I'm a former Chicago resident that's happy to be living and playing in Peoria

Moving to Peoria was never part of the plan. 

I’m here because my partner attends the University of Illinois College of Medicine, and though we expected Grant to be placed at the school’s flagship campus, he was instead placed in Peoria. 

Grant completed his first semester virtually from Chicago. In January, he moved to Peoria with two of our three cats. I joined him in July with our third fur baby.

I dreaded my decision whether to move to Peoria or stay in Chicago. I loved my job. I loved my neighbors. I knew nothing about Peoria, other than its “Will it play?” catchphrase. 

But in the six months I spent visiting Grant, I fell in love with the River City. 

Playing in Peoria 

Hilly and lush, Peoria was far from the flat prairie or cornfield I’d imagined. And I quickly realized there are so many ways to “play” here. 

In January, we laced up our snow boots and hiked the Pimiteoui Trail and cross country skied at Donovan Park. We stood at the peak of Grandview Drive — dubbed the “world’s most beautiful drive” by former President Theodore Roosevelt — and marveled at the snow-covered bluffs lining the Illinois River. 

As the weather warmed, we hiked Rocky Glen. We hit golf balls at a rural driving range. One weekend, we drove down to Shawnee National Forest. 

Having ample opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in solitude was a welcome change from Chicago’s oft-packed parks and trails. 

I love antiquing, and history-rich Peoria has no shortage of treasures. In one hour at Church Mouse, we found a Bassett dresser in mint condition, a mid-century floor lamp and a framed photo of the millennium sunrise over the Peoria skyline — all for under $70.

If there’s any hobby I love more than thrifting, it’s eating. Peoria definitely held its weight against foodie-famous Chicago. In the first couple of weekends I visited Grant, I was wowed by breakfast at One World Cafe, lunch at W.E. Sullivan’s and dinner at Thanh Linh. 

As I continued exploring, I noticed life just felt easy in Peoria. I never once had trouble finding a parking spot, nor did I ever have to pay for parking. Crime happens everywhere and Peoria’s no exception, but for whatever reason, I feel much safer here than in my Chicago neighborhood. Our cats even felt more relaxed here. They hated being outdoors in noisy, sensory-overloaded Chicago. But in Peoria, they fearlessly slipped back into their harnesses and enjoyed strolls on the West Bluff.

A real city 

Peoria’s sense of community appealed to me greatly. Before moving down, I saw Peorians turn out in droves for group bike rides and cultural festivals. Because it doesn’t take longer than 20 minutes to get across town, Grant and I actually participated in more community events here than we ever did in Chicago. 

Now that I’m fully settled, I’m reflecting on how refreshing it is to live in a city where different versions of the American experience seem to blend together in harmony, where our country’s “rural-urban divide” doesn’t feel quite as harsh. Peoria is surrounded by some of the richest soil in the world, and I love being an hour drive from Grant’s family, fifth-generation farmers in McLean County. Though we’re in a city, local farmers’ goods are in abundance on store shelves and market booths. 

Within Peoria, a diverse private sector employs health-care workers, engineers and manufacturers. There’s also an academic community of professors and students. One of my favorite memories thus far as a fledgling Peorian is going to the Bike Co-Op for help with my bike chain. 

Peoria’s inclusivity surprised me. Crowds pack Club Diesel for drag shows. Lit. on Fire Books reminds me of the kinds of businesses I appreciated in my hometown of Bloomington, Ind., another Midwestern college town. (Go, Hoosiers!) 

More:Zion Coffee in the Peoria Warehouse District will soon have new owners

Speaking of small businesses, Peoria has so many. Cafe Santa Rosa and Thirty-Thirty are my favorite coffee haunts. Chef Moussa cooks food from his native country of Lebanon. I haven’t yet told him I’m part Iraqi, but I hope to practice my Arabic there next time I order. Independent businesses are the backbone of a community, and their continued success following a pandemic proves Peorians value shopping small.  

As I sat down to write this column, I realized: Peoria clearly has all the ingredients to be the next big thing. 

Why does this city still feel so misunderstood? 

While perusing Urban Artifacts’ fantastic section of Peoria and Illinois-themed books, I spotted an interesting title, “It Didn’t Play in Peoria.” The book chronicles moments throughout history in which Peoria almost became the next Chicago or St. Louis, but for myriad reasons, didn’t. I believe the future is bright for Peoria. Others do, too. With her witty and upbeat videos, TikToker Angie Ostaszewski is encouraging dozens of transplants to relocate. I hope that trend continues. 

Chicago will always have a piece of my heart. But I sincerely look forward to spending my late 20s in Peoria — a diverse city with so much to offer. Next month, I will learn even more about Peoria when I start my new job as a reporter at WCBU, Peoria’s local NPR affiliate.

In the meantime, I’d love to get to know you, and hear why you love Peoria. I’m on TikTok @crazycatmom26 and Twitter @HannahAlani.