Normal

Located in Normal, Illinois, the Broadway-Fell Corridor is a highly residential neighborhood. Known for its tightly packed historic homes, many built in the late 19th century, and pedestrian-friendly streets, this area has a competitive housing market. While there are no shops or restaurants directly in the neighborhood, its location makes it ideal. "It's 15 minutes from everywhere in Bloomington-Normal," says Realtor Brady Lockenour of HomeSmart Realty. The neighborhood is even walkable to Illinois Wesleyan University, making it appealing to college students. The neighborhood’s tight-knit community and pedestrian-friendly streets offer a quality of life that is both enriching and fulfilling. Whether enjoying a leisurely walk on the Constitution Trail, participating in local arts festivals, or dining at one of the many local eateries, residents experience a vibrant and supportive community. The Broadway-Fell Corridor has a diverse array of housing options that reflect its rich historical roots. Queen Anne Victorian homes start at around $160,000, while Colonial and Colonial Revival houses range from $150,000 to $255,000. While single-family homes are most common, multifamily houses can cost around $180,000, and American Four-Square homes are priced around $230,000. Mid-century homes cost about $350,000. The median home price is $194,900. “The homes in Fell Park and Broadway-Fell Corridor are historic homes. The city of Normal provides grants for improving these older homes to ensure they are restored properly,” Lockenour says. Homes in Broadway-Fell Corridor are only on the market for an average of six days, Lockenour says, adding that they collect multiple offers and sell for more than the listed price. Lockenour adds that there really aren't many homes that pop up in this subdivision, with only eight to 12 listings every 12 months. Local businesses include Neighborhood Thrift, known for its gently used furniture, and Red Racoon, specializing in toys and games. Bobzbay Books, an independently owned bookstore, is a beloved spot for book lovers. “The Garlic Press is a cute boutique specializing in every kitchen item you can ever think of. If you're a chef or enjoy cooking, definitely check that place out,” Lockenour says. For dining, Medici is a local favorite, serving up a diverse menu that includes seafood lasagna, beef brisket, and a selection of local beers. Pizza Payaa allows patrons to craft their own pizzas. Locals can grab weekly essentials and groceries at the nearby Kroger. The weekly farmer’s market in downtown Bloomington has several local vendors selling produce each Saturday from May through October. The Connie Link Amphitheatre, adjacent to the Constitution Trail, hosts live music, theater performances, and children’s programs. Each October, the Sugar Creek Arts Festival takes over the McLean County Arts Center, showcasing local art, live music, and food, celebrating the area's artistic talent and cultural diversity. Houses of worship within the neighborhood include Christ the King Episcopal Church. Glenn Elementary School has a B-plus Niche rating, while Kingsley Junior High has a B rating. Normal Community West High School also has a B-plus. The high school has an Esports lab that hosts several gaming competitions throughout the year. Adjacent to the neighborhood is Underwood Park. Families can gather at the picnic shelters, and there are plenty of recreational amenities from a playground to athletic fields as well as basketball and pickleball courts. The park even connects to Constitution Trail, perfect for walking, running, and biking amidst the lush greenery. Residents can easily commute to Chicago via the Metra train, while the Connect Transit public bus system provides reliable local transportation. Major highways, including Illinois State Route 9, are just minutes away, ensuring quick access to downtown Bloomington and beyond. Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal is five miles away.

