Princeton's previous nickname was "The City of Elms" due to the large population of elm trees that thrived in the area. However, an epidemic struck the trees, killing almost every single one of them stone dead. The city's nickname was, needless to say, quickly dropped in favor of something a little more positive.
The city of Princeton is the county seat of Bureau County, Illinois. From the 2014 census, the population stood at 7,700. The choice for the city's name rested with three trustees for the area back in 1906, each of whom presented their own favorite name, upon which time there was a drawing from a hat to determine the outcome. The major employers for the city include Ace Hardware Retail Support Center, MTM Recognition, the makers of world championship rings, and Champion Pneumatic, who are the champions at manufacturing air compressors.
Moving to Princeton
Looking for a home for rent in Princeton? No problem -- there's tons of availability! With that said, you merely need a couple of weeks and no doubt you'll land the near-perfect catch, irrespective of whether you're intent on searching out house rentals, two-bedroom apartments or three-bedroom apartments. There are a few things to consider, however, prior to embarking on the less-than arduous task.
City Dweller or Country Bumpkin?
Where in Princeton really appeals to you the most? Plenty of folks are excited by the thought of an urban dwelling, where others much prefer to opt for more in the way of a country bumpkin-type lifestyle, at least when they return from work. Well, whichever it is for you, you'll no doubt fall in love with this little city.
Pet-Friendly Country?
For many folks who are looking for a new rental, one thing that is generally a major concern, should they be the owner of a pet or two, is the acceptability of the pet (or two) to the prospective landlord. Rest easy! There are so many rental homes in Princeton to choose from that you'll be hard-pressed not to find a pet-friendly place. You may be asked to leave a deposit for the animal, but otherwise, there's rarely much in the way of hard-and-fast demands made on those who own their own pets other than to scoop the poop whenever it's necessary.
Neighborhoods in Princeton
Though there's not too much of a buoyant nightlife scene in Princeton, it's still an excellent place to reside in terms of the amount of amenities that are close by. It's also good for those who need to commute to work either by road or by train.
East Peru Street: A terrific location for easy access to local amenities with an extremely healthy walk score of 88 out of 100, East Peru Street offers six schools within a mile, plus nine restaurants within easy walking distance. Among the restaurants, perhaps the most notable ones are Kramer's Kitchen and the Pizza Cellar (as in "seller").
South Main Street: This is another excellent spot within Princeton if you're hoping to have amenities sitting almost literally on your doorstep. With easy access to local shops and restaurants, South Main Street really should be on your list of considerations!
North Main Street: Plenty of close by amenities make North Main Street an attractive place to target if you're out on the hunt for a pad.
Living in Princeton
Princeton is well connected to the surrounding areas by road. To the north side of the city lies Interstate 80, which journeys northeast to Chicago, about 100 miles distant. U.S. Routes 6 and 34, and Illinois Route 26 also run through Princeton. Amtrak provides a passenger rail train to Princeton, which travels to and from Chicago on a regular basis.
The Bureau County Historical Society Museum is located on Park Avenue West, Princeton. Here you'll find displays pertaining to the locality from yesteryear, as well as an extensive genealogy section. The staff are knowledgeable and particularly friendly. If you're on the lookout for some tucker, then Four and Twenty Caf̩ Restaurant on South Main St. is well worthy of a visit. They only serve up breakfasts and brunches, but don't let that stop you. It's said to be one of the best eateries in central Illinois!