PEORIA: advice needed (Chicago, Bloomington, Normal: upper-class, real estate, apartment)

[Wendy54321]

I have been offered a job in Peoria and am thinking of buying a modest home near Bradley U. I’ve been impressed with some of the stunning architecture, with Peoria’s cultural offerings and diversity, as well as cool aspects like the waterfront and warehouse district.

However, some of what I read these days about Peoria is not very good. Higher crime than 93% of all US cities, index of 5 out of 100 in crime with 100 being the safest. Violent crime and property crime are alarming.

Is Peoria a city that was great once upon a time but was allowed to decline? Are the little islands of Victorian homes just that: islands that are being encroached upon increasingly by the socioeconomic effects of unemployment, drugs and gang violence? Or is that mostly in poor neighborhoods? And yet there appears to be development, e.g., the warehouse district conversions to lofts.

I welcome your comments and advice. Wondering if I should simply stay in Chicago. The thing is, real estate prices seem much more attractive in Peoria. I could actually afford a home instead of renting an apartment. Anyway, Thank you!

[bairjohn]

I'm in Bloomington/Normal I go to Peoria quite a bit. I don't know where you live in Chicago so I can't speak to that, yet I have been looking for a home to retire for sometime. Peoria is not on my list even though prices are great believe me you get what you pay for in the most part. I will say the Bradley area is a tad better than most but Peoria has seriously declined, many large office buildings are close to completely or are vacant. The riverfront is really no place to hang alone.

There are many small towns around Peoria though, if you can drive. With that said I wouldn't live in or around Chicago either. The major issues are around Peoria itself, I would definitely take a look before deciding.

[Wendy54321]

Thank you, John! Very insightful.

[Caglee]

The area around Bradley University does have some nice older homes but the area is not immune to crime from the neighborhoods surrounding it. I personally wouldn't feel comfortable living there, but that's a decision you'll have to make for yourself. If you choose that neighborhood, I would recommend the streets and areas as close to adjacent to the university on the west and south sides as you can get. Moss Ave. was always very nice, and that would be the southern border. Stay as far east of Western Ave. as possible. The neighborhood north of Main St. and west of University St. was still somewhat nicer but I don't know how it is now, I haven't been there in almost a decade.

Living as close to campus as possible will give you the benefit of extra patrolling from the campus police department, but the entire area is kind of an island surrounded by more dangerous parts of the city. The public schools are terrible as well if you ever have children, most of the middle and upper-class families still left in the historic bluff districts around the campus all send their kids to private school. The Peoria public school system overall is not very good, many choose to live or attend school in neighboring Dunlap or Washington/Morton/Metamora to the east.

If I had to live in Peoria city limits, I would go as far north as I could. But then again I would never live in the city by choice.

[kazimierz]

I would recommend against buying a home near Bradley even though there are some nice older houses, as Caglee said it is most like an island surrounded by sketchy neighborhoods. Crime stats are awful here, but if you live in the northern part/Dunlap, you most likely will never encounter any of it, as most crime is drug/gang related

[columbusboy8]

Originally Posted by Wendy54321

I have been offered a job in Peoria and am thinking of buying a modest home near Bradley U. I’ve been impressed with some of the stunning architecture, with Peoria’s cultural offerings and diversity, as well as cool aspects like the waterfront and warehouse district.

However, some of what I read these days about Peoria is not very good. Higher crime than 93% of all US cities, index of 5 out of 100 in crime with 100 being the safest. Violent crime and property crime are alarming.

Is Peoria a city that was great once upon a time but was allowed to decline? Are the little islands of Victorian homes just that: islands that are being encroached upon increasingly by the socioeconomic effects of unemployment, drugs and gang violence? Or is that mostly in poor neighborhoods? And yet there appears to be development, e.g., the warehouse district conversions to lofts.

I welcome your comments and advice. Wondering if I should simply stay in Chicago. The thing is, real estate prices seem much more attractive in Peoria. I could actually afford a home instead of renting an apartment. Anyway, Thank you!

If Peoria is run by Democrats, you have your answer!! In other words, Peoria has seen better days---and nights! DON'T GO THERE!!

[Wendy54321]

I do appreciate everyone’s input very much.

I thank you all for warning me against making a huge mistake!

[Wendy54321]

Peoria is starting to sound like PEEORRHEA...

[jasperhobbs]

I would say if the job is a good move, then you can find a good place to live.

[Wendy54321]

Are you from Peoria, Jasper?