"We shovel snow together, cut grass together," Victoria Picone says of her neighborhood, Bunker Hill. "One of the kids had their car battery die, and we saw her through the window. So we went over and jumped her, and off she went." Bunker Hill is all homes except for a couple of churches, a school and the businesses around West Raab Road and North Main Street. Sidewalks line its residential streets, and tall oaks and maples accent its green and neatly trimmed lawns, hinting at its walkability and connection to local green spaces. But even with its natural setting, Picone — who's lived in Bunker Hill since 1981 — says the people are the best part of the neighborhood. "A couple of times, I thought of selling, but I just don't think I'll find a neighborhood like Bunker Hill." Bloomington and Normal share a public transportation system called Connect Transit. Within Bunker Hill, Connect serves bus stops along North Main Street, West Sherbourne Drive and North School Street. With sidewalks lining almost every foot of road in Bunker Hill, bus stops are just a short walk from most homes in Bunker Hill. Getting around is also easy for Bunker Hill drivers since Interstate 55 is less than a mile north, and North Main Street—which runs through the neighborhood—stretches south into the downtown areas of Normal and Bloomington. The interstate also puts Chicago 134 miles from Bloomington and St. Louis 162 miles away. "We're on the north end of town, so we're pretty much residential," Picone says. "The closest restaurant is a mile up the way, on Raab Road." In addition to restaurants like Bloomin Café, the commercial corridor around the intersection of Raab Road and Main Street holds Bunker Hill's closest grocery store, Schnucks Normal, and national chains like Starbucks and Walgreens. Nearby, the Shoppes at College Hills offers residents an outdoor shopping mall experience. One of the outstanding features of Bunker Hill is its proximity to Fairview Park, where residents can grind the skate park's rails, fly down the water park's slides and climb the rock wall at the playground. Picone says the park's trails connect to the neighborhood so that residents can access the park easily. "All you have to do is walk out your door and through your backyard, and you're on a trail that takes you all over Bloomington." Bunker Hill also has smaller parks like Rosa Parks Commons, which holds sports fields and a playground, and Calvary Acres, where residents organize local baseball games. Ranch-style homes are popular throughout Bunker Hill, but split-levels and Colonial Revivals add variety to the scene while adhering to similar design lines and low-slung roof lines. Prices don't vary much around the neighborhood, ranging from $160,000 to $285,000. Unchanged from the previous year, the median home price is $194,900. Pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade students can begin their educational journey at Fairview Elementary School, which sits within the neighborhood on Fairview Street and earns a B on Niche. For grades six through eight, Bunker Hill students can attend class at Chiddix Junior High School, which earns a B-plus. Preparing students for the workforce or continued education, A-rated Normal Community High School was established in 1905 and now lives in a modern campus that opened in 2003. For students who want to continue their education without leaving home, Illinois State University is about a mile south of Bunker Hill on Main Street. Bunker Hill has plenty of options for Fourth of July celebrations, with firework shows lighting up the skies over Fairview Park, nearby Miller Park and other locations throughout Normal and Bloomington. In October, the city of Normal holds the Sugar Creek Art Festival, which showcases more than 100 local artists, offers two stages for live music and attracts food trucks from all over the area.

Eagle’s Landing is part of a collection of neighborhoods developed on the edges of Bloomington-Normal. But the neighborhood is still near some of the area’s most popular shopping and dining spots. “The best thing about Eagle’s Landing is the location,” says Greg Zavitz, a Coldwell Banker Realtor who also lives in Eagle’s Landing. “There’s a great school right next to it, so kids can walk to the school. And it’s right by Interstate 55.” The neighborhood is less than 6 miles from downtown Bloomington, has a Sam’s Club less than 2 miles away and sits next to one of Bloomington-Normal’s biggest breweries. Strong schools are a bit draw for families here. Students can attend kindergarten through fifth grade without leaving the neighborhood, thanks to Grove Elementary at the intersection of Shepard Road and Airport Road on the neighborhood’s southeast corner. Grove Elementary School earns an A-minus on Niche. For sixth through eighth grades, students can attend Chiddix Junior High School, which earns a B-plus. High School students of Eagle’s Landing can attend A-rated Normal Community High Schoo, which hosts a theater program beloved throughout the community. With Illinois State University and Illinois Wesleyan University less than 7 miles from Eagle’s Landing, students can earn their