People may love to visit Illinois in the summer and fall, but for people who live in the Prairie State, the state’s history, buildings, and nature are always available to them. Chicago is the third-biggest city in the US, and the ghost of Abraham Lincoln lives here forever. There are many reasons to visit or live here.
You’re sure to find something that fits your schedule among the big cities, sprawling areas, historic towns, and small towns. Families can choose from a wide range of school districts in Illinois’s best places, and recent college graduates can choose between economies that are stable or growing. When you visit the ancient capital city of Springfield or walk down Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, you’ll have no trouble making memories.
1. Naperville
Naperville is one of the largest towns in Illinois and part of the greater Chicago area. It is a great place to live if you want to be close to the Windy City. Naperville came from very little. It was once a simple mill town on the DuPage River. But now 30 Fortune 500 companies live there, and it’s a great place to work and live at the same time.
People who live in the city love that it has a strong local economy and a staff that can keep it growing while still being family-friendly. There are parks, museums for kids, and neighbourhood events that make the town feel better. You’re just over 30 miles west of downtown Chicago, so you can easily enjoy all that the big city has to offer.
2. Rockford
Rockford, which is on a branch of the big Mississippi River, has become the most populous city outside of the Chicago area. It was easy for big companies to move to Rockford in the 1800s and early 1900s because it was on the Rock River. It became a centre for industry and machinery. It is now a busy, modern city.
Rockford is home to a number of big industries, which means it’s a great place to find a job, whether you’re already established or looking to take the next step in your career.
Rockford has a lot of history and architectural gems, like the Lake-Peterson House, thanks to its long and interesting 19th century past. It also has a great natural history museum.
3. Galena
In the northwest part of Illinois, in Galena, you can find some beautiful 19th-century buildings. Galaena is a cute little town with only a few thousand people. It is on the Galena River, which flows into the nearby Mississippi.
Main streets lined with beautiful, unaltered houses give visitors a look into life in Galena in the 1800s, when Ulysses S. Grant and eight other Civil War generals lived there.
One popular place to retire in Illinois is Galena. In addition to a strong tourism business, the town is quiet all year and has lots of things to do, like visiting the Ulysses S. Grant Home, and the cost of living is low.
Great shops, restaurants, and lively bars are all in Galena, and the school district is highly rated for families.
4. Clarendon Hills
Clarendon Hills is a popular choice for people who are moving because it has everything a family could want. Clarendon Hills is only 20 miles east of the waterfront in downtown Chicago. It has its own benefits, but it also has the nightlife of the big city, live sports, and the lake.
The schools in Clarendon Hills are some of the best in the area, which is good news for families. Also, crime in the suburbs is much lower than the state average. The middle-class neighbourhood has a high family income, and the small number of people living there makes it easy to fit in quickly.
Clarendon Hills has a lot of parks, a golf club, and fun things for the whole family to do.
5. Springfield
Springfield is often on the minds of people who are moving because it is the state capital of Illinois. With about 115,000 people, Springfield is the second largest city outside of the Chicago metro area after Rockford.
Lincoln lived in Springfield, which is in the middle of the state, for more than twenty years before he moved to the White House. Springfield has many great museums, such as the Presidential Library and the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, that are all related to this piece of history.
But the city’s past goes far beyond Lincoln, and there are lots of things to do with its botanical garden and public parks. With three colleges and a strong economy, the area has a lot to offer in terms of culture and entertainment.
6. Champaign-Urbana
Champaign-Urbana is two hours south of Chicago. It is made up of two separate towns that blend together to give both locals and visitors a wide range of experiences. The University of Illinois is based in Champaign-Urbana, and farming is a big part of life here. You’ll be able to enjoy a strong economy along with all the arts, theatre, and culture that come with living in a “odd couple” college town and farmland.
Champaign-Urbana has a 20% lower cost of living than the rest of the country. It costs less than half as much as the national average to buy a home in this area. The people who live there can then enjoy Champaign-Urbana’s thriving arts scene and neighbourhood life. It’s a little urban oasis bordered by fields that never end. The Spurlock Museum and Market at the Square are two of the best places to visit.
7. Schaumburg
There are about 75,000 people living in Schaumburg, which is on our list because it has great schools and a very low crime rate. Schaumburg is a suburb northwest of downtown Chicago that feels very middle-class, even though the usual home price doesn’t support this idea.
Schaumburg advertises itself as a great spot for young families. A low cost of living can help you get in, and the area has some of the best child care spots in Illinois.
The Legoland Discovery Centre and Water Works Indoor Water Park are fun places to go for a day off. The close-knit neighbourhood is known for being friendly, and there are some great restaurants and cute public parks in the area.
FAQ’s
Q1. What criteria were used to determine the “best” cities in Illinois?
Things like quality of life, job opportunities, cultural amenities, safety, and general appeal for both locals and visitors went into our choice.
Q2. How were the cities ranked in the list?
The rankings were based on a wide range of factors, such as affordability, schooling, healthcare, recreational opportunities, and involvement in the community.
Q3. Are these cities suitable for families?
Yes, many of the places we've talked about are good for families because they have good schools, parks, and activities that the whole family can enjoy. The list includes towns with a variety of services that can fit a wide range of lifestyles.
