- Will you consider giving me a P-E-O-R-I-A?

I'm Christine Zak-Edmonds, and my guest is cheering the City of Peoria on, on, "Consider This."

(uplifting music) - Hi, my name is Angie and I am not a realtor but I live in super affordable Peoria, Illinois.

I think you should live here too.

Maybe in this house.

- Well, a young woman, fairly new to Peoria absolutely loves it here and has been so thrilled to share that love.

As a result, a few dozen people have relocated here.

I'd like you to meet Angie Ostaszewski, I said it right.

- You did.

- That's a lot of consonants, and very few vowels.

(Angie laughing) And that's your married name?

- No, that's my maiden name.

- That's your maiden name.

- I kept it.

(laughing) - Okay, just because it was so different.

- You know, I'm a glutton for punishment I've had it this long, I might as well stick with it.

(laughing) - Okay, well now you have lived many places but mainly you kind of grew up in Bloomington-Normal area, right?

- Yeah.

- And that was how many years ago?

- Oh gosh, eight years ago.

My family was there for almost 20 years, yeah.

- All right, and then you moved here eight years ago, to Peoria.

- Yeah.

- All right, and what brought you here?

- I came here for love you know, the same old story but yes, I met my now husband he lived in Peoria and he was super active in the community with the bike co-op and volunteering and he really opened my eyes to what a great place this is to live.

- Is he a home-towner?

What's his name, and he's a hometowner?

A home-Peorian, a hometown Peorian?

- His name's Pere and no, he wasn't born here he came here for school to go to Bradley, he's from the Chicago area but he stayed.

- Well, that's nice.

- Yeah.

- It's always good to have people stay.

Well, the reason that we have you on, so we'll start with, you're really, you're a, "TikToK" queen, right?

And I mean, you have a following everywhere.

(laughing) - It is an unexpected following, yes.

I just reached 25,000 subscribers on, "TikToK" but more importantly, as of two days ago, 40 people have moved here from watching my videos, which is again, mind-blowing since last September.

- And you're not a realtor, you just, tell me what you do.

What is your thought process in making your "TikToK" videos?

- So a few years ago actually, I just love looking at affordable listings.

I will post photo compilations on Facebook just 'cause I loved it.

I was always amazed at the prices and-- - [Christine] You're one of those.

- I'm one of those.

- Okay.

- It's like the millennial stereotype we love to look at Realtor and Zillow yes, 100% but also my siblings and I had never lived in the same city as adults they were in Atlanta and Louisville and I started to think, okay, I'm settled down and they could definitely afford to move here.

I mean, they're gonna save money wherever they move into maybe even a larger home and so I started a mission to get them to relocate.

- [Christine] And did you?

- Yes, I got my brother here about four years ago from Atlanta, and my sister and her entire family last year.

Unfortunately, a month into the pandemic not the best time to move but now I live a few blocks from them instead of you know, five-hour drive which is great.

- Right, so it was just a fluke, you just started doing the whole, going online and looking at all these things and you know, this makes sense not just for your family but other people too.

It's a lovely place, affordable housing, isn't it the most affordable city in the country or something right now?

I believe that was recent.

- Yeah, number one most affordable mid-size city in the U.S. - [Christine] Yeah.

- Which I didn't know when I started looking at the listings I just happen to have a lot of Filipino family in California, friends out on the West Coast and I would send them listings and they would be like, "That's not real."

- Right, because, you know.

- I'd be like, you bet it is.

- They could get a 1,500 square foot place for one and a half million dollars out in California or something, right.

- Oh yeah, oh yeah, condos going for what mansion's sell for here yes, exactly.

- Does any of it surprise you?

- You know, before I would share it on Facebook and it was just my friends and family seeing it.

It's definitely been different to have so many people that I've never spoken with in my life how much it resonates with them and how interested they are.

And almost every time I post a tour of a house especially one that's like, I just posted one that's $109,000, three bed, one and a half bath and so many people are like, "In my town that would be," "in my town," it's like, "In Dallas, that'd be a million".

"In California that'd be 2 million", you know, and it's just I mean, it's shocking, like home ownership is so unattainable depending on where you live.

- Yeah, the American dream.

So you're making that dream come true for over 40 people so far and who knows it's going to change in the next week or so you just never know.

- Yeah, you never know.

I have a couple more people I know.

I have friends who are realtors that I have folks who they're asking you know, they go to them and I hear back, oh, I'm talking to a family this week.

I've actually started hearing from employers that they have people from states like Washington and California apply and they're like, how did you hear about this job?

And they'll be like, oh, my wife is obsessed with this girl on "TikTok".

(laughing) So funny.

- And you never dreamed that that could possibly happen?

