We're #1: Peoria is ranked as best place to live in Illinois by US News & World Report
A national publication has ranked Peoria as the best place to live in Illinois.
Peoria, which was rated as the 50th best place to live in the U.S., beat out the Quad Cities (ranked at 53rd), Chicago (79th) and Rockford (127th).
The report by U.S. News & World Report focused on 150 cities, providing separate rankings for the best place to live, the best place to retire, and the cheapest place to live. Peoria was rated 9th for the cheapest place to live, but only 97th for the best place to retire. Warm weather apparently puts cities higher in the ranking for retirement – the report’s best-rated retirement cities were in Florida.
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Rankings were determined through an analysis of public data and user opinions, and take into account the job market, the housing market, and other factors that relate to resident satisfaction like crime, the educational level of residents and air quality.
The report on Peoria, which was written by former Journal Star opinion editor Mike Bailey, gives detailed information about the community, from housing to entertainment.
“You can buy a lot of house for relatively little money in this metro area’s gentrified urban neighborhoods, along its river-view bluff and in its family-filled suburban subdivisions. Gritty old warehouses are becoming entertainment districts where foodies congregate, live music flourishes and loft apartments multiply. Stage theater is returning to architectural-jewel venues.
"Summer and fall bring a festival most weekends. Bradley Braves basketball is beloved. An extensive trail network, park system and other outdoor offerings beckon bikers and boaters, hikers and hunters.”
Though the report was fairly glowing, it does mention the high taxes and extra fees residents are required to pay.
More: Think you're being nickel-and-dimed on taxes and fees? How Peoria really spends the money
“Offsetting central Illinois' advantages are high taxes relative to the rest of the nation, especially property and sales taxes. Peoria assesses additional taxes on stormwater runoff; on various utilities such as electricity, gas, telephone service and water; and on hotels, restaurants and amusement activities. The city also charges fees to fund residential garbage pickup and public safety employee pensions.”
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria best place to live in Illinois, says national ranked list