Last Updated on: 16th August 2024, 11:54 am
Spend some time researching the best neighborhoods in Peoria IL! US News considers Peoria to be the best place to live in Illinois. A major factor in that ranking is Peoria neighborhoods. Each Peoria neighborhood is distinct, with some being suitable for singles and young professionals and others being better for retirees and families.
You have plenty of options for a safe, affordable, and fun life in Peoria, IL. However, it can be hard to narrow your options down and select one place to live out of the many Peoria IL neighborhoods. You can start by getting information on the best neighborhoods in Peoria and then making comparisons amongst them. Once you’ve done that, you can look at the best Peoria suburbs and decide on the perfect place to live. Here is your guide on the best places to live in Peoria Illinois, and Peoria County.
Table of Contents
Downtown Peoria | Best Peoria Neighborhood for Jobseekers and Commuters
- Population: 1,726
- Average rent for Downtown Peoria apartments: $854 a month
- Median home price for Downtown Peoria homes for sale: $135,000
- Downtown Peoria crime: N/A
Downtown Peoria is the top Peoria neighborhood for attractions. The Peoria Civic Center is an entertainment venue home to concerts, stand-up comedy performances, and theatrical productions. The Peoria Riverfront Museum is one of the top kid-friendly things to do in Peoria. The museum is multidisciplinary, containing science, arts, and historical installations, including a planetarium and a movie theater with a 70-foot screen.
Downtown Peoria is also the business and jobs hub for the city, with a low Peoria cost of living. Over 17,000 jobs are based in Downtown Peoria at hundreds of different businesses, including the headquarters of OSF Hospital and Carle Health Methodist Hospital. Nearly all routes in the CityLink public transportation system have at least one stop in Downtown Peoria, making it the best neighborhood for commuters and accessibility.
Are you ready to start moving to the best neighborhoods in Peoria IL? Contact Federal Companies now and get a free estimate for top Peoria movers!
South Peoria | Affordable Peoria Homes for Sale in a Quiet Community
- Population: 10,331
- Average rent of South Peoria apartments: $889 a month
- Median home price of South Peoria homes for sale: $40,000
- South Peoria crime: N/A
South Peoria has some of the most affordable real estate in Peoria, making it one of the best neighborhoods in Peoria IL for prospective homebuyers. Two and three-bedroom homes for sale are available for less than $25,000, though they’re sold as-is and may need additional renovations. You can also purchase condos in historic buildings with three bedrooms and over 2,000 square feet of space for less than $250,000. If you want to rent a home or apartment, many homes for rent are available for less than $1,000. These homes have similar features to homes for sale, containing vinyl plank flooring and marble-tiled walls.
South Peoria is a predominantly residential neighborhood with few major attractions, so it’s one of the top Peoria IL neighborhoods for people looking for a private place to live. The Logan Park is in the center of the community and has three basketball courts, a soccer field, and a splash pad. While the lack of attractions means South Peoria is not as vibrant as other Peoria neighborhoods, it makes the neighborhood quieter. You will have fewer tourists to deal with, so you don’t have to worry about traffic congestion. The community is walkable and easy to navigate, as the streets are laid out in a gridlike fashion with even blocks.
North Valley | Diverse and Family-Friendly Peoria Neighborhood With Top Outdoor Attractions
- Population: 5,210
- Average rent for North Valley apartments: $812 a month
- Median home price for North Valley homes for sale: $39,000
- North Valley crime: N/A
North Valley is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Peoria. 42.3% of North Valley residents identify as Black or African American, while 13.3% identify as Hispanic or Latino and 4.8% as two or more races. The neighborhood is most popular amongst singles, with 43.2% of residents living by themselves.
However, married couples with children make up nearly one-third of households in North Valley. North Valley contains or is close to various kid-friendly attractions, making it one of the best neighborhoods in Peoria IL for young children. The Peoria Zoo covers 14 acres and contains over 100 species of animals, including giraffes and spider monkeys. Glen Oak Park contains a five-acre botanical garden, walking trails, and historic landmarks, including statues and public sundials.
North Valley is a riverfront neighborhood located along the Illinois River and Peoria Lake. The neighborhood contains several marinas and spots for boating, including the Detweiller Marina, which contains 180 boat slips.
Are you ready to enjoy quality attractions in a diverse and fun community? Call 800-747-4100 for a free quote, and start your move to the best neighborhoods in Peoria IL now!
West Bluff | Historic Peoria Neighborhood Popular Amongst College Students
- Population: 13,381
- Average rent for West Bluff apartments: $830 a month
- Median home price for West Bluff homes for sale: $73,900
- West Bluff crime: N/A
West Bluff is a historic district and neighborhood well-known for its quaint atmosphere and lavish architecture. Frank Lloyd Wright built two homes in the community, and you can also find historic homes like the Pettengill-Morron House. Historic properties have classy features like spacious front porches, stone and brick exteriors, and shuttered windows. Some homes, like the Pettengill-Morron House, are available for tours, making West Bluff one of the best neighborhoods in Peoria for academics.
West Bluff is one of the most upscale neighborhoods in Peoria, but home prices are still affordable. The real estate is diverse, with options for duplexes and single-family homes for sale with various features. Some homes are modest, with one or two bedrooms and less than 1,500 square feet, while others are larger and can accommodate families with young children. Nearly all homes in the neighborhood cost less than $200,000, and a real estate professional can help you get a more affordable property.
The neighborhood is home to Bradley University, which US News ranks in the top 50 value schools amongst national universities. Bradley University is home to nearly 200 different programs, including over 30 graduate programs, with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1.
