Ever hear of Peoria, IL? When I was there a few weeks back for work, I met a local photographer who described Peoria, IL to me this way… he said I’d like to think Peoria is in the middle of the state, in the middle of the country and in the middle of the world.

That is when I had my “Ah ha” moment. It was such a comforting thing to say yet to most, it may sound boring. The middle? The middle of what? Is this the American dream from yesteryear? No, that’s dying a slow death. Maybe the middle is the NEW American dream? Ah ha! Yes, redefining the NEW American Dream. That is it. In Peoria? Hell yes.

Let me show you why I think Peoria IL should intrigue the cash strapped yet entrepreneural minded 20 something … and may have a chance to redefine the American Dream.

Peoria should be branded as a city for millennials. Period. With housing costs around $20K — $50K for a beautiful home, any average kid walking out of college with the average student loan debt can buy a home in Peoria, IL for less than what they paid for college. Millennials are looking for affordable places to live, work and play and Peoria could be that place. And it isn’t like Peoria is lame… which brings me to # 2.

2. Coffee! Peoria has some pretty solid coffee spots which is a great indicator of hipsterdom and opportunity. If the coffee nerd can open up a coffee joint in downtown Peoria and make it? It proves the old saying that it WILL play in Peoria.

3. Beer Oriented Development is alive and well in Peoria, IL. Obed & Issacs Microbrewery is inside a beautiful church and serves up some good beer. It wasn’t the most pleasant walk to get there… just a short walk across a highway overpass… but hey, every city was hit by the urban renewal monster.