Possibly Moving To Springfield, IL (WARNING: KINDA LONG) (Chicago, Naperville: new house, neighborhoods)

[sammicitygirl]

My mom was offered a higher paying job in Springfield, and I'm trying to get her to see that it would be a good idea. She's always wanted to make six figures, from when we lived in Rogers Park all the way up to now. But for some reason (Church members. ) she doesn't want to move to Springfield.

Unlike my mom, I have no problem meeting new people and making new friends, since a bunch of rumors pretty much shattered my chances of having anything even close to someone I'm cool with where I currently live now, and to be honest, that's part of the reason why I want to move. I've never truly been one to care if I had a friend or not, but I can't stand being hated for something that I never did, and on top of that, it being something that most of their parents, family members and friends are guilty of.

A part of me thinks it's silly because I'm going into my senior year in high school, but to be honest, I never liked my school, and I personally think that the teachers aren't doing a very good job. If anyone said that suburban education was elite, my school is not a good example of that. Another part of me thinks it's a good idea because I'd like to live somewhere new, somewhere that people have actually heard of...and can be found on a map.

Main reason for me making this thread was becase I have no idea what Springfield is like. So, Springfielders and visitors of Springfield, what's it like?

[myrc60]

More money in Springfield? I'd jump with both feet. Check school reports online and for the school you attend now and then compare them. Find a really good school down there and show your Mom. I worked with people that liked living in Springfield. It's the State Capitol; I can't imagine it being too bad there. Good luck!

[JerichoHW]

Springfield is a great Illinois City, it boasts Public Transportation in the form of buses, important government officals, a great history, Airport with flights to Chicago, St. Louis and Washington DC. The nearby Suburbs can give you affordable new houses much cheaper then in a place like New Lenox, Naperville etc. and on top of that the people are friendly.

Go to Wikipedia for more info, they have a long article giving many details of the city:
Springfield, Illinois - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[runninfiend]

Springfield is a very nice city to live in with some great old, stately neighborhoods, especially around the Washington Park area. There are nice houses in all price ranges.

As far as schools, the city schools (Lanphier: north side, Southeast: east and southeast side, and Springfield High, downtown and west) all get bad raps. I do personally know of two recent graduates of Springfield High that enjoyed it there and did get good educations.

That said, most people with the resources seek out private schools in Springfield or move to the more affluent Chatham school district. If you only have one year left and a six figure salary to back you up, private school might be an option. Sacred Heart-Griffin is the top draw, with several smaller religiously affiliated academies dotting the city such as Springfield Lutheran, Spfld. Academy, Ursuline, etc. You definitely have options.

[sgresident]

my husband grew up in springfield, and went to lanphier. I would really recommend a visit and a good realtor. You do have to be concerned about certain parts of town, after all, it is a large city with all the trappings of a large city. Housing prices are lower than the suburban areas of chicago.

[linicx]

Springfield is an all right kind of town. I've been there many times. I buy my cars in Springfield. There is a water park and many of the natiunal retail stores. I know many folks who work there that live a litttle farther out. One of my favorite nearby towns in Lincoln. Besides a decent high school, it also has affordable housing and a junior college. It is cenntrally located not far from B-N or Peoria.

The most important thin is this: Between the metro triangle of Peoria, B-N and Springfield there isn't anything I can think of that you cannot find in one of the three areas. Here's a small samole:

One of the largest night time Christmas parades in America, Rock wall climbing,
casino, river cruises, symphony, museum, art, upscale shopping, life theater, malls, wineries, apple orchards, fishing, flora, fauna, Nativve American museum, parks, parks, parks and more parks, and the first inland Everglades is being built less than 50 miles from Springfield as I write this. Already several thousand acres have been reclaimed. When finishe the reclaimed will be 14,000 acres.

Central Illinois is home to almost every religion I can think of including Greek, Ba- hai, black, Asian, Federalists, Wiccan, German, Irish, Italian, jewish and the few I forgot. We also have a half dozen very nice private country clubls with gold and swimming facilities.

There are many choices plus three universities near by.. .

[sammicitygirl]

Wow, I came so late, but I'm really happy with what I heard! I love nice people. ^_^ I'm gonna bother my mom about this more than I did before. This is just too good to let go! Thank you so much everyone!

[myrc60]

Let us know how it works out for you sammicitygirl!

[ILRef]

A little late to the party, but I like it here. There is plenty of things to do here, housing is affordable and there are plenty of jobs due to it being the capitol (though our governor would love to change that). The only downside is the lack of professional (even minor league) sports...high school sports are king here. There are also some questionable parts in town, but you will get that in any 100K+ city. Good luck convincing your mom =)

[sammicitygirl]

Well, so far so good. My mom actually showed me the job offer from the guy that's trying to hire her, and she actually sent her resume to him. I almost wanted to slap whatever brains she had out of her head, though. I read what he was willing to offer. He will pay for relocation if she takes the job! Why would she deny that?! If anyone is willing to pay for my relocation, then damn, it's about time to pack my bags!

Well, hopefully she lets me know if she got a job in a place where I can actually move to. I'm really tired of it here, it's boring me everyday.