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| The most underrated city in America - 8/11/2019
I lived in Peoria for nearly three years for work and I miss it terribly. The Peoria metropolitan area is by far one of the most underrated in the country. I think what hurts the area is the people who live and originate from there don’t seem to appreciate it. In fact, if you ask the average Peorian what they like most about their city they will likely draw a blank. Inasmuch, people don’t generally venture out of Peoria into the neighboring towns and vice versa. It’s really siloed. Nevertheless, let me give you a breakdown of the pros and cons. The pros are Grandview drive in Peoria Heights, the Lighthouse District in East Peoria, Grand Prairie Mall, Junction City, Peoria Symphony, Warehouse District, Dunlap School District, Germantown Hills School District, Morton IL, Wild Life Nature Center, restaurants, parks, trails, and the riverfront. The cons are high unemployment, air service, isolation, much of the Peoria School District, and high crime in some low-income communities.
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| Peoria is... - 6/27/2010
The City of Peoria is a river town. It is located in the Illinois River Valley on the banks of the Illinois River - a deep channel commercial shipping lane this is also the longest river in the state. Historically, it is not uncommon for a river town to have a higher incidnece of crime than an inland community of the same size. Peoria has made great strides in this area in the last few years by renovating, changing traffic patterns and discouraging bad behavior. Old warehouses were converted to living space and artist lofts. The waterfront was updated with fountain, meeting place, state-of-art fitness center, galleries and other venues. When completed THE BLOCK will house museums, Peoria Art Guild, restaurant and a new planetarium. Peoria will complete or begin projects totalling $200M this year. Many local events are held at the Peoria river front or the newly expanded Civic Center.
Peoria has talent as evidenced in the community band, symphony orchestra, community singers, ballet and opera companies, artist colony, Peoria Players Theater, Broadway Series, and Cornstock - the 4th oldest summer theater in America - Indie films and Indie music, and musicians of every type from modern Jazz to Chamber Music, and last but never least is our comedy clubs and commedians. .
Peoria is historic from its meager beginning as a French Village to it 2010 Gold Medal winner Peoria Park District to its cbildren's hospital - "the only full service teriary hospital for kids in downstate." Peoria has 3x more physicians than the national average. There is also a large community of non-traditonal practioners as well as natural food stores and Vegan restaurants.
Peoria has always been a sports town from bowling and golf to baseball, football, hockey, soccer, skeet, GPS mountain biking, cross country races, swimming, gymnastics, skating, skiing and TT Finals; there is more in nearby counties. Nearly every public event in Peoria is managed by tbe Peoria Park District. Despite it nearly 10,000 acres, and year round offerings, and despite its award winning Peoria Zoologial Park, the public light is rarely shined on this very valuable Peoria asset.
Peoria shops. Offerings range from the small boutiques in Peoris Heights to two malls and seven independent shopping centers, plus six natioal grocers, health food stores, three meat markets, a fish market and several small independent specialty food stores in Peoria. .
Peoria educates. Peorians have a wide choice when it comes to educating our children from Homeschool to public school, from gifted to magnet schools, and from religious to private schools. Peoria has one of the few schools dedicated to educating Autistic children. Within Peoria Metropolitan Statistial Area residents can access nine main libraries, a number of satellite libraries, Bradley University, Eureka College, ICC community college, Spoon River community college, medical college, several trade schools, plus in nearby McLean county there is Nomral State University. a private college and a community college. Peorians do not lack in educational opporunityl
Peoria has several modes of transportation incuding 5 bridges, 2 Interstate routes. 2 US routes and 3 Illnois State Routes that move vehicles in and around Peoria, Additionally there is a regional airport with direct flights, national bus service, taxi, city bus and limo service. Peoria exports by air, rail, water and truck. "According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Peoria ranks 20th of all metropolitan cities exporting to Europe, putting it in league with New York, San Francisco and Chicago."
Peoria has never been a gastronomic adventure, but there has always been four or five staple restaurants that offer casual dining, plus food fairs, seasonal Farmer's Market, fast food and specialty foods like Trefzger's Bakery that has served Peorians for over 100-years. Peoria does not offer Chicago style dining, but we do have some awfully good food and an excellent Peoria Health Department that protects the public. .
Peoria, for its size has a very diverse culture and religious community that includes Federalist, Greek Orthodox, Catholic, Jewish, AME, Unitarian, mainstream Christian and others. Peoria is a city of many colors, many cultures, many talents, many philosophies, many political views and an ancient history that includes Native Americans and the City of Chicago.
