c.1905 Illinois Home W/ Original Elements Under $50K

Roll up your sleeves & let your imagination run wild! Start with the setting: a deep, wooded lot complete with a picturesque bridge crossing a creek. A newer backyard shed (not completed) begs to become storage, a man cave or the she shed of your dreams. Relax on the 22×8 covered front porch or fire up the grill on the 16×12 deck, accessible via a slider off the dinette. There’s even a 16×11 patio off the walkout basement. Inside, natural woodwork and hardwood floors set a warm, timeless tone. The generous sized living room flows into a spacious formal dining room. The kitchen features a huge picture window above the sink & a handy butler’s pantry. Upstairs are 3 bedrooms and a bathroom featuring a clawfoot tub. Great storage or potential to expand in the walk-up floored attic. The finished walkout lower level offers a large, tiled family room with an adjoining 10×5 nook ideal for a bar. Lower level, 11×10 tiled workshop. Practical updates include a HE furnace & an updated 100 amp electrical panel. Steps from Columbia Park, the McClure Branch library and bus route. Home is sold as-is. 2 addendums must accompany offer.

Pros of Living in Peoria, IL

• Exceptional Housing Affordability: The cost of living sits well below the national average, particularly in real estate. Median home prices remain remarkably low, allowing buyers to get substantially more square footage and land than in larger metro areas.

   

• Healthcare & Educational Hub: Peoria serves as a major medical center for Central Illinois, anchored by OSF HealthCare and UnityPoint Health. It is also home to Bradley University and the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria.

   

• Central Midwest Location & Fast Commutes: Average local drive times are under 20 minutes across town.Additionally, Peoria is centrally located roughly 2.5 to 3 hours from Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis for easy weekend trips.

   

• Parks, Riverfront & Cultural Amenities: Highlights include the Forest Park Nature Center, Grandview Drive, the Peoria Zoo, the Peoria Riverfront Museum, and live performances at the Peoria Civic Center. Peoria Heights offers walkable dining, local shops, and scenic valley overlooks.

   

Cons of Living in Peoria, IL

• High Illinois Tax Burden: While housing purchase prices are cheap, property taxes in Illinois are among the highest in the nation. Combined with state income and local sales taxes, ongoing tax expenses can eat into housing savings.

   

• Shifting Local Economy: While Caterpillar maintains a presence, the relocation of its corporate headquarters away from Peoria altered the local job market. Specialized corporate, tech, or high-level professional opportunities outside healthcare can be competitive or limited.

   

• Crime & Neighborhood Disparities: Crime rates—particularly violent crime—are elevated compared to national averages, though issues are concentrated in specific neighborhoods rather than spread uniformly across the metro area.

   

• Harsh Winter Weather: Winter brings freezing temperatures, snow, and gray skies from December through March.

• Car Dependency & Aging Infrastructure: Public transit options are minimal, making a personal vehicle necessary. Municipal road conditions frequently suffer from freeze-thaw cycles and severe potholing.