The unique spelling of Marion is shared by actress Marion Ross, best known for her role as Mrs. Cunningham on the hit television series Happy Days. She has long been the unofficial spokeswomen for this fair city!
Marion is a city that has kept a small-town feeling while still offering big city amenities, and finding an apartment to rent in Marion is not difficult. There are also plenty of dining and entertainment establishments - not so small town after all. The Marion Civic Center plays host to touring bands, conventions and various indoor fairs throughout the year, the largest being the Home and Garden Expo. You will find everything you could need to live well in this big little city!
So You Want to Live in Marion?
Renting is typically fast and easy in Marion, with most places wanting an application form with all your necessary information. First and last month's rent and a security deposit are generally necessary - but if you're surprised by that, then there's a different discussion to be had. Some places may run a credit check (better pay that bill!), but this is not the norm.
Neighborhoods
While there are several neighborhoods in Marion, it's important to note that they are more real estate designations than distinct neighborhoods such as the ones you might find with city apartments in larger urban areas.
Court: This is the oldest part of the city, with the homes to prove it. An area that was settled as primarily agricultural, this was the original 'town,' and the older homes were originally those of the town founders, storekeepers and such. Many of them have been converted into apartments, townhouses and condos for rent. There are also many smaller four-bedroom and under homes in this area. Locating an apartment to rent is not difficult here and this is a great area to live in if you are a musician; there are several music stores in the area!
White Ash: As Marion has expanded, it has incorporated many virtually extinct towns into the city itself. One such area is White Ash. This area is largely farmland with houses spread a great deal apart, except for the area that was once the town center. Here you will find a nice residential area with many homes.
City Center: With the shifting of the central hub from Court to the main highway and Interstate, this area grew rapidly. In this area, you'll find an interesting split between apartment complexes and larger four- and five-bedroom homes. This area is dominated by the Marion Regional Airport and a vast complex of what has locally come to be called "Doctors Mall" due to the number of medical facilities in three-block radius.
Wolf Creek: If you want a fair number of people around your living situation, then you might want to concentrate your search for home rentals to this area. Wolf Creek is the primary residential area of Marion, with several apartment complexes, townhouses, duplexes and single family homes.
Local Favorites
Pizza lovers, be sure to stop in for the Saluki Special at Mackies Pizza - and if you don't, then you're wrong. Mackies is named for the mascot of nearby Southern Illinois University and is worth the calories. For something a bit exotic, the Asian Bistro is located near the mall. For barbecue, the award-winning 17th Street Bar and Grill is a great place to stop in with friends. After you finish dining, consider supporting the Southern Illinois Miners, the local minor league baseball team.