Help smaller towns wanted! (Chicago, Rockford: homes, employment, theater)

[mstone32]

I grew up about 1/2 hour north of Bloomington/Normal, in a town around 2500. The small town setting definitely has its advantages for children, as they'll be safer outside playing the yard, riding their bikes or walks as they get older, more one-one attention w/ "most" of the schools, etc. I don't have kids yet, but hope to remain in the small town atmosphere when I do. Since you're originally from Galesburg, I'm sure you're somewhat familiar with Bloomington. It's about 1/2 way between Chicago & St. Louis, so really not a bad drive if you wanna take the weekend getaways either direction for more culture, etc. The crime in this area is pretty low, and the farm property is decently priced depending on # of acres & exact location. Good luck with whatever you decide!!

[gypsyjena]

Building a house on farmland is NOT eco-friendly in the slightest, regardless of how eco-friendly you think that house might be.

The ground in a rural area probably has more scary things in it than in the middle of Chicago.

Do you consider the smell of livestock part of clean air?

[Scribbler]

Originally Posted by gypsyjena

Do you consider the smell of livestock part of clean air?

Yes, actually. I would a million times rather smell occasional manure than constant city sewers and exhaust.

[PenguinSix]

It sounds like you need a halfway move. I think Chicago would become more of a 'couple of times a year' location but you don't seem to want the total detachment of moving back to the farms and shopping at Rural King.

You are not alone--not by a far stretch.

Have you considered some mid-sized towns that are within a day's trip to Chicago? A Champaign or Bloomington or Peoria maybe? It would still be possible to get a bit of timber and land outside of one of these towns, and the cities would offer a bit in the way of culture and schooling (beyond that of say someplace much more rural). Chicago isn't totally gone--though just not a daily or even weekly event.

[mstone32]

I think you seem to be leaning towards what PenguinSix mentions....maybe a midsize town would be more your style & less of a culture shock after living in the bigger city. To respond to gypsyjena...I'm not trying to start a debate here & totally agree with some of what you mentioned as the definite negatives of the smaller communities, especially when it comes to your ecofriendly concepts. However, I can also say that being raised by a farming family, that was the way of living in our area. Yes - the pesticides used aren't the best for the environment & the pig "poo" when you step outside on a nice day is the worst smell...but there are gonna be negatives of some sort w/ whatever location you're in. The farming lifestyle raised me, provided well for me, and has made me the type of person w/ the values I have today...just as the city and/or suburbs were you're upbringing. The fumes from the amount of cars/traffic in the larger cities aren't the best for the environment, either...so, I guess it really depends which "types" of things are more of a priority. I do also wanna mention that we don't have the typical "organic" foods around most of the areas where I'm at. So, I will definitely not dispute some of the importances that the family is wanting to keep in their life when making a decision.

[Scribbler]

You also don't need access to grocery stores with pricey organics when you have the space to grow your own produce and farm stands at your fingertips.

To the OP, you mention you're a Galesburg native; are you seeking something of that general size, or something really small?

[emergencymom69]

Lindsay, The family and I moved to Genoa, IL (in DeKalb County) 4 years ago and while we didn't buy farmland we did like the fact that Genoa has a much slower, family oriented pace to the town. With DeKalb nearby (12miles SW) and Rockford just a bit further NW it is the best of both worlds. My son is older than your kids as he is in HS but he finds plenty to do. I like the fact that it is a friendly small town yet close to larger cities that have plenty of options for, shopping, theater, and child friendly places.

Boone County is also nice as Jeff Hill has mentioned, Genoa is off of the same exit for Boone county on I-90 W, once you get off on the Genoa Rd. exit follow it 18 miles south and you are in Genoa.

If you have any questions, I'd be happy to help.

[M TYPE X]

Illinois has a lot of small towns ........................................... and they're all awful.

[FYI: I say the same thing about Indiana and Ohio.]

[Mathguy]

I'd consider moving somewhere on the outskirts of like Bloomington or Champaign\Urbana where you can live in a rural environment but still be close to a decent sized town.

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by M TYPE X

Illinois has a lot of small towns ........................................... and they're all awful.

[FYI: I say the same thing about Indiana and Ohio.]

Hmmm....if they were all named "Awful" it would be pretty hard to get anywhere or have the mail delivered. I'm pretty sure there is a "Normal" and maybe a "Mediocre" too.