If you're on TikTok, you've probably heard the voice of Angie Ostaszewski.
Her catchphrase goes like this:
“Hi my name is Angie and I’m not a realtor, but I live in super affordable Peoria, Illinois, and I think you should live here too!”
…And people have done just that. With nearly 30,000 followers on her TikTok account “Angie’s Listings,” Ostaszewski has convinced more than 65 people to relocate to Peoria in the last year.
While her niche involves sharing Zillow listings of cheap houses for sale in Peoria, Ostaszewski also posts videos of her perusing locally-owned stores, attending progressive events, dining at family-owned restaurants and more.
WCBU’s Hannah Alani interviewed Ostaszewski about her Peoria story, and what drives her to be such a vocal cheerleader for the River City.
The following is a transcript of an interview that aired during All Things Peoria on Thursday, Dec. 9. It has been edited for length and clarity.
Angie Ostaszewski: In some ways people say I'm doing something super unique. But at the same time, I feel like the, the bigger part of it is like, my life experience isn't that different from anyone else's. Going from, you know, a minimum wage job to owning a home.
Hannah Alani: What has it been like having such a large and impactful platform from which to speak about Peoria, and just the celebrity status that you kind of have here in Peoria?
Angie Ostaszewski: It's weird! More than anything, it's just, I always say, it's constantly unexpected. It feels cool to celebrate what a lot of people think of as normal milestones. But reminding people that not everyone gets that opportunity. Not everyone gets to live somewhere, you know, where they can manage their expenses, and have an affordable life. My favorite part is, I feel like it's just another way to practice gratitude for what we have here. And I love that. There's a sense of positivity about it. And I love that I can help bring that.
Hannah Alani: If you can ballpark, do you know how many people are thinking about moving, or are considering this move?
Angie Ostaszewski: We have passed the 150 member mark in my Facebook group, “Peoria Transplants.” I created a Facebook group for people that have moved here to network and make friends. And so that group is a mix of folks who have been here for a while, folks who've just moved here. And a lot of people who are interested. … I've had a lot of people apply to the group who say, “I don't live there yet, but it's in my you know, 2-year plan.” The fact that our community and that group can be part of their planning process is super cool.
Hannah Alani: Are you hearing from the people who have lived here for a while that this group and these efforts of yours are bringing something of value to their lives, too?
Angie Ostaszewski: Totally. And I feel like the way I would describe it is, almost relief. I've known so many people who have lived here their whole life, or for decades, and they almost feel beat down. A negative opinion is an easy popular opinion. And when you grow up somewhere surrounded by people saying, “Everyone's leaving. This place is terrible. It's never going anywhere. We'll never get back to our glory days.” I think having a dedicated space where they have that assurance that everyone else participating in the conversation is hopeful … I've seen that that has really unlocked a lot of happiness and energy for them. Because they finally have somewhere where they have like-minded people who aren't giving up on their home. And it's really neat to see they’re reinvigorated through meeting all the people who have moved here.
Hannah Alani: Among the strangers you've met on the Internet you've convinced to move here, you also convinced your two siblings, who moved from much warmer climates, right?
Angie Ostaszewski: Yes, I convinced my sister and her family to move here from Louisville, Kentucky, and my brother to move here from Atlanta, Georgia.
Hannah Alani: And how did you do that?
Angie Ostaszewski: Through patience? No, actually, to be honest, I have not always been as close with my siblings as I am now. Now we are the best of friends. We talk every day, like multiple times a day. And again, I think just being here and getting the support. … I just decided I want to be closer with them. It started with daily phone calls. We were not people who used to talk on the phone every day before that. And then some gentle real estate listings I would send them. And job postings. And then visits with guided itineraries. It was a multiple-year process, probably two years, but now they live here and we're lifelong friends.
Hannah Alani: You often share videos on TikTok of local places to eat, drink, shop. I know you just did this big small business series. What are some of your favorite local haunts?
Angie Ostaszewski: Oh my gosh, that's such a hard question. We have so many options and I feel like depending on you know, my mood, your mood, whatever you're thinking of, there's a great spot for each. But I have to say, right now. I have been on a pho kick. All I want now that it's cold is pho. So Thanh Linh and Pho on Main II. They're literally across the street from each other. And they both have tons of options. And Thanh Linh makes that Saturday noodle soup every Saturday, where they make the noodles fresh. That is one of my favorite dishes in Peoria.
