is a place for you. If you are ultra conservative you will probably like other towns better. .

[chicagobears]

Originally Posted by stlouisan

Hi there. I currently am planning on potentially moving to another Midwestern state besides the one I'm in, and since Illinois is just a hop and skip across the river, I figured I'd ask about that. I'm in the process of taking the CPA exam, and was wondering what the pros and cons were of working in towns like Springfield, Champaign, Peoria, Carbondale, Rockford, or Chicago were like. What's life like in these places (outside of Chicago)...are people a lot more laid back, etc.? I want to know all about the various smaller cities in Illinois plus Chicago.

Just BEWARE of our high property tax here in Illinois especially the closer you get to the Chicago area.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by chicagobears

Just BEWARE of our high property tax here in Illinois especially the closer you get to the Chicago area.

The City of Chicago's property taxes aren't bad, it's some of the suburbs that will kill you.

[cubssoxfan]

AND I contend that Cook Co, compared to Lake, McHenry, DuPage, Will is also less.

[beardown54]

I've lived in Champaign-Urbana for 5 years, and I grew up in Chicagoland. In my experience C-U is a bit more laid back than Chicago, but less so than the rest of Downstate IL... "Microurban" is the term I'm looking for. The University of Illinois is by far the largest employer. You get above-average entertainment for a MSA of 230,000 because of the U of I, including Big Ten football, basketball, and concerts at the Assembly Hall.