The Rural Development program from the USDA can help people buy a home in the rural parts of the US, with little to no money down. Information can be found here: rdhomeloans.usda.gov/about.html Also, if you're interested in cheap and safe communities in other states, you might like these videos: Indiana: kzread.info/dash/bejne/ont6t7erncrQhLg.html Missouri: kzread.info/dash/bejne/oWxhlbt9ZrPNd9I.html Colorado: kzread.info/dash/bejne/dJ2DuM2Faai6gdY.html

@richardvogel6307

2 жыл бұрын

Letting people know this is a real public service Thank you 👍

@moontainbew5018

Жыл бұрын

I been to Chester about 3 times i really love the town. Showed different family this town and one twice due to didnt see the newer statues that was placed so went a 2nd time. With my mom and Niece. Their Place to eat is a cool cheap buffet, also there is a Fort nearby that looks like a form of a fort/castle look and also Modoc Rock Shelter have to google for directions. Also there is the 1st i think College in Shiloh Hill. Of IL also Kaskaskia is not far either, also the First Govenors house is also not far either. A really lovely town. One of my top 11 or so spots in IL i really enjoy. Far as towns its top 3 or 4.

@moontainbew5018

Жыл бұрын

also i bought a Whimpy and Peopeye stuffed at the Spinach Can Collectibles.

Finally, a video about best places to live in ILLNOIS that doesn't solely focus on the CHICAGO area. Good job!

@StuckInTheKernfield

Жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!

@stevestephens4106

7 ай бұрын

Chicago is a trash city...

@AndyBluebear-fi9om

10 күн бұрын

You mean a video that is actually somewhat positive lol

I love rural Illinois but I think the reason these places are so cheap is because there are so few jobs and amenities.

@repairdrive

7 ай бұрын

Exactly. Cheap to live there usually means no reason to live there.

@mkvenner2

7 ай бұрын

Yeah rural areas have a tendency to not mention that in their brochures.

@bamboozledgreatcrowd8982

7 ай бұрын

There are plenty of jobs. A lot of people travel from Wisconsin to work in Illinois.

@slidecontrol134

2 ай бұрын

@@bamboozledgreatcrowd8982 in Chicagoland.

Getting out of Chicago and going into these rural towns is like a breath of fresh air. I love the houses and small town look and feel. We recently stayed in Effingham for a couple of days and I seriously didn't want to go back to the city. Lol.

Some of you people say that Illinois is bad, but if the truth was to be told there's good and bad places everywhere in the United States you jus have to see for your self. Im from Illinois born and raised now I currently live in orange park Florida. Im ready to come back home for one reason its too dam hot. I love florida but i think this state is good for visiting not moving.

@maggiesfarm7970

7 ай бұрын

I'm raised in Illinois, too. Now I live in beautiful Idaho. I would never go back!

@QueenOfTheNorth65

7 ай бұрын

Exactly.

@underground9260

6 ай бұрын

Yep you’re right! I live in the metro east, and where I live it’s safe. I’m from Mississippi, and we have plenty of high crime areas In the state. From what I noticed, these people think that the governor is responsible for the crime rate in Illinois. But in Mississippi, they don’t blame the governor tho. Even tho the crime rate is higher (mainly homicides are doubled than what they are in Illinois)

@joycemyrick7053

4 ай бұрын

I'm from California and in June 2024 I'm moving to Chicago. I love Chicago.

@Sky-jq4xs

3 ай бұрын

Facts. I've been here all my life.

Moved from the Chicago suburbs to Sterling, which sits directly next to Rock Falls, and I have not looked back. It is so peaceful out here.

@Jennifer-bv8hr

18 күн бұрын

Warriors and the rockets!

Got my education in Illinois. Moved to California for senior year. Took chemistry and physics same year. Teacher said I was the first one to do that. Illinois education in the 60a and 70s was the best.

@seanimal_rex

8 ай бұрын

It still is! Particularly at the high school level

I've lived in Illinois my whole life and I love it here. I live right on the state line near Wisconsin and I love the Four Seasons in the midwest. I grew up in Rockford in the 60s and 70s and it was a great place to live. Now the crime is pretty bad. So I have moved out of Rockford into Machesney Park and I'm very happy here.