I've also recently been trying to do all of my holiday shopping secondhand, as much as possible. So going to places like Ribbon Records. Hope Chest in Pekin is saving my life right now with buying furniture. You can buy as much furniture as you want there and they'll deliver it for $35. No matter how much you get. So if you're recently moving here, if you live here and you're furnishing a house. I mean, they have a huge selection, and they're amazing. … All the money that you pay goes to their food pantry. I mean, it's just, it's just really cool that I feel like I'm benefiting, because I'm getting a steal. I feel like the Midwest is like, our culture is we love to get a deal. But it also is helping people. So it's really cool that you can have very ethical shopping experiences here that can align with your values.
Hannah Alani: That's awesome. So I do notice on TikTok, that sometimes you get a little bit of flak from outsiders who say that, in your effort to show the great things about Peoria, you're not painting the whole picture. I saw someone say, “Oh, I saw Peoria’s murder rate. Is it really that great of a place?” And I remember you had this video response to that, that I thought was really, really, really great, and poignant, where you talked about how safety is subjective. For our listeners who haven't seen that video, can you kind of explain what you meant?
Angie Ostaszewski: People ask me about crime rate all the time. And we know, there's higher statistics in Peoria than a lot of other places for crime. But there's a couple of reasons that I feel like a 59-second video isn't the appropriate forum to explain that. The first is safety is a subjective term. So if you're only looking at crime rates, okay, it depends on, “What kind of crime is it? Where is it geographically spread throughout your city?” And then also, you know, “What does safety mean?” So there are individuals … crime rate is really important to them. But there's also individuals I've seen who have moved here who are transgender, or they're gay, and for them, it's about a neighborhood where they can be visible with their partner and feel safe. Or there are individuals who are really concerned with, “What is policing like here? Are we using community policing? What is police brutality like?” and crime rate doesn't encompass safety for them.
But even beyond that, every single person watching the video … they live somewhere. So if you don't live in Peoria, I don't know what the crime rate is where you live, as a viewer. And so, you know, crime rate in and of itself, I don't think that that is a helpful metric. You have to compare it to where you're coming from, right? It's either higher or lower. And I don't know where you are, your city or zip code, your neighborhood. Each individual person has to know for themselves and look into that and make the right decision. I think it would be irresponsible of me to make blanket statements about what crime means here because that is really everyone's individual responsibility to decide what's best and mostly for them.
Hannah Alani: A lot of your TikToks focus on affordable housing. Your name on TikTok is “Angie's listings,” of course! And that's kind of how this all got started … and that's drawn a lot of users to your videos, to your channel. What have you learned about real estate and the local housing market since you started Angie's Listings? Are there any key takeaways that you would, as a recent homebuyer yourself, like to impart upon our listeners?
Angie Ostaszewski: Well, I always knew our homes were affordable because I have Filipino family in California. I didn't realize how affordable until I started to look into it more and make TikToks. Of course, we're more affordable than San Francisco. That's kind of a given almost anywhere. But we are the number 1 midsize city for affordability in the country. So we're number one at something in the entire country out of every single city. … We're not looking at like, rural towns. We're not looking at Chicagos. We're looking at places where you know there's at least 100,000 people. So that means there's going to be multiple school districts, business infrastructure. That's pretty incredible to still have somewhere with a skyline, where you can buy, you know, a condo that's move-in ready and renovated, for $40,000. That's a video I just did, probably two weeks ago.
Your down payment doesn't have to be 20%. You can work with a lender and get multiple lending options and you can put down 3%. You can put down 0%. And so when you're looking at lending options, where you're putting that little down, it really is comparable to the cost of renting. But at the end of it, you're getting equity and homeownership, and something that gives you financial stability.
And when you're thinking about wealth, generational wealth, accumulating property, that is a huge part of what you're able to pass down to your children and set them up financially. So I feel better, no matter what other financial decisions I'm making, I have paid off my house that I bought in Peoria. I bought a home on a 10-year mortgage. And that's another thing people don't know – you can get a 10-year mortgage! Usually they're 30 years. But when the loan amount is that small, you can be debt free in a decade, and own your lot outright. So there's so many options out there. A lot of people are buying homes right now. But you have the ability to research. I have links in my profile to other home buying resources, too. And you can always ask me on my page.
Hannah Alani: What is the first step that you would advise someone to do before moving to Peoria?
Angie Ostaszewski: For anyone who's thinking about moving to Peoria, or thinking about how to enjoy Peoria more, I would say schedule a weekend here like it's a vacation, and come here like you're a tourist. Find somewhere to stay for a night or two. I have a guide of activities on my TikTok. I also have a network of folks I can tap into for you who can be a tour guide for you. And reach out. Don't do it alone. Get outside of your comfort zone. Reach out to me. Reach out to agencies like Discover Peoria, or the Economic Development Council, and tell them you're interested. And just wait for the response. Because the enthusiasm is just as motivating as the beautiful place that we live in.
