Becoming a Bloomie

Renting an apartment in Bloomington, Illinois, is a great alternative to homesteading in the Windy City because you get the convenience of the city without all the crime and tourists. Located in McLean County and part of the Bloomington-Normal Metropolitan area, “Bloomtown,” as its known to the locals, is the twelfth most populous city in the state with a population of 76,610 as of 2010. If you make your home within the boundaries of Bloomington's 22.5 square miles, you'll find yourself quickly warming up to the home-town pride and joining the ranks of the “Bloomies,” as residents are called. Back in Bloomington's early days, the Native American Kickapoo people roamed the land. Nowadays, the county seat of McLean is a busy transportation hub, with US highways 51 and 150 and Illinois state route 9 running through the city. Find out from locals at our LocalTalk page why renting an apartment in Bloomington is a great choice in today's rental market.

The Word on Rental Rates in Bloomtown

In a city of over 76,000, you know you'll have plenty of choices when it comes to renting an apartment. This goes for size as well as price. Bloomington has options in a wide price range, and all kinds of spaces from studios to lofts to suit whatever tastes you bring to the table.  Whatever you decide for your new digs, Bloomington has what you need for renting an apartment.

Bloomtown's Options for Family Fun

Once you find your perfect apartment and you're all settled in, you'll want to check out the entertainment offerings Bloomington has in store. A local favorite is the Miller Park Zoo, where you can scope sun bears, Sumatran tigers, red pandas, and bald eagles. In the Tropical America Rainforest exhibit, you'll find rarities like Saki monkeys, Scarlet Ibis, and brown basilisks. The zoo is home to a clan of New Guinea Singing Dogs as well as Galapagos and African Spurred Tortoise. You won't find yourself short on fauna to entice the animal lover. The zoo also offers classes and camps through the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, and you can even have your next birthday party at the zoo, complete with an up-close encounter with zoo animals.

They did a great job with the zoo, and you shouldn't expect any less from the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department when it comes to providing programs for their community. The parks department maintains a number of parks and trails so you can enjoy the great outdoors close to home. They also run a Community Garden Program where residents can rent their own plot and have the benefits of communal gardening facilities and advice from the experts. Cascades Golf Course is part of the parks department, and features 3 separate 9 hole courses on 200 acres of rolling hills. The course gets its name from the babbling of nearby waterfalls that can be heard from the green.

Elsewhere in Bloomington, the family fun can keep on going. There's even a park dedicated to the cause. Check out Grady's Family Fun Park, the only amusement park in the greater Bloomington area. The park is complete with an 18-hole mini golf course, batting cages, bumper boats, kiddie rides, and of course, go carts. There is a ferris wheel for the fearless, a motorcycle jump for Evel Knievel wannabees, and a tilt-o-whirl to take you back to those classic carnival days. Inside, you can get refreshments at the ice cream shoppe or pick up a pie at Grady's Pizza.

Endless Amusement Offerings in Bloomington

It's not possible to get stuck home in the apartment with all the choices for entertainment in Bloomington. The Pepsi Ice Center is another must for an outing with the family. Another operation put on by the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, the ice center has everything you'd expect from a rink, from public skating and concessions to ice skating lessons, a thorough hockey program, and even a curling league. You can catch the award-winning Red, White, and Blades Synchronized Skating Team strutting their stuff on the ice, or practice your balance on the ice as you join in on a broom-ball game.

For some anti-gravity adventures, stop by the Upper Limits Indoor Rock Gym. This rock climbing gym boasts 65 foot silos and a 110 foot outdoor climbing wall, plus a main climbing area of overhanging terrain. They offer classes like Rock Gym 101, Intro to Outdoor Climbing, and a Family Class so you can learn belaying and knot tying skills with the kids. They also have programs such as Summer Youth Clinics for kids to learn the basics of climbing in a fun and safe environment, and Group Adventure Climbs for parties of six or more. Renting an apartment in Bloomington will never leave you short on adventures for the whole family.