As an Illinois resident I appreciate what you are trying to do. However, you need more than just statistics. Visit the places. 5 of the locations you listed are absolutely unsafe, dying towns. You may be able to buy a cheap house there but you’ll never be able to sell it. And you’ll get next to no public services for your tax dollars.

@StuckInTheKernfield

Жыл бұрын

I've been to every one of these places.

@rockyzrockyx917

7 ай бұрын

@@StuckInTheKernfield No mention of Lanford, Illinois in this video? Why not?

@StuckInTheKernfield

7 ай бұрын

@rockyzrockyx917 I hear it's really gone downhill since Roseanne died.

The property taxes in Illinois are still insane no matter how cheap or safe.

@alexm3551

2 ай бұрын

Always complaining

I can’t describe my obsession with this topic. I am a Google Earth and Zillow addict. I’m not sure if it’s a hobby, a fantasy about moving somewhere new, or considering a place to retire to. I would love to see more videos like this. This video got an automatic like and subscribe from me, for sure!

@juliemanarin4127

7 ай бұрын

Like to Florida!

@Mochachocalatteyaya_

5 ай бұрын

Same! It’s nice reading a comment I can relate to.

@Zak_How

2 ай бұрын

I do this a few times a year. Maybe this time I'll actually move

You do super work . Upbeat and to the point . Really enjoyed time spent in. Rock Falls, Sterling and Dixon and other areas. Even w higher property taxes homes still look very affordable . The only idea I may have is when going over these top 9 or 10 is to maybe go into more details on employment . If it’s manufacturing maybe mention the name of top employers , how many maybe work there and what they do … I know. Some towns are too small for that !! Just an idea ! Thanks for the Great Work : )

Princeton, Il is a beautiful small town. West of Peru.

Great see other parts of Illinois besides Chicagoland amazing video great work👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

This is one of my favorite videos and thank you very much

Born and raised in Illinois. How I miss it.

@mkb7511

Жыл бұрын

So was I. Can I ask what you miss about that 💩hole? 🤣

@JohnH20111

Жыл бұрын

i don’t, because of the ‘Chicago Politics’ destroying the state

Would be interested in a series like this, starting with states bordering Illinois

@chuckinhouston9952

Жыл бұрын

If I lived in eastern Illinois, I would move to Indiana. If I lived in Western Illinois, I would move to Iowa.

@BusDriverRFI

Жыл бұрын

Iowa would be an awesome place to just die. But with all their problems with education, a bad place to raise a family.

@charlesandrews2360

7 ай бұрын

@@chuckinhouston9952 if I lived anywhere in Iowa or Indiana I would move to Illinois. Same goes for Missouri Wisconsin and Kentucky.

Charleston is a nice town. Went to school there.

Love when you find a good side to stuff! Excellent job as usual!

@StuckInTheKernfield

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! It's a shame that negative videos do better. If not for that, I would focus on the positives more than I do.

I grew up in Bethalto! I love it! Go Btown!

great video, ty

Flora is nice too. I paid $38,000 for a mild fixer upper in 2016.

@ThraxMan84

25 күн бұрын

Love Flora! Surprised it didn’t make the list!

Thank you for another interesting and educational video.

@StuckInTheKernfield

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Love this type of video! Keep up the great work!

@StuckInTheKernfield

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Will do!

@dedebones1967

Жыл бұрын

go to NEW york

Had a friend who bought a home with an indoor pool, she thought it would be greatly for entertaining friends and family. After she turned on the pool heater (which is needed year round) she decided to demo the pool and the structure around it. The taxes and energy cost associated with the pool were astronomical.

@paulstatz5188

Жыл бұрын

I know of a guy that bought a house with a Indoor pool His very young wife bitched about the maintenance so much he backfilled it and put a floor over it

@fleadoggreen9062

7 ай бұрын

Are there taxes on a in ground pool (cement pond) that’s outside in illinois? My wife is overweight but she does really like to swim , I’m trying to keep her around! She always uses a pool when we go on vacation but won’t go to a public pool by the house because she’s super self conscious

@erikriza7165

7 ай бұрын

@@fleadoggreen9062 my sister had an inground pool put in. Her taxes went up. it is in Illinois

Great video ty

@StuckInTheKernfield

7 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Thanks for this video, I found it very helpful. We are moving this summer and Illinois is on the top of the list. A few of the locations you mentioned are spots we've considered looking into after our last visit.

