How To Choose The Best Town To Live In Illinois

Trying to find the perfect place to live in Illinois? Whether you're all about hiking trails, top-notch schools, or a killer brunch spot, there's a town out there that checks your boxes.

What Makes a Town "The Best" Depends on Who You Ask

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Ask ten people what makes a neighborhood ideal, and you'll get ten different answers—plus probably one argument about property taxes.

For outdoorsy types, it's all about the access to trails, lakes, and beaches. Parents tend to prioritize highly ranked schools, while culture lovers want a steady diet of museums, galleries, and local theater. And let's not forget the sports fans—who might care more about how close they are to a stadium than a grocery store.

Luckily, there's a list for that.

Stacker Compiled the Top Spots in Illinois

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Using data from Niche, the folks at Stacker pulled together a list of the best places to live in Illinois. The ranking factors in everything from the cost of living and quality of schools to access to parks, health care, and yes—even the weather (which we all know is a gamble in the Midwest)

The result? A list full of towns with solid public schools, vibrant nightlife, historic architecture, and enough walkability to make your Fitbit proud. (Although, here in Rockford, "high walkability" sometimes means "I only dodged two potholes on my way to work.

Thirty Illinois communities made the cut thanks to booming new businesses. Others charmed their way in with small-town vibes and a whole lot of curb appeal.