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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
*7river7wed* *Hitchedin 2006*
Hey! I was wondering if you know much about Peoria. I know it's not *quite* where you live, but it's close. We'll probably be moving out that way in August/September so anything you can tell us about the area would be great. Bonus points if you can give us daycare or housing recs! Thanks!
Re: *7river7wed* *Hitchedin 2006*
I live in the Peoria area. Let me know what your questions are. Feel free to PM as well.
Live out here for over 4 years now and I doubt we will ever be moving back to Iowa
Thanks for the willingness to help!
H will be working in East Peoria (Bass Pro if you know where that will be). He doesn't mind a bit of a commute, but I don't like to drive more than 20 minutes one way. I haven't even started looking for jobs as I think it's entirely too far out. I'll be looking for hospitality or administrative assistant type jobs though.
We would really prefer a single family home, rather than an apartment because of Baby, but know that apartments might be our only option. (Washer and dryer in our apartment is a non-negotiable though.) Would you know of any reputable companies/individuals who rent SFHs?
Also, we'll be needing daycare. I know there is a KinderCare somewhere in Peoria; would you happen to know if it's close to Bass Pro? (We don't have the address or else I'd Google!) Also, do you know anything about that center or others?
Sorry I'm so full of questions, but I'm so type A that this whole situation is driving me crazy. Too many what-if's and when's for my sanity!
Yep I know where Bass Pro is being built! Been debating about a PT job there when they open for some extra $$$. (Although as a taxpayer, not too happy that the city is leasing the building out to BP, but whatever, too late now.)
Kindercare is in central Peoria. maybe a 10 minute drive. I wouldn't say it is really close by. Kindercare is kinda near University & War Memorial, but behind the Walgreens on University. I'm not a big fan of KinderCare (worked at one before and wasn't impressed, but it was not in Illinois... but knew someone who had their grandchild enrolled there and had no complaints). There are a number of day care centers in the area, but I would wait until you know where you would live before picking a place (lots of centers are on the north end closer to Dunlap). If you are not using the state aid for child care, you'll have lots of options. But your gut instinct is really how you want to choose a place. Rogy's is the big chain around here, they are based in EP but have several locations. Never send your kid to Early Learning Center- violations over the years, horrible turnover, and why would one have a day care center next to an abortion clinic?!?!???
When we moved to town, we had a relocation agent through Maloof Realty. She helped us find an apartment to rent. I think rent is high in this area--- you have alot of Caterpillar employees who can afford to rent something $$$. Maloof has some properties for rent. I'd start stalking Craigslist and taking names/locations now. When you start narrowing down, I can tell you which complexes/parts of town are drug dealing areas to avoid (seriously).
I would recommend renting for a year to see what part of town you like and get to know the area first before buying (plus you will know where you work by that point and not be stuck with a long commute). There are lots of good options in Tazewell County where Bass Pro is. Washington, East Peoria, and Morton (looks far, but it's a straight shot on the interstate or Rt. 150) would be good to look at. In East Peoria avoid the "bottoms" (west of Main Street, and south of Cedar Street), Washington & Morton don't really have wierdo areas. Creve Coeur is also known as Creve-tucky (lots of rentals, easy commute to BP, but don't get stuck next to a meth neighbor). Morton is known as kind uppity, as lots of Doctors live there, but it's a great town to raise a family too. Peoria City can be a bit more sketchier- they say the rule of thumb anything north of War Memorial Drive is good, although there are a few pockets I would live in as well. Plus if you end up closer to Dunlap, it can be kinda a drive to BP. Chillicothe may seem like too far of a drive. Bartonville and Hanna City might be options in Peoria County, just depends how far you want to drive. No matter now cheap the rent is, don't rent on the south side of Peoria or the East Bluff... too much violence and crime.
The Peoria area is not laid out as nice (map wise) as Des Moines- not as easy to get from point A to B and it takes longer to "get across town." The drivers are crazier here (I call them mini-Chicago drivers) as well.
Come back often
OMGosh, you are amazing! I won't even need relocation agent with all your info! haha How much was your relocation agent? I've never even heard of such a thing.
H's mom has worked at a couple KinderCares on the east coast and is now at one in MS. I'm not hooked on them as my mom has always done inhome daycare, but at least it's a starting point. Rogy's, huh? That ELC sounds scary!! I know we'll want to tour before we pick, but we need to narrow it down as we'll probably only have a weekend or two out there to pick.
We'll be renting for a couple years for sure. I'll pass along the city info to H - he's more into looking for housing than I am! Sounds like there are lots of options though. I thought rent looked cheaper than here on my curious look over the weekend - but maybe those were in the not-so-safe areas.
Thanks for the info and like I said, I'll be back for more I'm sure!
Are you looking at the BP store or the restaurant? If H hears anything about when they start taking applications or whatever, I can pass it along to you! The discount alone is worth working there PT if you are an outdoorsy person (or buy gifts for outdoorsy people!).
The relocation agent was included when DH got his job offer out here, so it didn't cost us anything. Everything except for one apartment was with a local property management company, so it wasn't that hard to find. We had 6 hours to tour a few complexes and sign a lease so we could move that weekend, so it was quick!!! It was nice to talk with someone who gave us an honest opinion of certain areas of town... we didn't know a soul here before we moved.
We rented apartments with NHS Management and Hollybrook (I can't recall the management company). Good friend rented at Terra Vista Drive in Peoria, but it's kinda a haul to BP.
Don't go to:
Aspen Bluff, and it's neighbor across the street, Lexington Hills
City Scape
Villa Bourdeaux
Bradford Woods
RiverWest
Landmark
Village Green
Pierson Hills
That's the short list. These complexes have high crime rates, gang activity, or drug rings, so I'd stay out.
I was thinking restaurant, since I have waitressing experience (although years ago). I'm kinda hung up on the idea of slaving away my weekends... but DH and I need to beef up the e-fund and finally get rid of the last bit of student loans. My 2011 dream. let me know when they start hiring. BP is just steel beams for now.