Pontiac has some Hollywood links and was the setting for the 1984 film, Grandview, U.S.A. starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Patrick Swayze. Now that's a claim to fame!
Of course, that was just a flash in the pan, and Pontiac isn't exactly L
Pontiac has some Hollywood links and was the setting for the 1984 film, Grandview, U.S.A. starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Patrick Swayze. Now that's a claim to fame!
Of course, that was just a flash in the pan, and Pontiac isn't exactly L.A. However, the city does have a lot going for it, and despite having a population of only 11,931, this town really offers a lot for newcomers and visitors alike. It's the county seat of Livingston County, Illinois and is pretty flat and surrounded by farmland, but has great transport links out towards the more populous areas to the north, with Chicago about 100 miles along Interstate 55. Closer and to the south are the towns of Bloomington and Champaign, the former just about within commuting distance for those who don't mind the drive. Pontiac also sits on the world-famous Route 66 with several wayside exhibits along the road through town that are well worth checking out for anyone passing through.
Pontiac has a good range of homes to rent, from rental apartments to rental houses and everything else in between. There are nearly 5,000 properties in the city, so finding somewhere suitable shouldn't be too difficult. Because of the wide variety of available rentals, there is something for everyone in Pontiac.
You'll Need a Car
Most people in Pontiac use their own cars to get to work. It's not like New York where you can just jump on the subway or take a bus. In Pontiac, how you get around will be up to you. Thankfully, traffic is low, and commuting times average out at only about 15 minutes. Most people work locally as there aren't any major cities nearby to commute to, but that doesn't mean you can't set off up Route 66 or the interstate on the weekends to enjoy the sight, sand and sounds of Chicago and Lake Michigan.
Finding a Property to Rent
First stop, decide what you need in a rental. Pontiac's residential market is made up of about 70% detached housing, and most of the rest is small apartment buildings and high rises. Zero-bedroom apartments are very rare, so there goes your chance of finding studio apartments for rent if your budget is tight. Truth be told, you're probably going to need to stretch to a one-bedroom place if you're on your own. Most properties have between two and three bedrooms, which is fine for many, although big families might have a harder time finding something to suit every member of the family. You know kids like to have their space these days and won't want to bunk up with their brothers and sisters!
Don't Prepare to Fail
That's just a roundabout way of saying 'make sure you're prepared!' Don't dither around and umm and ahhh about whether to take a property. Before you know it, someone else would have swooped in under you and snapped it up for themselves. And fairly enough, frankly. If you're not on the ball, you might lose out, so get your references together, your pay stubs, your credit reports, your security deposit and anything you might need to lock down the rental right there and then. Do that, and you should have no trouble finding somewhere fast.
Of course, before you actually find a property, it might be worth having a cruise around town to see if there's any spot you particularly like. This does have the potential to backfire on you if you fall in love with a certain street only to find there's nothing available to on it, but the principle is sound. Take a look around and consider your preferences and priorities, such as being close to work, getting the most for your money, whether you want to be that close to the interstate and all those rushing cars and so on. There are only three neighborhoods in the city anyway, so the choices aren't too wide.
City Center: The Vermilion River cuts straight through with a couple of parks and trails along its banks. Route 66 wraps around the western edge of the city heading north towards Chicago, and there are some great wayside exhibits to check out. If you need to take the train, Pontiac Amtrak is right there, while the Pontiac Oakland Auto Museum is pretty interesting...if you like cars, that is.
E Howard Street / N Hazel Street: Looking for a nicer, larger home for rent in Pontiac? You might find it here, with wide streets and larger three- to four-bedrooms houses being the norm. This neighborhood is also home to the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame Museum -- a real center point in town -- and the Livingston County Courthouse, for those who've been naughty.
N 1600 East Road / E 1500 North Road: Enjoy a touch of golf? Great, you'll love Pontiac Elks Country Club. There's a big Walmart here for your bulk-buying grocery needs, while Play Park on a bend of the Vermilion River is a popular spot during the spring and summer.
Pontiac has grown into a popular destination for visitors over the years, and people like to visit for the same reasons that they like to live there. There are four museums in town, along with a great collection of painted murals. There are five Route 66 sites, and a whole lot of other attractions. The swinging bridges over the river are pretty unique, too.
Those who enjoy the outdoors will enjoy Pontiac. It's got boating, canoeing, disc golf, regular golf, fishing, rollerblading and a host of parks and nature centers, most of which have plenty of playground equipment and sporting facilities for all to enjoy.
There are loads of restaurants and bars, too, some of which have appeared to cater to all these new visitors shipping into town each year, many of them on their journey up Route 66. Bernardi's II, David's Restaurant and La Casa Jalisco are just three options, each showing a different type of food from around the world.
Transport through town is limited, and you're not going to find buses rushing up and down the street -- but for many, that's a good thing. Most weekends through the spring, summer and fall, you'll see the Jolly Trolley cruise between interesting viewing points, carrying visitors with them, but most locals tend to get around by car or foot. If, however, you're heading out of town, you can do so by coach, rail or car along the major routes north and south. And if you've got deep pockets, there's even a regional airport for private planes!
