My thanks to kaitl for redirecting me here. If you saw my post on uiuc, sorry that you're seeing it twice...

First of all, let me give a brief introduction. My name is the same as my user name, and I'm a Human Resource Management and English Creative Writing major (double degree, so two separate bachelors) at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida.

So I know, why am I posting here? My wife is going to law school come August. And we were all set to go to one school, and then UIUC's Law School came strongly into the picture and all in all is sitting fairly even with where we were planning on going.

And that's where my post comes in. See, we really know nothing about the area. All we know are some of the things we found online, soooo...

If there's anything that you could tell us that might help out:
1) Apartment complexes? We've got a cat, so pet friendly. 1br/1bth at least, preferably something not slummy, semi-decent, no roommates (if possible). Close to the university or on the busline.
2) The job market? I'm graduating in August, I have no connections in Illinois. Places that are good, places that hire, good leads, anything. I'm a retail background guy, and I'm very much a people person and I get along with anyone. Seriously, anyone. And I'm not afraid to flip burgers for a few months while I work my way up.
3) Things to do? I'm into music (guitarist/songwriter), art, writing/poetry, outdoorsy stuff. I'm trying to get back into athletics and working out and would be up for rec teams. So like, nature trails, outdoorsy stuff, what's there for fun? Concerts? Shows? Venues?
4) What's Illinois really like? Conservative, liberal, farm, city, atmosphere of the town, lifestyle, transportation, real cost of living, etc.

I know that the memories here are fairly extensive, and I'll be combing through them, but any and all direct points that people can give me would be extraordinarily helpful, seeing I've got a lot to sort through and minimal time to do it in...

Thanks everyone. And I hate to pressure a response, but I'm sorta in need of this information within the next, oh, 24 hours? Its one of those things that's coming right down to the wire...

Current Mood: curious