ChambanaMoms.com

Urbana's Market At The Square is one of the best things about living in Chambana. Credit: Lisa Bralts

By Amy L. Hatch

Relocating to a new community can be overwhelming, especially if you’re moving to a brand-new city with your kids in tow.

I know this first-hand, because my husband dragged me here, kicking and screaming, from Western New York in August 2006.

That first crazy year was full of ups and downs—having just three days to find a house, moving all our worldly goods 700 miles west of our home, and then navigating a brand-new environment with just an 18-month-old for company during long days alone in the house.

The third week here, our daughter developed an ear infection. I had no friends to ask for advice, and so turned to the Internet to find a doctor, any doctor, who would see us. By the time we made it to Carle Clinic and back again, she and I were both a weepy mess.

I don’t want anyone to feel that way, because let me tell you, it was absolutely miserable. I didn’t know anything: Where do I grocery shop? Where is the library? Where is the dry cleaner?

We put this guide together for you, my fellow newbie. It will continue to grow and evolve, and as will your relationship with your new home.

Where to Shop

There are several grocery-store chains in town. The two big-box retailers are Wal-Mart and Meijer, both of which have locations in Urbana and Champaign. The other grocery chains in town are Schnucks, a family-owned business based in St. Louis; County Market (also in Danville and Gibson City); and IGA (many Central Illinois locations).

If you are looking for vegan and organic choices, try Strawberry Fields and Common Ground Food Coop, both located in Urbana. World Harvest in Champaign offers a great selection of international foods, and has a fabulous cheese case for those of you who can’t live without your fancy, stinky cheese.

For an upscale deli, check out Art Mart in Urbana or Sun Singer Wines in Champaign. Both are good choices for a splurge. If you’re looking for an old-fashioned butcher (think Sam from the Brady Bunch), head to Old Time Meat and Deli in Champaign.

Target has a limited food market here, but who doesn’t love Target? You’ll find the Champaign Target on North Prospect Avenue in Champaign, along with just about every restaurant chain and big-box retailer you could need, including Sam’s Club and Best Buy, among others.

Hospitals and Clinics

There are two main medical providers in Chambana: Carle Foundation Hospital and Provena Covenant Hospital, both in Urbana. While we hope you never need it, it’s good to know that both centers have emergency departments.

Carle Clinic and Christie Clinic are where you will find family practitioners, pediatricians, OB/GYN services and area specialists. Both centers have locations all over town, depending on who you choose as your doctor.

Meet-up Groups

Being new in town can be lonely, for you and your kids, especially if you have younger children who aren’t yet enrolled in school. Luckily, Chambana is a pretty social place—if you know where to look. We’re taking the guesswork out of it, and offering our list of groups for moms:

Mothers and More:  This is an active group that is a mix of working and stay at home moms. I want to get more involved with this group but haven’t had the time. They have playgroups and also sponsor social events.

The Champaign Moms meet-up group: They do tons of activities; many of the women are in the same position you are — they don’t know a lot of other moms.

UI Moms Club: Great opportunity for moms who work at the University of Illinois. Monthly lunches.

The Good Beginnings Playgroup in Urbana: You may have heard of this one. They meet in a church but it is not affiliated with the church at all. I brought my daughter here when we first moved to C-U and it was a life-saver.

Mothers of Preschoolers: There are five area MOPS groups (Champaign, Mahomet, Tuscola, St. Joseph and Rantoul. Check the MOPS web site for details.

Child Care in a Pinch

When we first arrived in Chambana, finding child care was nearly impossible. I didn’t know where to look and I didn’t know anyone to get a referral. But there is a great service here in town, Mother’s Morning Out. Operated by the First Presbyterian Church of Champaign, MMO offers drop-in child care and preschool classes.

If you’re in the market for a babysitter, be sure to benefit from my pain and visit our guide to nabbing The One.

When you need full-time daycare, a good resource is the University of Illinois Child Care Resource Service. They will give you lists of local centers and in-home daycares, but you have to do the leg work of checking references and making visits.

Last But Not Least — Be Open

Leaving the familiar behind is hard, no doubt about it. I still sometime struggle with living 700 miles away from our extended family and friends—don’t even ask me about the holidays, or I might clock you.

That said, the key to making a life here on the prairie for me and my family was being as open as possible. There are so many people here who hail from somewhere else. You’ll find a shoulder or two to lean on, I promise.

Ed. Note: The Definitive Newbie’s Guide to C-U will continue to expand. Got an idea or suggestion? Email us at editor@chambanamoms.com.

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