Danville Area (Champaign, St. Joseph, Ogden: homes, unemployment, school district)

[semomom]

My husband has taken a job in Danville. We are wanting to know about housing, schools and the area? Also thinking about living in Indiana??

It would be wonderfull to hear from someone who lives or has lived there!

Thanks

[Clint_Noname]

Originally Posted by semomom

My husband has taken a job in Danville. We are wanting to know about housing, schools and the area? Also thinking about living in Indiana??

It would be wonderfull to hear from someone who lives or has lived there!

Thanks

Overall, Danville is one of the worst places to live in Illinois. Crime, unemployment, and poverty are huge problems in Danville -- just look at the statistics. Schools are of very poor quality -- the test scores for the schools are way below the state averages. On the plus side, it has all the advantages of a small town, and the cost of living and housing is very cheap (as to be expected of such a crappy place to live). I haven't lived there, but looking at all the statistics and knowing a lot about the bigger towns here in Illinois, I should probably be glad I haven't.

Seriously, moving to Danville will be the biggest mistake of your life. Good luck living there!

[Drover]

Danville itself is an asteroid crater and nobody deliberately moves there to get their kids into the school district. Living elsewhere (Indiana included) and commuting to work is highly recommended.

What kind of town are you looking for? Bigger? Smaller? What's your housing budget? If you're looking for good schools nearby with a relatively short commute to Danville, I suggest Ogden which is part of the St. Joseph/Ogden school district. The high school itself is one of the most highly regarded in east central Illinois.

[semomom]

We are looking for a smaller town. Housing budget not sure yet. I will check Ogden school district out on the web. Thank you very much for your input.

Originally Posted by Drover

Danville itself is an asteroid crater and nobody deliberately moves there to get their kids into the school district. Living elsewhere (Indiana included) and commuting to work is highly recommended.

What kind of town are you looking for? Bigger? Smaller? What's your housing budget? If you're looking for good schools nearby with a relatively short commute to Danville, I suggest Ogden which is part of the St. Joseph/Ogden school district. The high school itself is one of the most highly regarded in east central Illinois.

[Drover]

If by "smaller" you mean "about 750 people and not much of a business district to speak of" then Ogden is your place. I have family there; it's quiet and mostly tidy. A tornado wiped out about a quarter of the town about 15 years ago so there's a lot of newer/more modern homes there.

[semomom]

Sounds like you know the area! I did look at the school web site for a few minutes. I will go back and look further at it (when I have more time!). I appreciate your time in giving me this info. Thanks again.

Originally Posted by Drover

If by "smaller" you mean "about 750 people and not much of a business district to speak of" then Ogden is your place. I have family there; it's quiet and mostly tidy. A tornado wiped out about a quarter of the town about 15 years ago so there's a lot of newer/more modern homes there.

[tito]

Originally Posted by Clint_Noname

Overall, Danville is one of the worst places to live in Illinois. Crime, unemployment, and poverty are huge problems in Danville -- just look at the statistics. Schools are of very poor quality -- the test scores for the schools are way below the state averages. On the plus side, it has all the advantages of a small town, and the cost of living and housing is very cheap (as to be expected of such a crappy place to live). I haven't lived there, but looking at all the statistics and knowing a lot about the bigger towns here in Illinois, I should probably be glad I haven't.

Seriously, moving to Danville will be the biggest mistake of your life. Good luck living there!

I agree with you Clint-Noname, I wouldn't live in Danville due the high criminal index. I'll be doing some temporary work there in the Spring and Summer, can you suggest any safer communities within commuting distance from Danville?

[NoLove4MO]

You should read the "Looking into Danville" discussion pretty closely. Danville is perhaps the worst town in Illinois. That being said, I would recommend St. Joseph over Ogden. St. Joe has quickly become a new burb of Champaign. There's plenty of new housing in the area, Ogden is pretty much a sleepy old town with nothing at all going on. It's only about a 20 minute drive to Danville. Nevertheless, Ogden and St. Joe are both in Champaign county which offers far better services than you'll find in Vermilion. Vermilion should be avoided at all cost!

[middle-aged mom]

Wasn't Rob Pertrie ( DVD) from Danville ?

[arpschneider]

Originally Posted by middle-aged mom

Wasn't Rob Pertrie ( DVD) from Danville ?

Yes, Danville is the home of both Dick and Jerry Van Dyke.