degree without living too far from home. The southwest sidewalks of Eagle’s Landing connect to Blackstone Trails, a small network of trails that wraps around the neighborhood’s pond. Little more than a quarter mile from the neighborhood’s southwest corner, the Shepard Park Dog Park provides separate spaces for large and small dogs. Shepard Park features a playground and picnic shelters. With downtown Bloomington just about 6 miles from Eagle’s Landing, residents aren’t far from Bloomington-Normal’s most popular events. Beer lovers rejoice at the area’s largest annual brewing festival, Bruegala, bringing brewers, local food trucks and live music to the Downtown Bloomington Farmers Market. Dogs join the holiday fun for the annual Doggie Easter Egg Hunt at Maxwell Dog Park on North Parkside Road. Holiday celebrations are big throughout the town, and the Bloomington-Normal Jaycees Holiday Parade brings together people from all over the metro area. Across Hershey Road from Eagle’s Landing, DESTIHL Brewery and Beer Hall serves locally brewed beer and Americana fare, including burgers, fish tacos and pizza. On Thursdays, the brewery hosts live music on the patio. Residents head to Fort Jesse Café on Fort Jesse Road for brunch fare. Menu favorites include chicken and waffles, eggs benedict and cinnamon rolls. For groceries, there's a Sam’s Club on Shepard Road or Meijer, 2 miles south on East College Avenue. Homes in Eagle’s Landing hearken to traditional suburban American styles with a touch of modernist design. Sitting on small, grassy lots, multistory colonial-style homes often boast large garages and layered gables. Smaller, modern ranch homes feature stacked gables and covered porches. “The average price is probably around $350,000,” Zavitz says. “They’re newer homes—mine’s not even twenty years old.” With a median price of just under $360,000, home prices in Eagle’s Landing range from $236,000 for a two-story townhouse to $476,000 for a modern, ranch-style farmhouse. The neighborhood streets are all lined with sidewalks, so it's easy to take a dog for a walk or simply get steps in. The closest Connect Transit bus stop is 2 miles away, at the intersection of Landmark Drive and Parkway Plaza Drive. Interstate 55 sits about a mile north of Eagle’s Landing, putting downtown Chicago roughly 134 miles from the neighborhood. South of Eagle’s Landing, the Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal connects residents to larger airports across the country.

Fell Park's charm lies in its ability to offer a balanced suburban lifestyle within a tightly knit community. Known for its tree-lined streets and modest homes, this Normal, Illinois, neighborhood encapsulates the essence of suburban living. "Residents here stay for the long haul," says Realtor Kenley Kaisershot of RE/MAX Rising. This sense of permanence, coupled with affordable housing and excellent schools, makes Fell Park a magnet for families and professionals alike. Houses are situated on small, well-maintained lots with mature trees providing shade and character. Condominiums range from $100,000 to $142,000; bungalows are priced around $100,000; Cape Cods start at $160,000; ranch homes range from $165,000 to $272,000; and Colonials are priced at $295,000. The median home price is $141,500. “It’s not uncommon to see DIY renovations, reflecting the pride homeowners have in maintaining their properties,” says Kaisershot. However, the real estate market in Fell Park is characterized by a scarcity of homes for sale, as residents tend to stay long-term. This stability adds to the neighborhood's appeal, making it a sought-after community, where houses sell in 19 days on average. Hidden Creek Nature Sanctuary offers a serene escape for nature enthusiasts with its bird-watching spots and walking trails. One Normal Plaza is a hub for community activities, featuring fields for football, soccer, and baseball, and a community garden. Fell Park itself is the neighborhood's heart, with its playgrounds, picnic areas, and basketball courts. "Fell Park in Normal is very special to me and has a lovely tower. It is in my childhood neighborhood across the street from my elementary school, and I have many memories there,” says Amanda Wycoff Neaves of Berkshire Hathaway Central Illinois. “I still have a scar on my leg from the playground, and my brother and sister-in-law even had their engagement photos taken there.” Fell Park residents enjoy the convenience of nearby big-box stores and chain restaurants. Lakewood Plaza, just three miles away, houses popular eateries like Firehouse Subs and Outback Steakhouse, alongside essential stores like Hy-Vee Supermarket. Local favorites like Bloomin Cafe and Coffee House in Uptown Normal offer unique dining experiences. Bloomin Cafe is known for its cinnamon swirl French toast, chicken and waffles, and a variety of omelets. Coffee House serves breakfast all day, including sandwiches, eggs, home fries, breakfast tacos, and biscuits and gravy, as well as freshly baked muffins daily. “The eclectic mix of chain and local businesses means there’s something for everyone,” says Kaisershot. For a casual night out, Pub II is a