Help...information about small IL towns (Chicago, Peoria: real estate, for rent, houses)

[StevenKrzak]

I am a 41 year old single male, have lived in the Chicago/O'Hare area my entire life and have always wanted to move to a rural area (my preference would be population 0-5,000, but that's not written in stone.)

I am not looking for perfection, just an area that is decent (I love nature and quaint towns/villages) and not too far from work (would like to keep the commute under 20 miles one-way, if possible.) The night life is not for me; I know how to keep myself entertained. I would just like to work, contribute to a community and spend time living a quiet life. The larger cities will always be there if I would be inclined to visit a museum, shop at a mall, etc.

Although I have worked as an administrative assistant at a major university for 15+ years and was an assistant to a real estate agent for 2 years, I would not be opposed to a different line of work. For me, finding a decent job seems to be the number one challenge in making any kind of rural move. I've been thinking of starting a cleaning business (residential/small businesses) and am also doing a bit of direct selling (scented candles.) I've always wanted to work with animals, particularly with dogs.

Can you please give me your opinons about the following areas? I'd greatly appreciate your input! Thank you!

NW, IL:
Apple River
Galena
Geneseo
Leaf River
Lena
Mount Carroll
Oregon
Polo
Scales Mound

Central, IL:
Arcola
Arthur
Atwood
Mahomet
Shelbyville

[Madcitygirl]

I am opposite of you being that I am from Madison, WI and husband from Milwaukee, WI, but we lived in the QC for 4 years, and wanted to go to Chicago, Milwaukee or Madison, but choose Madison in the end.

The last year we lived in Cambridge, IL which was 10 miles from Geneseo. I wished the whole time we lived there that we would've moved to Geneseo instead. A nice quiet town, you don't have to go to the QC for what you need-in town they have a Jewel/Osco, Farm and Fleet and Walmart. It has a beautiful downtown and a nice mix of houses. They also have a nice hospital with all of doctor's offices right there. They are very school oriented and love their local sports. I only disliked Cambridge for the fact that you had to go to Geneseo for all of your errands.

[StevenKrzak]

Dear Madcitygirl,

Thanks for your reply and for the information about Geneseo. The "nice quiet town" aspect appeals to me, and I love Farm and Fleet!

By the way, and this is just my opinion, I think that your choice of moving to Madison was a good one. I hope that things are working out well for you there.

Thanks again for the information about Geneseo!

[Madcitygirl]

I actually grew up in a small town outside of Madison, Verona and Geneseo really reminded me of that. If we ever came back to the QC area I definely would move to Geneseo.

[linicx]

Five counties make up the Illinois River Valley. They are Peoria, Tazewell, Mason, Fulton and Woodford. With the exception of Mtropolitan Peoria, and a couple of other smaller busy towns, the rest of the area is farming. orchard. livestock, etc.. I've traveled from coast to coast, Canada and Mexico. There are some wonderful places, but, only one area of one town remotely resembles the valley. I lived there too, but it isn't the same. There are a lot of things to do and see in this area - if you are inclined to do so. You can sleep with the wolves in a nearby state park, or play in one of the 68 parks managed by the Peoria Park District, or attend one of the largest night time Christmas parades in the nation, or maybe a Cigar festival is more to your liking. If you want to commune with nature, Havana is the entrry point to Emiquon Preserve, Emiquon National wildlife Refuge, Chatauqua National Wildlife Refuge, Illinois River Road, Illinois Country Nature Trail, a dozen state parks, and there's a native american museum and burial mound nearby. There is a marinna or two if you sail. The things you can do to entertain yourself or family is endless. On the otherhand, if you want to be left alone, you can do that too. The food is good and you can still buy a house for less than $75k if you don't mind doing a little work. Quite frankly I could use a cleaning service, painter and a carpenter myself. There are a more than a few of us who need a nandyman that costs less than $60/hr. My personal website - no ads- is all about the area where I live and play. I hope you enjoy it.
http://www.havanaillinoisonline.com/

[linicx]

Considering your admistrative experience, you should be able to go to work for Caterpillar without a lot of trouble -- or maybe a smaller city.

Shelbyville, Arthur, Champaign, etc.m are more eastern central Illinois.

[StevenKrzak]

Dear linicx,

Thank you so much for taking the time to provide such detailed information regarding the Illinoise River Valley/Central Illinois. Because I've never spent time in the Central IL area, your information is very helpful. Havana sounds beautiful and I'll take a look at your personal website to learn more about the Havana area.

Thanks again!

[fantasymaker]

Shelbyville even more than most small towns is very clannish.Hwy 16 thru town is a dividing line,everyone south of that line ,even though they might live in a more beautiful spot and a better house are trash to those north of the line. And even moreso if they are from one of the smaller towns in the county.
Houseing is cheep there, My friends 500,000 Glenveiw house would be a $50,000 home in Shelbyvile and $30,000 in the surrounding towns.
Most other things are cheep in this part of the state too.
As for the commute my friends 20 mile commute to work in shelbyville takes 18 minutes.
The nearby lake is the prime recreational activity in the area.
in this area Id suggest Taylorville Pana Effingham Altimont and Mattoon

[runninfiend]

Just curious about this post.

[quote]I've traveled from coast to coast, Canada and Mexico. There are some wonderful places, but, only one area of one town remotely resembles the valley. I lived there too, but it isn't the same.[quote]

Not sure what this means. What valley and what isn't the same?


[quote]You can sleep with the wolves in a nearby state park[quote]

Hey we may be a little backwards here in the sticks but...Would have to check the legality of this particular brand of inter-species communal activity.


[quote]you can still buy a house for less than $75k if you don't mind doing a little work.[quote]

Any house around here for less than 75k is either smack dab in the ghetto or in need of a lot more than a "little" work.

Just some observations...

[linicx]

There is one spot on Blue Bluff in Grove, OK that looks out on Grand Lake and reminds me alot of looking out over Peoria Lake from Grand View Drive. I lived in Grove. It's a woderful area, but it isn't the Valley, nor is it central Illinois.

I happen to be very parrtial to Havana. You can buy a home for less than 75k that is not in a ghetto because Havana does not have one. It also does not have much crime. You can also buy a home for 500K orr more.

Excuse the poetic license but you can sleep with the wolves in complete safety or you can participate in the annual Red Neck Fishing Tournament. The wolves are in the Prairie Wildlife State Park in Peoria County in a contained area. Cabins there are for rent. The fishing thing is at the Village of Bath in Mason County.

I love your sense of humor, runninfiend, inter-species communication? You don't have to worry about the legality. Save your money and come have a little fun.