Peoria, Illinois: Among Best of College Towns

While major cities often come to mind for college towns, not everyone wants the bustle of big city life. A small city that has a great deal for its size sits in central Illinois. It is home to Illinois Central College, as well as Bradley University, certainly qualifying it as a college town. There is also Midstate College, St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria Barber College and the University of Illinois School of Medicine. This makes Peoria rich in learning opportunity.

The academic opportunities are varied and at many levels from specific training to Bradley University's history of academic excellence. College sports, likewise, abound as well as a minor league baseball team. An airport allows for air arrival and a location on a major interstate allows easy access by roadway from anywhere, with interstate 74 running through the city that sits an easy hour's drive off of I80.

The apartment and on campus living is something to book early for best selection, because it is a college town with multiple places. This can be an advantage in some ways but when it comes to housing it's students of multiple colleges looking for the same type of housing - convenient and affordable. Many apartment communities are available in Peoria as well.

Movie theaters, a mall and a wide range of fast food type restaurants as well as buffet dining and several "dress up" restaurants are close by. There is a network of buses that run through the city for those without a car. Across the river in East Peoria is a super Wal-Mart as well as office supply stores. College living also can mean conserving on meals but with several well known grocery stores such as Kroger and Cub Foods there is a choice in shopping as well. There is also, for the smart students that stock up, a GFS Marketplace where the public can get large sizes of pepper, spices and other seasonings, large bags of pasta and other foods. There is no membership required and it's a great way to stretch the budget. Comparison shopping insures you get the best deal for your dollar.

Several movie rental and other at-home entertainment places also cater to the public. There are parks and, for those who like small towns, just 15 minutes away is a "small town USA" type town that is as rural as many would want. Within an hour are a wide range of parks and outdoor recreational places as well as several other community and local colleges. A state park with hiking trails is just a short 10 minute drive west of Peoria.

For the mix of accessibility, education and college living Peoria is among the best towns for students. I've lived in several college towns and although some may have other amenities, for the big package Peoria Illinois has a great deal to offer.