Hannah Alani: Tell me more about your central Illinois story. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you've spent your whole life in central Illinois?
Angie Ostaszewski: Almost. My parents immigrated here. My dad came here from Poland and my mom from the Philippines. They met in California. I was born in Louisville, Kentucky. And then I've been in the central Illinois area for about 20 years. First in Bloomington, and now in Peoria.
Hannah Alani: How did your parents get to Kentucky? And then how did they get to Bloomington after that?
Angie Ostaszewski: My dad is a university professor. He teaches actuarial sciences. So he's a math guy. He went from UC Davis to University of Louisville. And now he's at Illinois State University.
Hannah Alani: Alright, Go Redbirds. Awesome. How does being a first-generation American influence the way you view community development, your role in helping make Peoria a better place? Do you think about that?
Angie Ostaszewski: Yeah, I mean, right off the bat, being a child of immigrants, if you are one, you know, you are always trying to make that journey worth it. It is not easy to come to the United States. You know, my dad was raised in communist Poland. The only way he came here was he won several math competitions. My grandmother found a book about how to go to school in the U.S. You know, Google hasn't been around forever. And so that was a really difficult transition for him, getting out of that environment. I think growing up, I knew I had to have a very hard work ethic. But I actually think I had to unlearn some things, from what it means to be a child of immigrants as well. I used to really prioritize self-sufficiency over everything. And there was definitely a time in my early 20s, where I was exhausted. Because I didn't ask for help. I did everything myself.
Taking sociology classes, and learning about support networks, and based on your socio economic status, the likelihood that you'll actually tap into those networks … And I was not tapping into them. I was acting as the sociology textbook said I would. And I was like, “I need to break the cycle. I need to almost behave as if I have those support networks, and ask for help.” So I think that's why I’ve become such a connector. Because I had so many people offer me help. And once I started accepting, I realized they genuinely wanted to help me, which, again, I was like, “What? They weren't just being nice?”
But that's the best thing about Peoria, is all the people who want to help each other. That's why we have so many nonprofits. That's why we have mutual aid networks. I just have so many people that I know I can call on, you know, even sharing TikToks. Every little gesture is an opportunity to connect more with people. And I think that's why I feel the most full I ever have in my life. And that's why I like helping people relocate here and helping them make friends. Because if you’ve ever felt alone … The feeling of being connected to other people, and feeling genuinely cared about, it frees you.
Hannah Alani: Can you tell us a bit more about the groups that you're involved with? The boards, the nonprofits?
Angie Ostaszewski: It’s funny, before I worked for Ameren Illinois, I worked for a nonprofit. So the only board meetings I'd ever been to like that, where as a staff member, but once I’d been at Ameren Illinois for a few years, it really gave me a lot more opportunities to be on the other side of that. So now I get to serve on the board of the Center for Prevention of Abuse, the Illinois Central College Foundation, and the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, which is amazing. And I'm also on the board for Renaissance Park Community Association with my husband, Per.
The first board I was able to join was the Center for Prevention of Abuse. That mission is super close to my heart. I've been through some abusive situations myself. I used to do volunteer work when I lived in Bloomington to be first responder. So when a victim would go to the hospital, you would meet them there, and be their advocate. And it was a really, it was a difficult volunteer position, being on call in the middle of the night. You don't know what the victim’s circumstances are. All you know is that you're there to advocate for their rights. And so I've seen that from several angles, how much domestic and sexual violence can make someone's life just totally spin out of control. And so being able to go to that board meeting … I showed up, and of course, I'm the youngest, and I reek of imposter syndrome. But … after a few meetings, you're like, “Yeah, I'm here. I can do this.”
Hannah Alani: That's awesome. Tell us more about the neighborhood association.
Angie Ostaszewski: Yes, the Renaissance Park Community Association, I have to say is mostly my husband. He has been running that for years and years. It was started by other folks in the West Bluff. Kind of the heart of that was the community garden. We would do garden giveaways. Anyone could come get produce right there on Main Street, we would do First Friday concerts. Unfortunately, during the pandemic, that was razed. That's a controversial story for another day.
Hannah Alani: The community garden was razed?
Angie Ostaszewski: Yeah, without our knowledge or awareness. And that was unfortunate. But it's one of those things where you're like, “Okay, we have to reinvent ourselves.” It was really difficult. We were relatively inactive during the pandemic, because it's a 100% volunteer-run organization. But I will continue to put the call out ... We are still looking for new locations for that garden. We're committed to trying to remove the food deserts in our city, and if anyone wants to volunteer for the RPCA, we welcome you.