@StuckInTheKernfield

3 ай бұрын

I'm glad I could help!

Dang, Kewanee didn't make the list this time, but we are working on it.. When I retired, I choose to move to small town (BFE) Illinois from Philadelphia, Pa. Nothing like fresh air and listening to corn grow. Keep up the good work.

@StuckInTheKernfield

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I don't often hear about people leaving a major city to live in a rural area. Were you trying to get away from the crime, or just looking for a slower pace?

@MsAmelia65

2 жыл бұрын

How is the crime in Kewanee? I love Goods furniture!

@johnbaum8227

2 жыл бұрын

@@StuckInTheKernfield Born & raised in an Ohio farming community. Job took me to many small cities (including Canton IL) and major metro areas. I'll take slower, quieter, cheaper Midwest living.

@johnbaum8227

2 жыл бұрын

@@MsAmelia65 Speed limit is 35, no golf carts on state highways, and the parks close at 10 PM. Yes we have a little bit of crime, but the weekly police crime report is awful boring,

@allie3837

Жыл бұрын

Hog capital of the world!

Good stuff. I love my state. I'd rather be nowhere else unless it's somewhere chill like the carribbean 😅

I grew up around Spring Valley and Mendota. They are pretty downtrodden. Yeah, they're affordable. You get what you pay for.

@kkarllwt

2 ай бұрын

And most of your shopping will be a 20 mile drive down to the river.

AWESOME!!

I found a great deal and a great community in Byron Illinois with fantastic schools

@kkarllwt

2 ай бұрын

The tax on the nuc. plant paid for those schools. Every few years the plant talks about closing..If you can live with a 20 mile drive to buy most of the things in you life. The park district is good and there is Byron drag strip. Sunday,Sunday,sunday.

Grew up in granville right next to spring valley they also blew that bridge up made a new one lol

I was born and raised in Rock Falls. While I miss he quiet life there, the winters are to cold for my tastes.

In Freeport you can rent at $350 a month and up

@paulstatz5188

Жыл бұрын

I worked with a bunch of guys from Freeport and they said it was a crime ridden Shithole full of strungout junkies

Most of these small towns have no hospital or access to basic healthcare. It’s a problem across rural Illinois.

grew up in Rock Falls nothing bad to say about it.

I’m shocked that Leland, IL. didn’t make the list. It’s a better town than most featured here, and I can’t remember the last time I heard of a theft or burglary happening there.

I would love to see this for Indiana. My friend lives in Indianapolis and I know he wants to move.

One town close to home got on this list not too bad I love the lack of notoriety! Haha

Chester is a good choice. I'm a little surprised you didn't pick some of the "Little Egypt" towns until I remembered how much they suck.

Bloomington/Normal isn't bad either, could it use some improvement of course, but the bad thing is it's still Illinois! 👍

Grew up in Charleston!

Thank you for making this one. I'm interested in hearing your personal take on these places and more, since stats only do so much. Are you considering some more hands-on field research? That would definitely add a lot of punch to what you're offering.

@StuckInTheKernfield

2 жыл бұрын

When I get some time, I would like to do a series in which I visit every county in the state and cover some of the pros and cons to each one.

@jameschristiansson3137

10 ай бұрын

@@StuckInTheKernfield Visiting every county as you propose would be hard work but so worthwhile and interesting. Have you read or listened to Sarah Frey's book The Growing Season? Southern Illinois girl makes good. Quite a story.

I moved back to varna Illinois from fla to get away from the city and buy a house for 37k and it worth now 62k and I make more then in fla.

Illinois is great every where outside the cities

Fulton County, Canton IL at one time had 7 factories going, the I H plant closed in 1983, they were had 3 shifts going. I delivered beer for Ben Davia over holidays , our warehouse was out of Macomb, IL. We had McDonough and Fulton counties., Canton nd Macomb, both were ag first, industrial second, both had a high number smaller mfg plants, now all that industry is gone. I am Glad / Happy that are making comebacks. I had friends that their parents had small business, i.e electrical,. plumbing, and those young men left Fulton / McDonough Counties and started working in Nuclear Power Plants, they retired early, and died young.

