nice small towns in IL/WI/MI (Chicago, Springfield: waterparks, how much)

[LNB11210]

Hello- new to this and hoping for some advice. My husband and I live in South Chicago Burbs and just had a baby; we are wanting to move (within 2-3hrs drive from Chicago to stay near family) mainly to give our son and future children a slightly more rural life growing up. Important things to us are: good schools, safe community, rural but jobs/shopping not too far away, English speaking!! and an outdoors/nature feel. Now where we live, all of our "nature" is being eaten up by stores and traffic- I mean how many Targets do you need within 10 minutes of your house?! It's hard to walk more than a mile anywhere in our town without hitting a really busy street. I do like where we live but we just want a better life for our son. Thanks!

[linicx]

You might like Havana, IL. It's a river town that offers golf, bowling, riverfront park with boat launch. covered picnic areas, play ground, pool, adequate shopping for most needs, hospital/ with life flight, doctors, EMT, library, gas stations, movie theater, movie rental, better than average city servuces, solid Internet connection and nature.

Havana is in the heart of the largest inland wetlands in America. The nearest 'big town' is bout 30 miles. It is 50' miles from Springfield, Beoria or Bloomington-Normal.

School is k-12 (no busing) and a 2 yr community college; In this area you will find 3 universities and and half-doxen m/l 4- year colleges plus several trade schools. I know the school superintendent. The kids who have parentents involved with the schools and at home with their children do get a very decent education.

Havana is 2.5 -3 hours from Chicago or St. Louis. You can fky, drive or take a train or use private transportation that costs about the same as the trail round-trip.

You can find 7 or 8 churches, restaurants, grocres, pharmacies, bars, auto dealer, auto repair, auto parts store, small engine repair, hardware and lunber, motels, campling, and a liquor store.
In this particular area there are a lot of family events, lakes and things to do from small to national events. It is very rural with corn and soybeen fields and ranches, but if you don't mind driving 45 minutes you can 5 Malls, a dozen shopping centers and a 10,000 acre park district, 3 zoos, waterparks, and things for kids of all ages.

You cannot escape crime, thugs or drugs, but it is neither major nor out of control. It is the seat of Mason County and as such it is reasonably peaceful 95% of the time. It is also adjunct to the Mississippi Flyway which offers plenty of opportunity to view several species of birds and wildlilfe.
My parents lived here for a number of years. so I am familiar with the area.

The economy is lousy all over Illinois, and even more so in rural areas, but you can get a good deal on houses, and both couny and state services are within 5 minutes of downtown. You'll see more traffic and people at the annual Oktoberfest than you do all year. It is a family town I would move to with children, in a heartbeat. I heven't met anyone who cannot manage the English language.

[Maintainschaos]

I've enjoyed both Galena, IL (NW corner of the state) and Chatham, IL (near Springfield). Chatham has good school, all of the amenities of being near Springfield, and it's just a short drive from St. Louis. Rochester, IL (also near Springfield) is about the same as Chatham only smaller.

[sgresident]

You might want to look at some of the very far west suburbs of chicago. Once you get west of Route 47, the area gets more rural. Check out elburn, sugar grove, kaneville, maple park, cortland, sycamore, dekalb, big rock, hinckley, paw paw, shabonna. you are far enough west, yet close enough to some shopping, and can typically hop on I88 to get to chicago.

[sharebear63]

Galena IL gets my vote!!! The schools are great and the atmosphere is wonderful. Not to mention the people. You will never find better eating establishments in any other small town anywhere.

Employment is still available in Dubuque (15 minutes away) and has a Target when you want one.

Although, I agee with sgresident, the housing is much less out here in Jo Daviess County.

[cubssoxfan]

First thoughts are Where Is Work located? You either need someplace within commuting distance of current job, or need to find another job first and let that be a guide to your next location.

[LynnKK]

Yes, where do you work would be a good beginning place. Galena is lovely, but if Gasser's hardware or Walmart does not have what you need....another trip to Dubuque and your project takes 4 hours instead of 2 hours. The NW suburbs boast good schools...Spring Grove is a great community and the homes there are on acre sites.

[chicagojlo]

You might consider Lake Bluff - it's a small village of 6,000 but has a small beach and great schools. There is a very nice community spirit here and it's very safe.

[cubssoxfan]

OP, again-how does job play into this? Or are you retired? How much can you spend on housing? Take a map and look at 120-180 miles from where you are now (2-3 hours). Too many choices with not enough info from you to provide any suggestions beyond "Gee that place struck me as being nice." Kinda like throwing darts with a blindfold on.

[chicagojlo]

I noticed they mentioned proximity to jobs in their original post so I'm thinking there isn't a job to move for. Not really a good idea with a child right now.