Questions re: moving to Champaign, IL (Urbana, Rantoul: best towns, real estate, apartment)

[Catlynn]

Hello all.
We are yet another couple from Michigan looking to get the heck out because of the truly terrible economy. We live in Petoskey, and our manufacturing base is dissolving (4 factory closures so far this year). All that's left - minimum wage service sector jobs - just can't support the high cost of living here. If you are thinking of moving to Michigan, particularly Northern Michigan - DON'T.
Champaign-Urbana has been on our short-list (along with Madison, Raleigh, Austin, Eugene), but BF has decided upon UI Urbana for his next degree, so it's time to start info-gathering.
I've been looking at outlying areas - say, 10-15 miles from the University, and I would love some opinions on best towns/neighborhoods for: reasonable house prices, good water, rich soil, big trees, low crime, and neighborhood feel. Small towns are AOK. I found a lot of what seemed to be nice houses in Rantoul - but I contacted a Realtor, who said that Rantoul is a dump, and that he would stick to Champaign proper. Of course, cost of homes is much higher and it seems they are all SMALL - 700 - 800 square feet, the size of BF's dinky apartment, and slab-built, which I absolutely do not want.
My primary hobby is gardening, so great soil is a real bonus (we have nothing but sand here).
If we can sell our homes without a huge loss in this awful market, we hope to relocate in 10 to 12 months.
Any fabulous towns you'd like to promote?
Thanks in advance for your help,
Lynn

[Paxtonian]

I'm known for this advice, but here it goes again- look into Paxton. It's ten miles north of Rantoul. Rantoul has some problems, notably the school systems are being overwhelmed with transient children who do not speak English. Parts of the town are relatively OK, though. Paxton is a much better place, I can attest to that. Look up the video link I posted in the other current Champaign posting.

[Catlynn]

Thanks, Paxtonian. I've been reading the Illinois posts, and I wondered if you would pipe up with a Rah-Rah for your town. =D
I found a couple homes in Paxton (on realtor.com) that looked lovely, obviously well-maintained. I find Pride of Place very attractive. It seems to speak to the general (good) character of a community when the homes and yards are tidy. I'll be down for a look-see in mid July, and I will certainly put Paxton on my list of towns to visit. Thank you for the input!
Lynn

[Paxtonian]

Yahoo Real Estate has a variety of listings for here too. Check out Gibson City while you're at it, it's about 15 miles west of here, and they do have jobs open in town. BTW, I have relatives in Petoskey, for all I know we may be related.

[Drover]

Others worth looking into that are a bit closer to C/U are Mahomet and St. Joseph. You'll probably get more house for your money in Paxton and Gibson City as a trade-off for a longer drive. Another town to look into is Monticello.

And your realtor is right -- Rantoul is a crater. People in the area frequently refer to it as "Rantucky."

[Katiana]

Monticello is about 20 miles or so from C/U. I would stick with Mahomet or St. Joe. I used to live in St. Joe and work in Champaign. It was a decent drive, kinda relaxing.

[Drover]

The thing about St. Joe and Mahomet is that real estate in those towns has gotten incredibly expensive, so much so that Mahomet in particular is probably more expensive than C/U any more; and the OP indicates she is price-sensitive.

[diane faith]

Monticello has Allerton Park. It's a huge estate Robert Allerton left to U of I. Really cool place. We drive 2 1/2 HRS IN THE SPRING JUST TO WALK through it. Sunken garden, huge statues and miles of forest with walking paths. There are all these neat unexpected things to see there. Great for a relaxing picnic. I always wished I could own a house nearby the park so I could go walking there daily. Monticello seems like a cute small town. I would check it out anyway and go visit Allerton Park the place is magical.

[M TYPE X]

You don't want Paxton, Rantucky, or Monticello. Mahomet, if you must.

The good news is that I'll likely be up in the Petoskey/Cheboygan area in early August, so I'll stop by and talk some sense into your husband. Water and trees ... you want Madison, not Champaign.

Then again, while the UW campus is nicer, the UW seems to be on a downward slide while the UI is expanding.

[Catlynn]

I appreciate all the feedback. M Type X - my first choice (if we must stay in the midwest) was Madison. But cost of real estate there is west-coast-high, it's just as cold and snowy as our current location (and we would like a shorter winter), and BF is set on UI.
Thanks again, all.
Lynn