In 2020, Angie Ostaszewski began uploading videos to TikTok to promote the city of Peoria. She used the app to show off relatively affordable home listings, provide information on inclusive events and to tout the city's many other unique amenities like its riverfront and walkable downtown. "She's not a Realtor – she just loves Peoria," says Pamela Johnson, a Peoria resident since 1983. "You can get a nice house here for $100,000 or $150,000 in cool, up and coming neighborhoods. People love it, so they move from California or other higher cost areas because of what they can get for their dollar." Johnson goes on to explain that work from home flexibility during COVID, combined with lower housing prices, has brought an influx of people to this Midwestern city. Its art scene makes Peoria surprisingly progressive adds Johnson, and there's no shortage of things to do. "It's easy to get around here. With a lot of activity and a lot of things going on," she says. "Some people complain that there's not enough to do, but I don't know why. I could do two or three things every night if I wanted to."
Downtown Peoria features many unique restaurants, shops, and festivals.
Downtown Peoria is situated along the 273-mile Illinois River.
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A variety of housing options in a relatively affordable U.S. market
Peoria offers a wide range of housing styles, from historic homes in the Moss Avenue District — which showcase late 19th- and early 20th-century architecture — to modern suburban developments in the north and northwest parts of the city. Downtown offers options like converted warehouse spaces, now lofts, overlooking the Illinois River and across the river, Grandview Drive is the "world's most beautiful drive." Touted as the 'most beautiful' by Theodore Roosevelt on a 1910 visit, this adage has carried over in unique ways. "Because of [this, for example], WMBD is the name of our local TV station," Johnson says. Grandview Drive's historic mansions sit alongside country clubs overlooking the Illinois River Valley. Housing prices in Peoria are generally affordable compared to other U.S. markets — and its average home value is about $120,000, significantly less than the national average. However, Johnson notes that buyers should also be aware of the city's relatively high property taxes. "I like to say, 'You have to pay one way or another. That's one of the challenges that we have," Johnson says. Fixer-uppers in south and central Peoria can be found for well under $50,000, while modest move-in ready bungalows built in the early 20th century frequently sell for $75,000 to $125,000. Homes on the north side of town tend to be a bit larger and more expensive and while there are still budget options in northside neighborhoods, there are also more modern homes with footprints of 2,000 to 3,500 square feet. These larger homes can sell for $200,000 to $350,000. There are also a few high-end developments on the north side of town which feature modern mansions that can sell from between $500,000 to upwards of $1 million.
Just beyond High Wine lies a more intimate neighborhood in West Bluff, featuring homes on smaller lots.
Tutor style large homes are popular within the historic district of West Bluff.
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Peoria Park District, the Peoria Zoo and the Luthy Botanical Garden
Peoria's extensive park system features over 9,000 acres of parks and trails. “The district is one of the largest per capita in the U.S. in terms of acreage per capita, so we have a lot of park space and activities,” Johnson says. The Peoria Park District is one of the oldest in the nation and includes landmarks like the Luthy Botanical Garden and the expansive Forest Park Nature Center, which offers educational programs and miles of hiking trails. The Rock Island Greenway connects Peoria to nearby communities and is a popular trail for biking and walking. Additionally, the Peoria Riverfront is a focal point for outdoor concerts, festivals and recreational activities, while also providing locals with a scenic space for community gatherings. The Illinois River offers seemingly endless opportunities for water-based recreation options, from fishing and boating to paddleboarding and kayaking. Several smaller public parks are scattered throughout the city and feature playgrounds, walking trails and athletic fields. Jubilee College State Park, located 15 miles northwest of the city, has over 10 miles of hiking trails and some historical buildings dating back to the 1850s-era. The Peoria Zoo offers a range of educational programs and special events, like ZooBrew, a craft beer-tasting event. Peoria's location — at the heart of the Corn Belt — also means that the vast majority of the surrounding land has been devoted to agriculture for many generations.
Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the waterfront at Riverfront Park.
Immerse yourself in the Peoria Riverfront Museum located in Downtown Peoria.
