The Best Places to Live in Illinois

If you’re thinking of moving to the state that gave us Abraham Lincoln, deep-dish pizza, and the band Cheap Trick, there are tons of options of places to call home. Whether you want to be near top-rated universities in places like the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL, or love the hustle and bustle of a large midwestern city like Chicago, the Prairie State has something for you.

Here are some of the best places to live in Illinois:

Chicago, IL

When people think of Illinois, they often think of sweet home Chicago. It’s the third most populated city in the U.S. and the largest city in the state. With over 200 unique neighborhoods and 77 defined community areas, everyone can fit in here. Price might be a little higher here in the city than in other places in the state, but the incredible theater, art, sports, and music scene makes it worth the extra price. Oh, and there’s the amazing food: from deep-dish pizza to foods found in Greek Town.

Champaign, IL

Champaign, IL, gets its claim to fame for being the home of the University of Illinois. Most of the best parts of living here revolve around being in a college town. This active city offers plenty of fun things to do. On the same note, the cost of living here is less than the state’s average. Make sure you at least visit in April when Champaign, IL, hosts the Roger Ebert’s Film Festival, known as Ebertfest. This fest is named after the famous film critic who attended the University of Illinois and founded the festival in 1999.

Naperville, IL

Naperville is one of the top-three populated cities in the state and often finds its name on the Top 10 Cities to call home. As a western suburb of Chicago, residents can enjoy the amenities of the city without being caught up in its congestion. People who hang their hats in Naperville often have a little bit of money to afford the higher cost of living. With over 130 parks and sports complexes, not to mention tons of shopping districts, it attracts families who are willing to pay a little more for an awesome neighborhood.

Springfield, IL

For those who love popular historic areas, there’s no better place to live than Springfield. The state’s capital is where former president Lincoln live for nearly two decades. With affordable housing, great schools, and lots of diversity, Springfield offers a little of something for everyone. There’s no shortage of things to do, either. From thriving nightlife to plenty of historical areas to explore, Springfield is one of the most popular places to live.

Clarendon Hills, IL

If you’re looking for some of the best schools in the country, Clarendon Hills is a great place to call home. The public school system ranks as one of the nation’s best. This small city is also one of the safest places in the state. The other thing this smaller area has to offer is a strong sense of community. Of course, that community does come with a slightly higher price tag than you’ll find elsewhere in the state.