- No, really not at all.

- So are they mostly millennials then or all different age groups?

- Yeah, I would definitely say it's usually like 18 to 40 and there's a trend for sure where they're coming from, especially now that I'm seeing more people.

It's almost always like the places where it's very expensive so California, Washington, Texas, Arizona now, East Coast as well, Florida or deep south.

So they live somewhere where it's maybe more conservative and they're looking to move somewhere a little bit more progressive.

So Peoria checks the box for both of those and I think it's just the difference is so striking in those places because it's so much more expensive.

- Well, I know that some of my neighbors you know, I don't know we were at something and I mentioned your name and they went, oh Angie.

So I think you helped them to relocate as well, but for the same reasons because they could well, because of this pause that we've had, they can work from home and this way it makes it affordable and they can still do their jobs.

- Yeah, I've had a lot of people in especially California say, you know, we previously thought we wanted to live in California forever because the scenery is just beautiful that nature is amazing but in a pandemic with lockdown combined with you know, smoke pollution, drought, it makes it harder and harder to enjoy the things that are free in your vicinity and it makes you realize your home space is so crucial to your mental health and your happiness and wellbeing and I love hearing about families that move from you know, a two bedroom apartment to a five bedroom home with their three kids with a walk-out basement and a yard and their dog has a place to play and you know, the things that make such a big difference but it seems so small.

- Right, so they keep in touch with you then?

I know that you have some, don't you have some kind of social, safe social gatherings with a lot of your transplants?

- We did do one transplant party in June.

We had about 50 people come and it was really fun seeing people realizing that they're neighbors and then they make connections and make friends and then because it's so many people at this point you know, I don't want people to feel like they're only connected to me.

I created a group on Facebook called, "Peoria Transplants" so everyone who's moved here can join that and you know, every week we'll do threads of here's a thread if you're interested in hiking to meet people or interested in playing games or Frisbee golf so that they can get connected to other like-minded people.

It's hard to make friends when you move.

- It is, it takes at least six months to try to fit in somehow.

When do you have time to work?

If you're doing all these other things.

(laughing) - I don't know, I do have a very busy day job that I love and then I on a whim started making these videos and when it picked up people always tell me, I can't believe you're not getting commissions, I can't believe you're not getting paid but it just feels like it's like I don't know, a very unique way to help other people find an intentional life to be happier or just to consider an option they didn't know they had and I don't know, that's very motivating.

I mean, I could probably carve out more free time for myself.

- So how about the people who have relocated from warmer climates?

Are they in touch with you in the winter time or?

- Will see, this is going to be the first winter when so many people have moved but it's funny you ask that.

Probably my most requested video is what's the weather like?

So I've actually made multiple videos describing the weather, the humidity levels.

Things that I honestly was not acquainted with but I'm like here, I will just display the facts for you in a convenient, short way.

I'll like show my dog throughout the seasons and how the scenery looks and a lot of people want to know that though.

They're like, I'm sold but I hate winter.

And I'm like, can't change that for you.

(laughing) - That's right, I'd try but I don't know how you send a "TikTok" up to old man winter or whatever to make sure that we get a mild winter.

- If my mom can make it from the Philippines and live in the Midwest where she was used to you know, 95 degrees everyday I'm like, anyone can do it.

- That's right.

- I mean, you don't have to but if you want to you can do it.

- Like your mom, yeah, with a name like Ostaszewski I would guess that you're Filipino.

- Yeah, my mom's from the Philippines and my dad's from Poland I know people are like Polish name, huh?

- A very nice combination, a very nice combination.

Have there been many surprises for you in finding some of these places or having the realtors contact you and just say, hey, you know, what can you help me with here?

- Hmm, I think it's that it's an emotional decision.

I talk to a lot of people helping them plan their weekend trips.

So let's craft an itinerary for the weekend around things you like to do.

What kind of food do you like?

Do you like coffee shops?

Do you like breweries?

And a lot of people after that weekend trip the decision is made you know.

A lot of other factors you have to consider and think about for yourself school districts, et cetera, et cetera but I hear from so many people it's like, they come and they get this feeling and that's what seals the deal.

It's really nice to see them come and visit and just fall in love with all the places I love.

- Right.

- Well, and they don't, many of them probably haven't even ever heard of Peoria except maybe, "Does it Play in Peoria?"

And that might be it for a certain age group, right?

- Oh yeah, oh, so many people haven't heard of it and a lot of people are like Perori you know, they're like I don't know how to say it.

But I think that what's interesting is that a lot of people associate the Midwest with a certain kind of person and usually not a person who looks like me, definitely not someone who's the child of immigrants.

