Help please!! Moving to Bloomington-Normal and know nothing about it!!

[M TYPE X]

OK, Illinois runs counter to the typical national situation on airport location.

[ohjodi]

I lived in B-N for 18 years until last year :-) I already miss it, and I'm only 40 miles away, lol

There is ALWAYS tons of things to do. I think the Thursday issue of the Pantagraph has the big entertainment section, with everything in B-N and Central Illinois. And buy the Saturday edition for the Homes section....there's a city map in it every week.

Buy your groceries at Schnucks. I worked there for ten years, so I'm biased, lol. Seriously, though....they have award-winning meat and seafood departments, as well as liquor and produce. The bakery is the best, and for everything floral, it's the greatest. Cheaper than a regular florist, and they deliver. Tell them that Jodi sent you, lol People will say that the store is expensive, but it's absolutely not. They have bigger sales, more stuff on sale every week, than any other store in town. And really, the meat is outstanding. I've seen other meat departments and I just about want to gag, lol. The new Schnucks on the north side of town is a bit smaller than the older Schnucks by Eastland Mall. I worked at that one. There's more selection there.

People are INCREDIBLY friendly in B-N, I've found.

One funny thing about B-N is that while traffic can be a bit heavy during the day, after 10:30 pm the town just DROPS DEAD, lol. Seriously, you could spend hours driving all over and not see more than a few cars, total. For a city close to 120,000 now, it's amazing that everyone is tucked in at night.

Some of my favorite places are the Normal Theater (vintage and independent films), Schooner's, Mugsy's, the Lucca Grill (pub food and italian). The Shakespeare Festival in August. The Third Sunday Market at the fairgrounds. the Sugar Creek Arts Festival in downtown Normal in July, and the Corn Fest in August, too.

Good luck! I think you'll really like B-N

[honestillinois]

Don't move to Bloomington Normal or Illinois for that matter. Illinois corruption!!!. Bloomington / Normal boring!!! Are you crazy? You obviously are going to work for State Farm like everyone one else in Bloomington. It gets old very fast. State Farm, good insurance company, BAD employer. I suppose you can use it as a stepping stone but get out as fast as you can!

Originally Posted by CM33

Hello out there~

I am hoping that someone can help me out a little. My spouse and I are moving to Bloomington-Normal next month due to a career change and we know very little about it. I am hoping someone can help me out with a few questions that I have:

1. Are there areas to stay away from when looking for housing? We won't be able to buy at first since we are moving with just 1 months notice so we are looking for somewhere to rent. We'd like somewhere in a safe area.

2. How is the safety of the area overall?

3. Is Bloomington-Normal a diverse community? We enjoy exploring other cultures and I am hoping that B-N is big enough that there will be some diversity. What is there to do in B-N?

4. Is there anything that you feel I should know overall about this area? Would it be better to look for something outside of town in the country or is within the city limits ok?

I do know where Veterans Parkway is in Bloomington, but beyond that, I haven't a clue. Oh! I know where Avanti's is...oh my gosh I'm looking forward to having them close by. I love their bread!

Thanks so much to anyone who can help me out. I'm trying to get this move planned on short notice so I am hoping that someone out there will have some helpful info.

Thanks!!

[Absodamnposilutely]

Originally Posted by honestillinois

Don't move to Bloomington Normal or Illinois for that matter. Illinois corruption!!!. Bloomington / Normal boring!!! Are you crazy? You obviously are going to work for State Farm like everyone one else in Bloomington. It gets old very fast. State Farm, good insurance company, BAD employer. I suppose you can use it as a stepping stone but get out as fast as you can!

This just shows how we all think differently. I work for State Farm, have for 26 years, and have now lived in Bloomington for almost three years. I LOVE it here.