Moving home (Chicago, Peoria, Springfield: low crime, hotels, homes)

[x82nd]

After 5 years in the hell hole that is Tucson Az, I have talked my wife into moving back to Illinois which is where I grew up. We have been looking for a town with a decent tourism trade (I have worked in hospitality for years) but where the cost of living isnt sky high (Chicago). We are hoping find somewhere where crime isnt skyhigh and the schools are decent (not Peoria). I loved the small town feel that I had in Morton, but know that area offers little in tourism. We are young and just starting out in life so this will be the place we grow and really put down roots. Any advice would be more then appreciated.

[Drover]

Small town, reasonable cost of living (certainly compared to Chicago), low crime and decent (though maybe not outstanding) schools? Sounds like you're looking for Galena.

Have you considered looking a little bit north? Many parts of rural Wisconsin do pretty good tourism business, particularly those that have good fishing and boating opportunities.

[ff40184]

New Harmony IN

[CellarBelle]

You could live in Edwardsville/Glen Carbon area (great schools), and work in St. Louis - just 30 minutes away. Good luck!

[Scribbler]

Galena would be my vote for non-Chicago tourism industry and smaller town vibe. I know nothing about their school district, however.

[busymom2407]

All of those little towns in Jersey County are wonderful! and the tourism is growing the senic byway on the great river road is beautiful!!!

[HOWELL_STREET]

In reality, Illinois does not have a level of tourism as some of the Western states. Yes, we have Chicago for tourism - - and we also have Galena, Illinois that is very nice.
On the flip side, we do not have the Grand Canyon or even Zion National Park.
If you want to find employment in the 'Hospitality' field, it is my belief that you are going to end up in an expensive area of Illinois. That's just the way the 'formula' works - - actually, everywhere.
For a moment, Consider Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It is a beautiful tourist locale. So there is congestion EVERYWHERE in that area and with extremely expensive homes. Another similar town would be Pidgeon Forge quite close to Gatlinburg.
So one or the other of the 'formula' works okay but not both. In other words, living near one of the few Illinois tourism areas, is going to cost a lot of money for one's home.
Illinois can be 'loosely' divided in North and South. If one wants inexpensive housing and a good job, then move South of Springfield, Illinois. Starting around Effingham, Illinois - - that area starts what is known as the Bible Belt. Down there, people are very gracious / friendly and it doesn't cost a small fortune to live there. 'Hope this helps you with your decisions.

Best Regards,

Carter Glass

[illinoisnative]

Southern Illinois would definitely be more reasonable in living expenses than the Chicago area. You might find opportunities in the hospitality field in the St. Louis Metro-East communities of Fairview Heights, O'Fallon, and Collinsville, plus new hotels planned for Belleville. Collinsville has the Gateway Convention Center and Fairview Heights has the Four Points Sheraton with The Fountains Conference Center. Belleville also has the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. Or you could live in on the Illinois side and have lots of choices in the hospitality/tourism fields in St. Louis.

[illinoisnative]

Forgot to mention that O'Fallon, IL is also building a conference center with two more hotels on Interstate 64 about 15-16 miles east of St. Louis.

[CarolL]

Outside of Chicago, I would say Galena is probably the #1 tourist attraction with what you're looking for. Also consider Shawnee National Forest area; Nauvoo, which I've heard is experiencing a resurgence in popularity; Quincy/Hannibal; St. Louis -- or go north a bit into Wis., for Lake Geneva. What about Door County, WI (the "Cape Cod of the Midwest")?