As a whole Peoria will meet or exceed the expectations of the majority of its residents and visitors. River cities being what they are will aways have less than desireable neighborhoods and business that fails. It should not be a criteria. Despite the downturn in the national economy Peoria's economy is stable because it knows how to reinvent itself. The economy of yesterday that was built on industry and Caterpillar, is today built on a medical, business, technolotical and financial model that will serve the city well into the future.
Peoria, Illinois is a good place for family and business to call home.
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| Peoria, Illinois - 5/4/2009
Small town living is the truth here in Peoria. Not too quick to move forward, Peoria is a nice place to raise a family. The anchor here is Caterpillar, which employs a lot of locals, and brings in people from all over the world for temporary relocation, which brings welcome diversity. A very Christian area, others with different spiritual philosophies are not readily embraced, but progress is still being made. Many try to move Peoria forward, but it just moves a bit slower here. The best part about Peoria is there is rarely a traffic jam. People are nice, and for the most part, very friendly. The worst part is little or no shopping and only a hand-full of good restaurants. So, you stay home more which saves money! The weather is oddly cloudy a great deal of the time. Not necessarily rainy, but the clouds seem to be a norm for this area. I have no idea why! It just is! The season's are felt full on here: Spring is gorgeous, summer is hot, fall is stunning and winter is freakin' cold and snowy, so something for everyone.
Well, there's your overview!
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| The Caterpillar mining town - 5/27/2007
Well for some, Peoria is a great large town (It is not quite a city) to live in. I have lived here off and on for 18 years and I have seen it decline rapidly. The town is getting more slum-like as time goes on. Now it looks like the South Side has expanded all the way out to the Northwoods Mall area. Businesses are closing and nothing is coming in to replace them. Nothing says decline of civilization like vacant boarded up buildings. Also the only real employment in this area is Caterpillar. If you work in any of the plants (or if you plan to) expect 10-12 hour days 6-7 days a week. Caterpillar knows it is the only job in town so it tends to exploit their employees. There is no real art and culture here. Sure there is a big new art museum coming, but guess who is sponsoring it... Yep! Caterpillar. Nothing says fine art than tractors and truck engines!!! Really the only thing to do around here is stay boozed up. The 4 o' clock bars are great and really fun IF YOU ARE 21... After 25, the "bar scene" is overkill. Yes there are sporting events (Baseball, hockey)... Peoria could stand to get a professional basketball team here, that might increase some tourism dollars to come in and that Peoria's city council might think about working on its future entertainment visions. They fought the gambling boat and they fought Hooters from coming in. The city council here must all be 75 year old conservative right-wing religious fanatics... They are worried about what kind of image Hooters sends out... Old out dated values, declining city care and upkeep (sure the interstate looks great, but have you seen the inner-city streets?). It is no wonder that the only increasing commodity in this area is methamphetamine. When meth/crank is becoming the drug of choice for entertainment, means the city is dying or already dead... I would compare Peoria Illinois to Marysville/Yuba City California. If you plan on moving here, I would consider somewhere else. I have tried this town and stuck it out as long as I could stand (combined total of 18 years) and I have seen this town in its highs and lows (Remember; "Last one out, turn out the lights" era of the early 80's... Peoria was a nicer city to live in then! There is a reason the housing costs are cheap here... And it is NOT for positive reasons. To those that love it here, good luck to you... I am turning out the lights where I am at because I am out of here...
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| It plays in Peoria - 12/7/2005
Good lifestyle with excellent medical facilities. Easy commute around town. Property taxes have actually been lowered over the past five years. In center of city access to five major shopping centers within ten minutes. City is turning around the schools. Good colleges and junior colleges in town and within 50 miles (Bradley U, Illinois State, Illinois Central Community College, Eureka College, Western Illinois University). Downtown revitalization campaign with new Caterpillar museum being built and RecPlex facility. Most decent housing will cost at least $160K, but market runs from $60K to $4M. Three hour drive from big cities of Chicago and Saint Louis. Has minor league baseball, hockey, arena football teams. Above average public and private golf courses. Very active neighborhood associations. Slower pace than big cities and farmland properties just outside of city limits. Has good cultural and arts available with Symphony orchestra, ballet company, Civic center for rock bands, etc, The people are very friendly and courteous in person, but don't be a pedestrian downtown as some drivers do not yield.
A very comfortable place to live and raise a family.
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