Zion Apartment Renter's Guide
Zion Apartment Renter's Guide
Overview
The layout of Zion was originally constructed to mimic the design of the Union Jack flag of the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, the roads that were supposed to form the diagonal parts of the flag were never completed, but it's still a close approximation.
Zion is unique not only for having spawned the 1970s hair rock band Shoes (who were still recording as recently as 2012), but also for being one of only a very few cities in the world to be carefully planned before it was built
The layout of Zion was originally constructed to mimic the design of the Union Jack flag of the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, the roads that were supposed to form the diagonal parts of the flag were never completed, but it's still a close approximation.
Zion is unique not only for having spawned the 1970s hair rock band Shoes (who were still recording as recently as 2012), but also for being one of only a very few cities in the world to be carefully planned before it was built. Other towns and cities have grown up haphazardly around a water source or crossing point between roads, but such chaos wasn't good enough for Zion. Town founder John Alexander Dowie meticulously planned where all the streets would go before the first paving stone was set. Was he some kind of control freak? Probably, but his careful planning means that Zion residents benefit from having good access to their homes and businesses, buildings that are oriented to catch as much natural light as possible, and plenty of parks.
Moving to Zion
Finding a decent apt for rent in Zion shouldn't be too difficult. The vacancy rate is usually pretty high, at least in comparison to other places you might actually want to live in. There's a good mixture of properties, so whether you are searching for two-bedroom apartments or three-bedroom houses for rent, there will probably be something that suits you. Of course, all that choice isn't always a good thing. You might end up having a deer-in-the-headlights moment when the need to make a decision paralyzes you into inaction. Stop that right now. Make a list of what you want from a home -- number of bedrooms, pet-friendly, not so far from the nearest store that going out to buy milk will be a pain in the rear -- then focus your search for apartments on properties that meet your exacting criteria. See? You're learning from Zion's founder already -- planning ahead is the route to success.
Zion Neighborhoods
Now that you've figured out what type of housing you want, it's time to figure out where you want to live. Take a look at the different areas available to get a sense of which would be best for you.
East Zion: The part of Zion that lies to the east of the central Shiloh Park is a pretty sweet spot for several reasons. First of all, the railway station is located in this end of town, right by the corner of Edina Park. If you are planning on riding the tracks to get to wherever you want to go, locating yourself around that area could mean less rushing around in the mornings. The other advantage should be pretty obvious to anyone who has glanced at a map of Zion -- the Illinois Beach State Park, and Lake Michigan beyond it, get closer and closer the further east you go. Want beautiful forest views? Locate yourself on Edina Boulevard if you get the opportunity.
West Zion: Don't go thinking that the other side of town is completely without charms of its own. The expansive Thunderhawk Golf Club will be enough to get some people packing up their clubs and preparing to move right away. You also have a great chance of finding an apartment here that doesn't leave too big a dent in your pocket. It looks like you can afford that golf club membership after all!
Northwest Zion: Even the best plans fall apart eventually. As Zion grew, it couldn't fit entirely within the original planned boundaries. When that happened, the city began to sprawl northwest toward the state boundary with Wisconsin. The homes here were almost all built after 1970 and are a good mix of detached houses and apartment complexes. No, there aren't quite as many amenities in this part of town, but hey, maybe you're the kind of guy (or gal) who enjoys relaxed, simple living?
Living in Zion
Whatever part of Zion you decide to make your mark on, make sure that at some point you take a trip to the Zion Historical Society Museum. There simply isn't enough space here to tell you all about the fascinating history of this town and its eccentric founder, but the museum will quench your thirst for knowledge. Now that your curiosity has been piqued, it looks like you're going to have to pay the town a visit, right?
Still not sure whether Zion is the kind of place for you? What if you found out somehow that it's practically on the shoreline of Lake Michigan, and that the Illinois Beach State Park (which is huge) is right on the doorstep? Your reaction to that news probably tells you whether or not this is the place for you. Nature lovers and fans of water sports are probably packing up their bags right now, and they have every right to be excited. The best opportunities for boating, hiking, swimming and bird-watching in the entire state can be found right here. If the thought of getting your toes wet isn't enough to convince you to move here, then perhaps you'll be more tempted by the thought of easy commutes by bus or rail to Chicago or any of the towns along the way. Owning a car here is useful, and that careful city planning means the traffic isn't too bad (thank the founder once again), but it's nice to know public transportation is a viable option, even if you only use it when your conked-out old pile o' rust refuses to start.