Decatur, IL (Chicago, Springfield, Champaign: real estate, crime, unemployment rate)

[MirandaKayla]

Decatur is a nice place to retire but I wouldn't recommend it for a younger family or single adult. There is absolutely NOTHING to do in the way of fun and excitement or night life. A few local bars but that is all. We have a pool in Fairview park that is overrun by young (usually disrespectful) teenagers. Scovill zoo doesn't offer much more than reptiles, birds and a few monkeys. The lake is not clean enough to swim in either. The mall (if that's what you want to call it) is an absolute joke. Rue 21, Maurices, Kohls, Bergners, Finish Line, Hobby Lobby, Foot Locker, Von Maur.....that's about it. No other places to shop so me and my friends usually drive to Champaign or Springfield about 40 minutes away in either direction.

Jobs are scarce and the unemployment rate is exceptionally high. Although the crime really isn't that bad unless you are in the hoods which is where 99% of shootings, robberies and such exists.

The good thing about Decatur is that the cost of living is literally the cheapest you'll find anywhere. It's centrally located so large cities are only a few hours in any direction. St. Louis is two hours South, Chicago is two and a half hours North, Indianapolis is two and a half hours East.

The best area to live in inside of Decatur is North or South Shores. The East side stinks (literally) from the factories being near that side of town. The Southside is okay as well. The Westside has Millikin University which has a beautiful campus but the Westside has the prostitutes, and panhandlers as well.

I would not recommend living WITHIN the radius of Fairview St. to Jasper St. and Garfield Ave. to Decatur St. The smaller surrounding cities such as Macon, Maroa, Argenta, Oreana, Mt.Zion, Forsyth, and Warrensburg have great school districts. Decatur does not.

[CShel24]

The smell of Decatur is enough to drive people away.

[froglipz]

Decatur for retirement? I don' see it!

[madpaddy]

Decatur for retirement? It's on my radar. There's decent health care, a lake with affordable access, a reasonable amount of social opportunities, and the crime that scares a lot of people away is largely localized and can be avoided with a little common sense about where to live and hang out. Most importantly, real estate is very cheap, leaving room in the budget for winter "snow-birding" in the south. The relatively easy access to St Louis, Chicago, and Indianapolis is also nice.

As for Scovill zoo, I personally think it's quite nice given the size of the community that supports it.

Decatur ain't exactly a slice of heaven, but I think it often get's an unduly bad wrap. The worst thing about it is the public school system. At retirement, quality of schools will be of zero importance to me.