Hannah Alani: What kind of agency do you feel it gives you to be part of a neighborhood association? There are probably a lot of listeners who have neighborhood associations that they don't even know about that they could join today. Or if they don't have one, they could start one.
Angie Ostaszewski: Okay, if you're like me, and you don't know how to introduce yourself to people … Every time I move somewhere with my husband – I think we've moved four times in Peoria, to different apartments, and then our house – he is the one who goes door to door and gives his cell number to everyone. I'm terrified. I'm like, “I don't know them. They don't want to talk to me.” … Neighborhood associations are the solution for that. It is a way to plug into other people who care about your neighborhood. If nothing else, make friends. But on top of that, have volunteer opportunities. I'm preparing to move to The Uplands. So, we have a message group of all the women who live in The Uplands, and we share tips, we share supplies when people need them. We share Halloween costumes, everything in between. And again, it's just lessening that individual burden that you place on yourself. Because every day you're reminded, “Look at all these people who want to help each other.” If there's a lost dog, you have 50 people right there who are all looking for that dog.
Hannah Alani: I'm glad you mentioned making friends. And I don't know how many of our listeners will resonate with this. But I have found it really difficult to make friends as an adult … But these neighborhood associations are just getting involved at the community level. That is, it is such an organic way to make friends, and meaningful connections, like you said.
Angie Ostaszewski: Totally agree. This is an annoying quality I have, but it is who I am. I love to celebrate the little things. I love to help people be emotionally vulnerable and open. And that's what I love, that we have, you know, this community now, where people can just say, “I'm socially awkward, and I want to make a friend.” And I see people posting in Peoria Transplants. One person started a book club. Someone else loves horror, and has been posting a lot of the like, haunted adventure type things in Peoria, which like, I would never be the one to share that. That's not even in my area of like, things I know about. But now I'm learning about it. And I'm seeing other people who are like, “I would love to go to a haunted house,” or people who love rock climbing … You just find that one area of interest. And then you see if you click.
But I think the Peoria Transplants group in particular, you have that additional level of assurance that you'll probably get along, because it's all people who chose to move to Peoria, who are progressive, who are pro-Black Lives Matter, pro-LGBTQ plus individuals, pro equality and equity across all counts. And when someone shares your values, it's usually going to be easier to get along.
Hannah Alani: In your TikToks, in your social media, in your speech at the Chamber, you talk a lot about diversity and equity, and what these values mean to you. I'm kind of curious about your story and why, and how, Peoria is a safe place for you, personally?
Angie Ostaszewski: I moved here for love, obviously. I think the relationship I have with my husband Per is sort of the foundation for everything I have. He's just, he's always supportive, always kind. I remember we were maybe dating for a month. And basically, I gave him a reading list on intersectionality and feminism. And he was like, “I am going to learn this, so that we can be together,” because he knew that my values are who I am. He was already as someone who really cares so much about the community. He's escorted at Planned Parenthood. He is fluent in Spanish and has done translation services. … He brought me to so many other people in Peoria who have that same kind of mindset. So for me to have a diverse friend group, I have friends who are ranging from 20 years old to 50 years old. I have friends who are all different sexual orientations, all different races, and you know, we just can get along, and be together, and I can be myself. I don't feel like I have to code switch or kind of tamp down who I am. And even in my corporate job at Ameren, I feel like I get so much positive reinforcement for coming to work with authenticity. And now I get to manage diversity, equity and inclusion programming, which has honestly made me feel like, “Oh my God, who I am is an asset, not something I have to succeed, despite being this weirdo,” which is how I felt for a lot of my years growing up and in college. … I feel like I didn't like become who I am. I just accepted who I am at some point. And just the environment here helped me do that. And I know I'm not naïve enough to think that that's the experience everyone has. But I hope it's helpful to know that it's possible.
Hannah Alani: You mentioned you've moved a few times in Peoria. What are all the neighborhoods you've lived in?
Angie Ostaszewski: West Bluff baby, all the way. West Bluff, best bluff. I've just made my way around the West Bluff and lived in like the same 12-block area for eight years.
Hannah Alani: And, any local events you're really looking forward to in the month of December?
Angie Ostaszewski: The one thing I always have to plug locally in December is the Festival of Lights. It's a tradition now for my family that we go. It's affordable. They have been huge supporters of the Center for Prevention of Abuse. And it's just pretty. So go!
