Illinois is really not that boring!
Money Magazine selected four Illinois towns for their annual “100 Best Places to Live” list. Bolingbrook (#43), Naperville (#54), Mt. Prospect (#56) and Arlington Heights (#59) all made
the cut according to CNNMoney.com. All four Chicagoland towns were chosen for their healthy job markets, excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, low crime rates, recreational opportunities, charm and other attributes that make them ideal places to call home.
Several other Illinois towns were featured in lists that boasted specific draws to potential homebuyers. Both Bolingbrook and Joliet were listed in the Top 25 “Places Where Homes are Affordable.” Money Magazine described Bolingbrook (#8) as an “ethnically diverse, affluent town” with affordable deals for homebuyers. In the Chicago suburb, some four-bedroom, two-bath houses sell for under $200,000. Joliet’s (#18) meteoric rise in population since 2000—a staggering 37 percent—transformed this one-time steel town to a destination for Illinois families. In this southeast suburb, a 2,000-square-foot home can cost less than $190,000.
Single and looking to mingle? Two Illinois cities graced the list as destinations for the rich and single. The artsy Oak Park (#13) and North Shore university town Evanston (#16) have singles making up more than 30 percent of their overall population and plenty of singles hotspots—corner cafes, art galleries and eclectic restaurants.
One Illinois city placed on the magazine’s list of cities with the cleanest air. College town Champaign (#21) has high air quality with air pollution levels well below the national average.
Hmmmm? What about all those cows?
Best Places to Live
© 2007 - 2010 Lyn Sims
good work Lyn, you got 4 towns - we got one this year in Michigan as far as I know. But the list changes so looking forward to seeing us back on the map. IL is far from boring.
Sounds as if IL might have a lock on the Money Magazines best places to live. From the prices you've quoted the value is certainly there. Does the methane from cows really pollute the environment more than cars?
Lyn, I love the entire metro Chicago area. Such a wonderful city! Far from boring!
Lyn - I've lived in 3 out of the 4 cities listed on the "100 best places to live" list and I have to say Naperville is by far my favorite and not just best that's where I went to high school and where my oldest son was born, but because it really is a beautiful place to live and raise a family. You're right "Illinois is really not that boring"
Okay before I quit Texas and move to Evanston to stalk the single men - sounds like they are rich but are they cute and cuddly? ;)
Janet: Our own Mr. Evanston is none other than Alan May! He's cute & cuddly that's for sure.
Michelle: That's right I forgot that you lived in Naperville with Belushi.
Cindy: My money's on the cows.
Kathy: A few years ago they couldn't find Illinois.
Deborah: The city has definately more things to do than the 'burbs.
Hi Lyn! You're a wonderful Illinois ambassador! Great plug for your area.