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Peoria Public Schools and Bradley University
Peoria Public Schools receives a C-plus rating from Niche. Its standout schools include the A-minus-rated Reservoir Gifted Academy, which enrolls selected academically gifted fifth- through eighth-grade students, and the A-minus-rated Richwoods High School, which offers an International Baccalaureate program. Except for Chicago, Peoria is the only city in Illinois with a school district achieving a mobility rate of over 19% with a low-income rate over 78%. In 2024, its high school graduation rate was 80%, a significant increase from 65% in 2015. Peoria is also home to several private schools, including the A-plus-rated prekindergarten through Grade 12 Daarul Uloom Islamic School; the A-minus-rated pre-K through Grade 12 Peoria Christian School; and the A-minus-rated Peoria Notre Dame High School. Bradley University, a private four-year college in Peoria, enrolls about 4,000 students annually.
Peoria High School challenges and encourages students to learn.
Harold B. Dawson is located within the West Bluff area district.
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Downtown Peoria and the Riverfront Market
Peoria's dining scene features a wide range of culinary options. Notable spots include Alexander's Steakhouse, where guests can cook their steaks to perfection on an open grill, or the locally loved Mediterranean spot: Chef Moussa. Peoria also enjoys a growing number of farm-to-table eateries and international food markets. Downtown Peoria and the historic Warehouse District both provide locals with a variety of shops, art galleries, antique stores and other local businesses to choose from. Peoria's RiverFront Market, held Saturday mornings from May through September, blends entertainment with local commerce, offering an open-air market that features fresh produce, crafts and performances by local musicians.
"Abraham Lincoln Blue 2023" is a famous mural in Downtown Peoria honoring the 16th President.
Residents of Downtown Peoria can enjoy breakfast all day at Meet Me on Madison.
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The Peoria Police Department and weather
In 2023, the Peoria Police Department reported 321 violent offenses per 100,000 people, more than double the Illinois average of 136. "It has its problems, as all cities do, but we've lived downtown and haven't had any problems," Johnson says. "We walk at night, and it's easy to get around. We feel safe."
Peoria also experiences four distinct seasons, with cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers. "We don't get the severe weather like Chicago because we don't have that lake effect and we don't have quite as much wind," Johnson says. "We will have two or three relatively big snowfalls a year, but it seems like there's been fewer and fewer over the last couple of years. You don't get snowed in like in Minneapolis or Chicago. It's quite livable. We have nice summers and plenty of time to be outdoors."
Interstate 74, CityLink and General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport
Peoria is a car-dependent city with some walkable neighborhoods. "We can walk to a lot of restaurants and the Peoria Riverfront Museum," says Johnson, who lives downtown. Interstate 74 runs through the city and also provides easy access to neighboring areas. The Greater Peoria Mass Transit, or CityLink system, provides bus routes connecting the city's neighborhoods to nearby suburbs. Peoria is also roughly equidistant from Chicago and St. Louis, about 170 miles from each. "We've had a lot of people move from other areas of the country because of the cost of living and work from home," Johnson says. "I work from home from a Chicago-based company, and I can be in Chicago in 3 hours." The General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport provides nonstop flights on Allegiant, American and United, and the City of Peoria is currently working with the Federal Railroad Administration to develop plans for a passenger rail to and from Chicago.
The Peoria Riverfront Jazz and Art Festival and the Peoria Riverfront Museum
Peoria's annual festivals, live performances and community gatherings bring this city's spirit to life. One of Peoria's premier events is the Peoria Riverfront Jazz and Art Festival, which attracts local and national artists to its RiverFront Park, overlooking the Illinois River, each year. The Peoria Civic Center is the heart of entertainment in the city, and hosts a wide range of events, from Broadway shows, concerts and exhibitions to the Peoria Symphony Orchestra's performances. "The local symphony orchestra is one of the oldest in the U.S. and is top-notch for the size of the city," Johnson says. "People come down from Chicago just to play in our orchestra. We have a wonderful musical director who's brought in great artists. I've been on and off the board for about 20 years." Johnson considers the orchestra one of the city's treasures, along with the Peoria Riverfront Museum, a nonprofit art, science and history center. Johnson also notes that Peoria's vibrant arts scene leads the city's progressive culture. "Peoria is a very progressive community for LGBTQ people because we have a lot of art and artists here," she says. "People here are very accepted. You'd think a small Midwestern city might be provincial, but it's not."
Local beer from all over Illinois can be found at Parks on Tap.
Fresh watermelon and other fruits can be purchased weekly at the Peoria Farmers Market.
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