Who's a woman of color and so I think that's also part of the sort of disruptive nature of it which I didn't even think about.

Cause I'm like, I'm me, I'm not comparing it to anything.

But that's what I've heard from so many people is I wouldn't have looked twice but I saw a little bit of myself in you and what you care about, which really touches me.

- I guess, it would.

Well, so what neighborhoods do you concentrate on any specific neighborhoods or once they watch your, "TikTok" video then when they contact you do they say, well, really what I'm kind of looking for and then do you go in search of that or?

- Yeah, that's an interesting question cause based on who you talk to, you will get a strong recommendation about where to live in Peoria, right?

And I am very forthright this is my perspective, it's not objective and I live in central Peoria, I live in the West bluff.

I feel very strongly about that community.

I think it's really important that we're investing in our urban core and bringing population back to the center of our city.

And so that is a lot of what's prominently featured.

I also think it works out great that there's a lot of historic homes in central Peoria and that's what I love.

I don't feature a lot of new construction, I love original character, I love Tudors and mid-century modern and Victorians and those are the things also that really excite people online.

I have a lot of people who are saying, let me know when you have a Victorian that's what I'm looking for.

Let me know when you have a mid century modern home I'll move for that 'cause people get very passionate about restoring and maintaining these historic homes and we have a lot of them in Peoria.

- And they don't mind taking on the risk?

I live in a Victorian.

They don't mind taking on the responsibility and the effort to put into restoring any of these different genre homes?

- Yeah, especially those who are interested in historical homes, I have a lot of folks who are like, I'm willing to put in the work.

A lot of people who are DIY and they see the price tag and they're like, oh, that combined with the fact that I have these skills I mean, the money I'll save.

- Exactly.

- And some people who sell their homes in their current location and can purchase outright here is amazing, they don't have a mortgage anymore.

- That's a big plus.

- Yes.

- That's a big plus well, and then it's easier for them to also find employment here too especially because of the working from home kind of thing.

Or have they just gone out flat out, like you went and found a job outside of the home you don't have to stay home.

So do they, they can go and apply for jobs.

- Yeah.

- That we have here.

- It's interesting, I assumed at first, oh, everyone who's moving here works remote.

But so many people were finding jobs and relocating and I actually just featured there's the city-wide hiring extravaganza happening on September 1st with the, "Greater Peoria Economic Development Council".

And it's amazing to be able to say, we have one central hiring event for hundreds and hundreds of jobs because that's a question people get.

What's the catch, okay, it's affordable.

Oh, you have tons of restaurants, a huge park district, a lot of diversity actually.

They're like, but there can't be any jobs that's gotta be the catch.

And so the fact that I get to answer and say, you know, the organizations locally here, they brought it all together sorry, we also have hundreds of job openings.

- And did you ever imagine that you would be working like that to make those connections?

- No, and I mean, also recently earlier this summer I was invited to join, "The Board for the Peoria Chamber of Commerce", which was huge for me I was so honored.

And the fact that it came from "TikTok" I think when I do a lot of economic development work in my full-time job is just, it's just funny how the universe works but it's an amazing place to end up.

- [Christine] It is out there, it is out there.

Well, then you just received a big award from the, the best of the best around Peoria, is that correct?

- Yes, "Individual Community Supporter", which was amazing, yes.

- Were you a cheerleader at Normal U High?

- No, I wasn't I'm a music nerd.

- Okay, I know, nothing wrong with being in music because it applies to everything in life.

Well, what else do you want to do with this?

How are you gonna, can you grow it?

You're only one person.

- You know, it's one of those things that I'm trying to enjoy as much as I can.

So I'm trying not to have a predetermined outcome but at the same time you know, I'm thinking about, should I become a realtor because so many people every day I get inundated, why aren't you a realtor?

You should just be a realtor.

- And have you considered that?

I mean, really legitimately.

- I am considering it, we're also remodeling our home of course, we're remodeling a historic home to move into and so I have to slow down a little bit you know, and enjoy it one step at a time.

But for now the fact that it's reaching people and people like me who you know, when I was 25 I didn't think I would ever be able to buy a home and now I was able to move here, I'm a homeowner before 30.

If I can share that with someone else and you know, give them tips on home buying there so many ways it can go, it can be educational, it can be planning resources, helping them buy houses, a realtor but I mean, I don't know.

- Have you always been this amazing at the things that you've attempted to do?

- I've always been this type A.

(laughing) - I can tell that you're type A, might be A plus not exactly sure but.

- That's so sweet.

- And what do your parents think of this?

I mean, they see, you only moved 40, 45 miles away.

They think that this is a good undertaking for you?

Are they thrilled with what you're doing?

Are they thrilled that they, that you brought your siblings back locally?

