Need help, Moving to Springfield, IL and need advice

[BCforISU]

My wife and I are relocating from Florida to Springfield, IL. If anyone has lived there, or has family there I would appreciate any advice you could give.

We are renting, need a house with a fenced in yard, we have 2 dogs.

1. Where should we live, west side looks good, we are looking for newer home decent budget.
2. What is there to do for mid 30's with no kids, like to have a good time, etc.
3. Is there any ISU fans there? We sure hope we can have a group to hang with.
4. Any advice on rental companies, etc.

Thank you very much for any advice, we are looking to be there by mid October at the latest.
GO STATE!

 

[BCforISU]

bump, guess no one from Springfield, IL.

Thanks

 

[LindenCy]

I have visited many times, but probably am not much help. Driving around, there are definitely areas you want to avoid, but I am of no help there either, sorry.

 

[00clone]

Using the new 'member map' up on the top of the page, a PM to nrg4isu might yield something...that's all I got.

 

[simply1]

Also city data is pretty good usually, not for cyclone get togethers of course.

 

[BCforISU]

Thanks guys, I knew it was going to be a reach.

 

[Agkistrodon]

I can't help with most of your questions, but I can tell you that if you enjoy the outdoors there's a lot to do in this area. Plenty of reservoirs for boating if you're into that. The Buffalo River isn't that far from Springfield. It's one of the few undammed rivers in the lower 48, and it's managed by the NPS. Lots of hiking, tubing the river (when it's not as low/dry as it is now) and other stuff. There's caves in the area too, but I have yet to check any of them out.

 

[Wesley]

You can attend Cyclone games on the weekend.

 

[MidwestZest]

You can attend Cyclone games on the weekend.

This. :yes:

BCforISU, we live in Decatur, not too far away and have season ticks. Can't really be much help to you in terms of Springfield though

 

[Bret44]

Have a Horseshoe they are tasty. They also have a pretty good 4th of July show at the Old Capital. Sorry that's all I got.

 

[Prometheus]

Look into Chatham which is just South. At one time Springfield was a good clean mid-sized central Illinois town, but like about all of them from Jacksonville, to Peoria, to Galesburg, to Rock Island, to Rockford, to Decatur have suffered and are kind of dirty and have some areas where you don't want to be in after dark. Their closeness to Chicago attracts/supports the gang banger element.

 

[Agkistrodon]

I can't read. I thought this said Springfield, MO when I read it last night.

Although, I used to live kind of near Springfield, IL as well and still can't really help you with your question.

 

[HuxleyClone]

I second the Horseshoe tip.

 

[2forISU]

Chatham is the best area. It is also close to a little lake.

 

[BCforISU]

You can attend Cyclone games on the weekend.

Yes, this will be happening, season tickets will be purchased for next year and hoping to make a couple November games for sure. We are very excited about this. We actually found a place in the West part of town and really enjoyed that area.

Thanks everyone for your insight!