Monmouth and Galesburg (Chicago, Rockford, Peoria: real estate, apartment complexes, rental homes)

[JKLM]

Our family (2 adults, 1 kid) is looking to move for a temporary (2 year) job located in Monmouth, IL. We are not finding anything available to rent in Monmouth, and only apartment complexes available in Galesburg. Does does anyone have tips on how to find a decent place to rent in Monmouth or Galesburg? We are from Chicago, and prefer older places in decent condition. We thought we'd be able to find a house to rent, but are not having any luck.

Also, any tips on Galesburg neighborhoods that might in any way recreate the walkable life we live in Chicago?

THANKS!

[linicx]

Monmouth is a college town. This should get you going.

Homes for rent in Monmouth, IL | Rental homes in Monmouth | Apartment and houses for rent | Homes for Lease | houses for rent | ForLeaseByOwner.com | Monmouth Illinois Home Rentals | Rent Homes
Monmouth Apartments for Rent - Find Apartments in Monmouth, IL (http://monmouth-illinois.apartmenthomeliving.com/ - broken link)
Galesburg Apartments for Rent - Galesburg Apartments Reviews and Ratings
Galesburg Apartments for Rent - House Rentals in Galesburg, IL

[JKLM]

Yes, I have already seen this listings for apartment complexes in Galesburg, but I am looking for other options (houses, duplexes, small apartment blgs in old neighborhoods). These options do not seem to be listed in any of the usual places (the sites you mention, Craigs List, area newspapers).

Monmouth is a college town that actually happens to not have any (or more than one) rental properties...

[linicx]

Housing usually comes free in June and july and fills by August. Pehaps a realtor can help you. Most have rental properties and know where other properties ara found.

[JKLM]

Thanks, so maybe things will loosen up soon? As of right now, all of the Monmouth real estate agents tell me that there is nothing to rent, and don't give much hope for the future. One even said "this is the hardest town in America to find rentals". The only leads we are finding are really random and through the college. It's very difficult trying to move somewhere like this on short notice!

[linicx]

Truthfully, the problem you are running into is corn and cows. Illinois is the #2 corn producing state behine Iowa. Monmouth is in the thick of it. You are 50 miles from QC or Brimfield, or 67 from Peoria. Everything in between is farms, ranches, and small farming towns. Monmouth is a 100 miles or more from Galena, Quincy, Sterling, LaSalle-Peru. It is 86 miles from Bettendorf, Iowa. The only advantage you have is 1-74 and I-80.

The other possible options are Galesburg at about 17 miles or Abington, IL and Burlington, IA at about 30 miles each. Given a choice - if you cannot find a unit in Monmouth or Galesburg, I would probably opt for Burlington on US 34. The population is somewhere around 30,000 and it has the advantage of being a river town as opposed to landlocked and surrounded by farms and ranches.

When you live out in the middle of IL you only have two real concerns: snow and flooding. A 4x4 is almost a necessity for country driving in the winter. Not all bridges are passible when the Mississippi River floods. Knowing the bridges that are passible is mandatory.

It is possilble the employed family member will need to work and continue to hunt for a unti while the child and parent stays behind until suitable arrangements can be made. It is not an option most families want to take. .

[Peter Dodd]

We are thinking of moving to the Monmouth area (for personal reasons). What is employment like in the area? Is there a lot of crime? Is there anything to do there? How hard is it to get around in winter? Is it a dog-friendly area? Thanks.

[linicx]

As you've posted similar questions in several forums I'm going to give you and over-view of Illinois in a nutshell.

Cook County is the second largest county in America. It''s county seat is the 3rd largest city in America. Over half of the state's population of 12M resides in Chicago or Cook County. Above I-80 are two large cities Rockford, and Rock Island which is part of the Quad City area on the Mississippi River.

Between Cook County/1-80 and St. Louis/I-55 area six communities in Central Illinois that recollectively approacing 1 M population. These are Peoria, Bloomington-Normal, Springfield and Urbana-Champaign. This is a mix of government, business, large universities and a STEM city. If you have a skilled trade or a degree you and your wife will probably find a jobs. If you are lower wage the other opportunities are probably restaurants, maintenance, home care, day labor, local truck driver, grocer, and/or hospitals.

Other than large communities the balance of Illinois is crop or livestock production, wind farms, tree farms, SOHO, small businesses, with some manufacturing scattered through the state. In between the concrete and asphalt you will find small farm towns with few rentals.

When it comes to weather Illinois can have scorching hot summers with high humidity and subzero temperatures with deep snow. Other years are moderate. You can see it all or none in an given year. The farther north you move from central Illinois the shorter the growing season. Tornado and flood are common but neither is necessarily annual in all counties. This year rains brought the worst flooding in over 50 years. Don't buy a house in a floodplain or one without a useable basement.

The crime is central Illinois isn't any worse than any other area in America. Most crime is gang related and specific to certain neighborhoods. Don't live there! The COL is moderate.

Real Estate taxes stay local to pay for schools, city and county services, parks, hospitals, libraries, local roads, etc.. State Income Tax is a flat 5%. Groceries are 1%. Local gas stations are today $3.39- $3.45/gal.. IL has pretty good medical care and K-8 schools. All high schools have the same problems. They are filled with teenagers.

With 12M population you find every possible: lifestyle, political and religious view, and racial combination. Most farm towns are 96% or higher White race that are generally Christian. Geographically Illinois has many large bodies of water including lakes and rivers.

Good luck with your search. Monmouth is nice small town with a small college. It is what it is. Like most small towns it is isolated.

[pianist1972]

The OP is from Chicago and asked about housing in Galesburg/Monmouth.

[linicx]

The OP also asked the same in other forums. There is plenty of information on Monmouth in these threads.

Originally Posted by pianist1972

The OP is from Chicago and asked about housing in Galesburg/Monmouth.