Jacksonville vs. Quincy (Springfield, Champaign, Urbana: property taxes, job, hospitals)

[Alexva]

What are the relative merits of Quincy vs. Jacksonville?

I now live in Washington D.C., but am originally from the midwest. I would like to move to small town Illinois. Two towns I am considering are Jacksonville and Quincy. I have a job I can bring with me, so employment is not an issue (I just need high speed Internet access). I may end up buying a place on the edge of town or just outside, depending upon cable TV availability, so I can get a few acres.

Which town is best, Jacksonville or Quincy? (Or another?)

My wish list:
> small town (5k to 35k pop.)
> near a large city with decent airport and hospital (within 100 miles if possible)
> college town
> good high school
> reasonable property taxes
> entertainment; golf course, plays, theaters, bookstore(s)
> must have a Lowes/Home Depot or comparable
> plus given for quaint/historic buildings, attractive downtown

Are there other Illinois towns that fit the bill? Thanks in advance.

[jessiegirl_98]

I grew up in Quincy, so I can talk about that one:
-Quincy is no longer below 35 K. It's more 40K now, however, there are small towns on the outskirts of Quincy that would be smaller
-The largest city around Quincy is really St. Louis (about a 2 hour drive). It is also 1.5 hours from Springfield, but I would just say they have OK hospitals and an OK airport. Quincy does have a very small airport and hospital..... Jacksonville would be close to Springfield.
-Neither Quincy or Jacksonville or in anyway college towns. With a pop of under 35K you are not likely to find that. That being said, Quincy does have a University, I am just thinking of places like Champaign/Urbana, that are true college towns.
-Quincy has an excellent public high school with a great music department and great sports teams.
-I can't really answer about property taxes, you can probably google this, but I always here that they are high in Quincy (this might just be IL though)
-Quincy definitly wins on entertainment, but that's not saying much. There is always a lot going on with the arts (theater, music, etc) in Quincy. There is at least 1 public and 2 country club golf courses in Quincy, and well, for the bookstore, there is a Waldenbooks.... That's about it.
-Quincy has both Lowes/Home Depot
-Quincy has a lot more quaint/historic buildings. The downtown is being reonnovated, but still has a way to go.
-It would also be really easy to get several acres on the outskirts of town.

I curious as to how you chose Quincy. I would DEFINITLY recommend it over Jacksonville. If you haven't been, you should come and visit to see for yourself.

[Alexva]

Originally Posted by jessiegirl_98

I curious as to how you chose Quincy. I would DEFINITLY recommend it over Jacksonville. If you haven't been, you should come and visit to see for yourself.

Mostly by looking at info/images on the Internet. Quincy seems to have a nice looking downtown—lots of grand old brick structures. Plus, both Quincy and Jacksonville have small colleges. It’s hard to find all the things I want in a small city. I will visit several of the towns I am considering, as I grow closer to a decision. Thanks for your input.

[dmann304]

I lived in jacksonville and liked it for one going to school their and enjoyed memories of it.

Jacksonville offers a decent amount or eating establishments and shopping os so so.

I lived around Morton ave r104, but one of jacsonville's downsides is, no way of getting in or out unless you have a car.

Back in the 20's. Jacksonville was a busling town and had trains going in and out but i died in the 70's.

Yea Jville is good to visit and live if you don't mind small city life.

[Alexva]

How does Mattoon compare to the other two, Quincy and Jacksonville? Anyone care to weigh in on Mattoon?