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Normal, IL is a central Illinois college town that, with neighboring Bloomington, forms the Twin Cities, and Illinois State University is its beating heart. ISU's 850-acre campus sits right beside Uptown Normal, a walkable, redeveloped district built around a circular plaza, the Amtrak station, and a run of shops, restaurants, and a farmers market. Students get an easygoing, low-key Midwest base with serious upside: the 45-mile Constitution Trail threads through town for biking and running, public parks are plentiful, and Uptown stays busy with civic events and festivals. Chicago and St. Louis are both a straightforward Amtrak ride away, so when you want a bigger city, the train is right there in Uptown.
The walkable heart of town, steps from campus, the plaza, and the Amtrak station.
Packed with student rentals and purpose-built complexes, walkable to class and easy on the wallet.
Popular for the direct bike route to campus.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Normal.
Connect Transit runs buses across Normal and Bloomington, and Illinois State students ride free with a valid ID, including the campus-focused Redbird routes. The Amtrak station sits right in the middle of Uptown for trips to Chicago or St. Louis. Plenty of students lean on the free buses day to day. The free pass and central rail station make transit an easy default.
Uptown Normal and the campus core are flat and walkable, with the Amtrak station right in the middle. The standout is the Constitution Trail, a 45-mile paved path system that links campus, Uptown, and the neighborhoods for biking and walking. The flat terrain makes cycling easy. Students near campus lean on the trail and their feet day to day.
A car is handy for bigger grocery runs and exploring the wider area, but plenty of students lean on the free buses, the trail, and their bikes day to day. Parking is generally manageable in a town this size. On-campus parking requires a permit. Many students near campus get by without a car entirely.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Normal is friendly on the wallet. Studios average around $650 a month and one-bedrooms near $700, while shared rooms in purpose-built complexes near ISU often land around $500-$700 per person. Splitting a house drops the number further.
Browse student housing near each Normal-area university.