East Bluff | Best Peoria Neighborhood for K-12 Students
- Population: 11,734
- Average rent for East Bluff apartments: $896 a month
- Median home price for East Bluff homes for sale: $87,990
- East Bluff crime: N/A
East Bluff is a compact, walkable residential neighborhood with very few attractions. This makes East Bluff less vibrant than the other best neighborhoods in Peoria IL, but it makes it perfect for families and retirees looking for a quiet community. East Bluff Community Center is at the center of East Bluff. East Bluff Community Center has a weekly food pantry and is home to youth development programs like after-school counseling and summer camps.
Several public schools are in or close to East Bluff, making East Bluff one of the best Peoria neighborhoods for schoolchildren. Glen Oak Community Learning Center is a K-8 school down the street from East Bluff Community Center. The school employs 39 full-time teachers, all of whom are professionally certified. Lincoln K-8 School has 48 full-time and fully certified teachers. Lincoln K-8 School is next to Woodruff Career and Technical Center, a vocational high school. The school has 16 programs in fields like barbering, criminal justice, and information technology. Young children can go to Cadence Academy Preschool, which offers childcare for infants, toddlers, and pre-kindergarten students.
State Route 40 forms the eastern border of East Bluff. You can find unique and family-friendly restaurants on both sides of the route, so East Bluff is one of the best neighborhoods in Peoria for restaurant enthusiasts. The Chef and The Baker offers fresh baked goods, sandwiches, and salads at affordable prices. Chinatown Kitchen serves classic Chinese dishes, including ten different types of fried rice. You can also use State Route 40 to travel to cities in Central Illinois.
Does East Bluff sound like the best place to live in Peoria IL? Schedule an appointment with Federal Companies today!
Northwest Peoria | Safe Peoria Neighborhood for Outdoor Attractions and Golfers
- Population: 10,467
- Average rent for Northwest Peoria apartments: $1,097 a month
- Median home price for Northwest Peoria homes for sale: $192,000
- Northwest Peoria crime: N/A
Northwest Peoria is one of the least developed Peoria neighborhoods, with large green spaces and golf courses. These areas make Northwest Peoria one of the quietest neighborhoods and one of the best neighborhoods for retirees.
There are two major golf courses in Northwest Peoria. Kellogg Golf Course has an 18-hole championship golf course with an on-site pro shop. The course is also home to a nine-hole executive golf course perfect for short games during the day. Kellogg Golf Course is a public golf course that Peoria Parks maintains, so its prices are low, and you can visit whenever you want. Weaver Ridge Golf Course is a privately owned course with 18 holes, each with five tees. Weaver Ridge Golf Course is home to a learning center with driving ranges and golf simulators, helping you sharpen your skills.
Northwest Peoria contains other top outdoor attractions. The Louisville Slugger Sports Complex is the top sports complex in the Midwest. It has 10 synthetic turf fields, a 126,000-square-foot multi-purpose indoor arena, a stadium with two baseball fields, and a fully-stocked pro shop. Charter Oak Park covers 120 acres and contains fishing piers, walking trails, and picnic fields.
Northwest Peoria is one of the safest neighborhoods in Peoria IL, with a crime rate lower than the Peoria crime rate. You have a 1-in-64 chance of experiencing crime while living in Northwest Peoria.
North Peoria | Nice Peoria Neighborhood With Stores, Parks, and Delicious Restaurants
- Population: 14,872
- Average rent for North Peoria apartments: $1,039 a month
- Median home price for North Peoria homes for sale: $230,000
- North Peoria crime: N/A
North Peoria contains a mixture of green spaces, compact cul-de-sacs, and sprawling commercial sectors. It’s one of the best neighborhoods in Peoria IL for someone who wants a little bit of everything. You can enjoy shopping destinations like ALDI, Walmart, and Menards. You can take your kids to family-friendly indoor attractions like Elevate Trampoline Park, which also contains an indoor laser tag arena. Mt Hawley Bowl contains 24 bowling lanes and an 18-hole mini golf course.
When the weather’s nice, you can visit Mt. Hawley Country Club. Mt. Hawley is one of the oldest country clubs in Peoria, opening its doors in 1922. The club contains three outdoor swimming pools, an 18-hole golf course, and four tennis courts. Detweiller Park is free and open to the public and is popular amongst the residents of many neighborhoods in Peoria. Detweiller Park covers 760 acres and contains walking trails, a football field, and a BMX track. The park is home to thousands of trees, making it a top place for anyone interested in looking at fall colors.
Top restaurants in North Peoria include Avantis Peoria, a casual Italian eatery well known for its freshly baked bread. Industry Brewing Company is a microbrewery with dozens of beers, wines, and other beverages on tap. Industry Brewing Company is a top venue for live music performances, making it a great location for dates and nights out with friends. Indian Tadka is an Indian-Chinese restaurant with an extensive vegetarian menu.
Peoria Neighborhoods Map
You can use this map of Peoria neighborhoods to find the best place to live in Peoria for you and your family.
The best neighborhoods in Peoria IL may surprise you! If you’re looking for an affordable and spacious home with charm, you can move to South Peoria and West Bluff. If you want exciting attractions, you can move to Downtown Peoria and North Peoria.
No matter what Peoria neighborhood you’re moving to, you should hire experienced movers for your upcoming move. Federal Companies has the best Peoria movers, with over 100 years of experience. Call 800-747-4100 for a free estimate now.