popular spot, serving wings, burgers, and pizza, and is frequented by residents and Illinois State students alike. Uptown Normal, about a mile away from Fell Park, is the city center with stores like Butter Twice & Again, a secondhand shop with a hand-picked selection of quality vintage and modern clothing, accessories, and household items, a CVS Pharmacy, and The Normal Theater, a classic cinema that shows art house films, cult favorites, and international titles. Young students can attend Glenn Elementary School, which has a B-plus rating from Niche. Chiddix Junior High and Normal West Community High School also have B-plus ratings. Normal West Community High School has a 94% graduation rate. Students in the area attend both Illinois State University and Illinois Wesleyan University after graduation. While most residents drive to get around, Fell Park benefits from the Connect Transit bus system, making local travel convenient. There are also sidewalks and bike lanes for traveling. Fell Park is a mile from Uptown Normal, where the Amtrak station is located. Residents are near Illinois State Route 9, providing highway access, and Central Illinois Regional Airport is just six miles away. The annual Sweet Corn Circus in Uptown Normal is a highlight, featuring performances by the Illinois State Gamma Phi Circus and local wrestling events. “These festivals bring everyone together, reinforcing the community bonds that make Fell Park special,” says Kaisershot.

Greenbriar in Normal, Illinois, is in a central location, a mostly residential subdivision close to essential amenities. The neighborhood is known for its tree-lined streets where neighbors stroll, greet each other by name, and enjoy a slower pace of life. This neighborhood’s charm lies in its diverse architecture, range of price points, and welcoming atmosphere. “The area is dominated by ranch-style homes and bi-level homes, with a good mix of multi-family and single-family units,” says Kenley Kairshoot, a Realtor for RE/MAX Rising. Houses are tightly packed next to each other, mostly with small front yards and driveways. The median home price stands at $195,000, with ranch homes ranging between $155,000 and $230,000, and split-level homes from $180,000 to $230,000. Many homes fall in the $175,000 to $200,000 range. “This area is good for first-time buyers, yet many residents have stayed in their homes for over 20 years,” Kairshoot says. Interestingly, the neighborhood has streets named after presidents, such as James Taft, Herbert Hoover, and Lyndon B. Johnson. While Greenbriar is predominantly residential, it is conveniently located near several shopping and dining options. The Candlewood Suites Shopping Center on Greenbriar Drive houses big-box stores like Shoe Carnival, Ross, and Michael’s. For grocery needs, Walmart, Aldi, and Meijer are just across the street. Dining options include fast-food favorites such as Sonic, Panera Bread, and Five Guys. For a more unique experience, Seoul Mama offers a taste of Korean cuisine, including beef, chicken, pork bulgogi, pork belly, ramen, and Korean fried chicken; it also offers a vegan menu. Destihl Restaurant and Brew Works serves locally brewed beers, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, and pasta. Signature dishes include stuffed poblano pepper, grilled swordfish tacos, and braised pot roast. There is live music outdoors on Thursdays. The Annual Kite Fest at Grove Elementary School in July is a family-friendly event featuring kites, face painting, food trucks, and entertainment. This event raises money for the For Better Tomorrow organization, which supports both national and community improvement projects, such as providing clean water to people in third-world countries and delivering books to kids. The Children’s Discovery Museum nearby provides educational and interactive fun for families. Christ Lutheran Church hosts various events like men’s breakfasts and women’s nights out, fostering community spirit. Volunteers from the congregation also support the Midwest Food Bank, providing meals to those in need. Young students can attend Grove Elementary School, which has an A-minus rating on Niche, before going to Chiddix Junior High School, which has a B-plus rating. Normal Community High School, with an A rating, has achieved notable athletic successes, including boys’ tennis sectional champions and girls’ track state record holders for the 2023-24 school year. Shepard Park offers a playground, a baseball field, and basketball courts, making it a hub for outdoor activities and recreation. Additionally, there is a dedicated dog park ensuring that four-legged friends have a space to play. The neighborhood is near Interstate Highways 51 and 74, facilitating easy commutes. While public transit access via Connect Transit bus is limited, the Central Illinois Regional Airport is only a four-mile drive away, offering convenience for travelers. Despite being surrounded by commercial spaces and parks, Greenbriar experiences no real traffic issues, even during peak hours. However, the main mode of transportation remains owned vehicles, as there are no bike lanes or pedestrian-friendly areas.

