Moving to Peoria - looking for info on Dunlap, Morton, Washington (Chicago: city hall, house)

[we'reonthemoveagain]

Hello :-) My family is relocating to the Peoria area this summer. We will have only 4 days to find a house, so I am trying to gather as much information beforehand as possible. We are focusing our search on the Dunlap, Morton, and Washington areas. We have already determined these areas to have good school districts. Our next area of concern is which town will offer the most in terms of quality of life/family activities. We have preschool-aged children. Are all areas pretty much equal, as far as park districs/activities, or is one better than the other? I do not want to have to drive 10/15 minutes into town for shopping and activities. Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

[linicx]

I am going to mention some things about the area that can affect where you live. You are moving to central Illinois, specifically to the Illinois River Valley. It is roughly 97 miles long and is comprised of 7 counties. Peoria is the dominate city. It is built in a valley surrounded by cliffs, forests, and high rolling hills. Five bridges connect Peoria and Tazewell Counties. This is a car dependent area. IL is an AG state with thousands of acres in crop and many small farm towns. All of our communities evolved from a farm community.

There is roughly 350,000 residents within 5 miles of the Peoria Courthouse. You will find familiar stores such as Costco and Old Navy. You will also find a dozen grocery stores, two malls, six or more shopping centers, plus nearly every major religion in America is represented in Peoria. Dunlap is the smallest with a population of under 5,000. Morton is 3-4 times larger than Dunlap. Washington is 7-8 times.

Peoria offers the oldest, largest, park district in the state, four hospitals which does include the Children's Hospital of Illinoisit treats children -0 to age 18 pre-birth). This only hospital in the state that treats more critically ill children in Peoria is locate in Chicago.

IL education. By and large K-8 kids do well. Most public high schools fail to meet fed standards in math and science. It is a matter of public record. Private, home and religious schools are not required to submit test scores.

The three communities you mention are white collar, middle to upper income. The Village of Dunlap is the smallest, followed by the Village of Morton. The City of Washington the largest and offers the most local conveniences. none have a hospital. None have life-flight capability that I am aware of. Washington does have EMT. In terns of driving one can live in Morton and be at the Peoria City Hall in 10-20 minutes depending on weather, bridge work, etc.. .

Driving is more the issue than the location. There are two 4-lane interstate routes in the Peoria area. I-74 passes through Morton, East Peoria and Peoria. The majority of the other routes are two-lane state and county roads.

You might look at Peoria Heights. It's 2 miles fro a 400 acre park with zoo and free movies during the summer. Three miles from major shopping. One stoplight from the nearest hospital. Three stoplights and one stop sign from the children's hospital (from the 4-way stop on Prospect. It is a middle to upper income community. .

The K-12 school tests out the same as the schools districts you picked, and it is the same type of committed family community.The question is whether you want to live urban and be near performing arts, museums, large community events, networking opportunities, or rural and closer to crops and farms? There is an advantage and disadvantage to both.

The after hour clinics, and the vast majority of pediatricians, OB/GYN, dentists, eye and ear care, heart, lungs, are in Peoria. OSF is the only hospital in the state that is affiliated with Easter Seals, Shriner's Hospitals, and St. Jude Research Hospitals. The single item that sets this village apart is that. Peoria surrounds it, yet it has an independent government .

People lament the problems in the Peoria School District. Yet Peoria offers a gifted school, autistic school, special ed for special kids, and college prep. Peoria has 3 public high schools, a Catholic high school, two universities, medical school, two nursing schools, Nearby you find a Top25 Liberal Arts college and a univeristh with a top NA actuary program.

Four days to find a house is a tough schedule. The state is humid. Peoria area moreso due to ther river. Hidden mold spores can be a big issue in any empty house that does not have utilities turned on. An independent inspection by a state certified House Inspector is in order too.

The good news is the Peoria COL is stable and affordable.

[we'reonthemoveagain]

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. The information is helpful. I have actually considered Peoria Heights, but there did not seem to be any listings in our price range. We also are still considering Peoria proper. Thanks again!