- They're not so thrilled that they've moved here they're in Bloomington still so I've got to get them.

(laughing) But they are very happy my siblings are here and they're also part of the chorus of people saying, get your realtors license.

- Interesting, very interesting.

Well, again, what do you want to go?

Well, let me ask you this.

What's the most interesting story of any of these transplants though, these re-locations?

What do you think has been the most interesting, surprising for you?

- Hmm, there's so many different people.

I think I've seen a lot of people.

I'll give you a few examples cause I'm bad at picking.

- Okay.

- So I've had a few people who say they moved here so they could save up for awhile and then travel other places cause it's so affordable.

But then when they get a few months in, they say, I love it here they go from renting to buying and I think that's incredible and that's not because of me it's because they're really you know, our arts community, the volunteerism that you can do here, the local businesses, there's so much to do.

I love seeing people go from, I got a toe dipped until I'm all in baby let's go, I'm a Peorian now.

But also seeing people who I think one thing I didn't anticipate is that people would be able to network with each other and the basis of all moving here from my videos gives them a foundation to like speed up making friendships and finding community.

And I think more than 90% of the people that have moved here are LGBTQ Plus and seeing them say, I feel welcomed here, I feel safe here and maybe that's not something they felt where they lived before, that really I mean, I don't even know how to quantify that kind of impact where someone has a partner, a safe home and they can plug into folks locally that they feel supported by.

We've had Drag Queens move here which is cool.

(laughing) - Well, as long as they feel comfortable that's good and they find employment.

However, whatever they're doing but it's Midwestern values too, don't you think?

- Yeah, we're nice, Mid westerners are just nice, we're welcoming I mean, I've had people go to local businesses, go to a 30/30 or Zion and be like, I felt like they were welcoming me as their friend but they didn't know me and that's the magic of how we have live the culture here.

- It truly is and that's a big blessing and you're sharing that with so many people, you really are.

Well, so back to another question that I had asked, are you going to be able to grow this?

Do you want to grow this?

Do you want to, if you become a realtor then you got it you got a whole team helping you out.

But for right now, you're just one little old girl driven by just having pride in Peoria.

- I think so and fortunately my life story I think it gives me almost credibility that I didn't think I would have.

I didn't think when I bought a $33,000 home that I would be telling other people how much I paid for my home but it just shows what a value you can get.

I mean, and it's walking distance to, "First Fridays", "Studios on Sheridan" and with a ten-year mortgage which I've had people tell me, ten year mortgages don't exist.

- They really don't, haven't.

- It's a pretty powerful response to say, well, I have one.

- Exactly.

- It's pretty hard to argue with that.

- Let me just show you, yeah.

- Not a lot of places that that would be possible.

But also things like people come to me with questions that I wouldn't think about.

Like someone asked me, can I take out a loan for a down payment?

And you know what, if you've never bought a house before I understand why you're asking that question but it almost like trying to respond to what people are asking, whether it's the weather or how does mortgage work?

- And how do you check those things out?

You have some contacts obviously, that you've made over the years.

- Yeah, yeah, pulling on other people I know that are experts but also realizing that it's a safe environment to answer those questions cause there are definitely places you would go and someone would.

- They thumb their nose at you, right.

- Yeah, they think oh, that's really basic but we have to start somewhere, right?

And this is a great place to start out.

- Isn't she just the cutest I mean, gosh, you could give me a P-E-O-R-I-A that's for sure.

- I'm gonna have to come up with a cheer.

- Okay, well, we'll work on that, yeah.

So you started the, "TikTok" thing when?

Just two years ago?

- It was on the last day of my honeymoon in September last year.

I'd had too much free time so I needed to come up with something to do (laughing) on the seven hour car ride back from, we went to Arkansas, little cabin, little COVID safe honeymoon and on the drive I was like, "hey babe, what would you think if I took my face and I made it really small and I green screened it over pictures of houses and I moved it around like I was walking inside?"

and he was like, "okay, well why?"

- Well, I think we're going to have a clip of that so that would be very good.

Meanwhile, it's all working out and you're so happy and you wouldn't do it any other way.

- Yeah, I'm just enjoying it which is great.

- That's awesome.

Well, I'd like to thank you for being here and rah, rah, you know, let's bring people here.

It is a great community.

I'm a transplant, I've lived here for over 40 years and it really truly is very welcoming and I'm so glad that you joined us thank you, you're delightful.

- Thank you for having me.

- And let us know any other things that we need to know about you we'll keep, we're going to keep an eye on you.

- Let's keep in touch, yes.

- Okay, that sounds good thanks so much, Angie.

I hope you enjoyed it and I hope you stay safe and healthy.

(uplifting music)