While much of Normal’s Innovation District is dedicated to Illinois State University’s campus, its streets are lined with condos, small homes and businesses supporting the university. Cruising along West College Avenue, drivers pass under a walkway bearing the name and mascot of Illinois State University. University buildings like Hancock Stadium and Hewett Hall characterize other streets throughout the neighborhood. East of the ISU Main Campus, a handful of restaurants and museums await residents, and streets to the southeast of campus hold a variety of homes and businesses. “A lot of people live here for the school,” says Chris Leggins, a student who’s lived in the area for over four years. “It’s the sort of place you’re going to meet someone from outside the town.” On South Main Street, south of the university, Fusion Brew keeps Innovation District residents caffeinated. Chain restaurants like Chipotle and Noodles and Company line Main Street with Fusion Brew. However, streets east of campus hold local restaurants like The Rock, which serves Mediterranean and American fare. A couple blocks east of The Rock, The Children’s Discovery Museum gives children hands-on exhibits that aim to teach children as they play. On West Vernon Avenue, south of the museum, the Illinois Art Station offers families and young artists a place to create. For grocery trips, residents have to head down South Main Street to Kroger or head east on College Avenue to reach chains like Target, Meijer and Walmart. On South University Street, People’s Park is outlined with a short, paved trail and holds grills and a picnic shelter where residents can gather and share a picnic. Just east of the neighborhood, swimmers can get their laps in at the Anderson Park pool, kids can climb the park’s playground and basketballers can join a pickup game at the park’s basketball courts. The neighborhood is also home to miles of trails that connect to Bloomington-Normal’s Constitution Trail. The trail covers roughly 37 miles of old railroad property and attracts bikers, runners and walkers. With the university creating much of the neighborhood’s housing demand, condos are readily available and range in price from $122,000 to $135,000. Single-family homes come in the form of bungalows, ranch-style homes and split-level Colonial Revivals. Homes needing work can sell as low as $115,000, while larger, renovated homes can sell as high as $330,000. The median home price is $190,000, which aligns with the previous year’s median. Glenn Elementary School serves young Innovation District students with kindergarten through fifth grade and earns a B-plus on Niche. Students can attend sixth through eighth grades at Kingsley Junior High School, which earns a B. Normal Community West High School earns a B-plus. Its girls' soccer team has won four Big Twelve Conference Titles and twice qualified for the Illinois High School Association State Tournament. Founded in 1857, Illinois State University is the cornerstone of Innovation District and the oldest public university in Illinois. Bloomington-Normal’s Connect Transit bus system serves Innovation District with stops along streets around the Illinois State University campus, including the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare, South Main Street. Drivers can take South Main Street 2 miles north to Interstate 55, which puts Chicago 134 miles away. Residents who like to walk can enjoy miles of sidewalks lining the streets or the network of trails connecting sections of Innovation District. “In the summertime, there’s a concert series uptown,” Leggins says. “There’s a car show and a corn festival in the summer, and there’s always something going on during the school year.” Normal LIVE is a series of concerts held from spring to fall at Uptown Circle, at the intersection of West North Street and West Beaufort Street. Cruisin’ Uptown Normal is an annual car show bringing classic and contemporary cars together for a day of cars and live music. To celebrate the city’s roots in agriculture, the city organizes the annual Sweet Corn Circus. The festival is a two-day celebration with arts, flea market vendors and sidewalk sales.