My wife is from Mendota. It's a nice little town.

Of course Chester has low crime. They have a prison there. Nobody wants to wind up in the crossbar hotel.

@JohnH20111

Жыл бұрын

you mean ‘The Graybar Hotel’ or ‘The House of Many Windows’ ?

@jeffholloway7974

9 ай бұрын

Prisons are often good for a community, they have three shifts, and the customers enjoy the hotel so much they choose to keep coming back. I am a retired parole officer, and while I never directly worked in a prison, I have known several folks that have used the benefits to further their education with some starting as correctional officers and eventually becoming nurses and other types of professionals.

A concern for southern Illinois is the availability of power with the elimination of coal-fired plants.

@glennso47

2 жыл бұрын

In northern Illinois ComEd tried to eliminate the nuclear power plant in Byron. But fortunately lots of people protested and as of now the nuclear plant is still running.

@BusDriverRFI

Жыл бұрын

A friend of mine moved to southern Illinois and put in solar. He has no problem with power.

You should check out shelbyville Illinois we have great camping a great big lake some good places to work a great community 😃

@StuckInTheKernfield

7 ай бұрын

I'm familiar with Shelbyville. The reason I don't recommend it is that the median household income is about $21500 less than that of the state's, at $51,061. Also, the chance of becoming a victim of a crime is 1 in 44.

Have you done a video on Parke Co. Indiana

@StuckInTheKernfield

Жыл бұрын

Not yet.

Charleston is a college town and can get wild I wouldn’t wanna live there

Nice list. Where would Dixon fall in this list.

Hoosier here. Illinois looks a lot like Indiana. I love my lush green Midwest.

I really like your videos. I need to move to Illinois to be closer to my grandchild and I was told Dixon was a good place to check out. Would you agree? Thanks!

@Lonemacaroon

Күн бұрын

I agree don't move to the southwest side that's the most dangerous but the north side is the best I'm near Dixon so I have experience

FYI.. .Charleston has zero things to do and some things shut down in the area. in the summer. The few businesses that are there are constantly booked up because they have had the same customers for years and never grow their businesses to accomo new customers. Good luck getting a doctor appointment, vet appointment, car repair, salon appointment, any repair of any kind. The only major store is Walmart and during school season actual fights break out in the aisle with gangs of college kids.

Hey I grew up in bethalto!

@JohnH20111

Жыл бұрын

i grew up in the area and i recognize all the pictures of Bethalto in this video

Hey what are your opinions on Rantoul

Illinois would be a safe bet if it weren't for the INSANE TAXES!

@timothykeith1367

7 ай бұрын

Downstate property values are generally much lower than the national average. A rural property can have reasonable taxes

@bobcantstandzyobitz9778

7 ай бұрын

@@timothykeith1367 I'm at over 7k in property tax this year in Winfield IL for a townhouse. About 20 miles out of Chicago. DuPage county is a nice place, though.

@mkvenner2

7 ай бұрын

@@bobcantstandzyobitz9778well no one forced you to live in du page county you chose to live the county with some of the highest property values in the state.

More good smaller towns please❤😊

How about Carlyle? Have you talked about it in any of your other videos? Or Highland?

@StuckInTheKernfield

7 ай бұрын

I have covered Highland. I don't remember which video it's in, though.

@tomlib6794

7 ай бұрын

@@StuckInTheKernfield I just found it thank you. If you ever want to do a video on carlyle or that area it would be very interesting. I'm from Chicago originally and recently moved to carlyle.

Take Illinois. Please! As a famous comedian would have said.

Biggsville Illinois, the last crime we had here, the neighbours cat stole a rabbit out of his cage!! They put us on lock down 😅 Just joking it's a town of about 120.

Places in the metro east of St Louis are pretty safe. However not too diverse. We live within 10 miles of downtown St Louis and have access to all the hospitals and amenities without the crime. Property taxes are no different than the county of St Louis and there are other communities of less than 10 k which have that small town feeling.

@lisajames8653

7 ай бұрын

I’m in the Metro-East too. People get what they pay for w housing.

Charleston isn’t really where I’d live. Mattoon is its twin city and has a lot more getting invested into it and is going to grow quite a bit soon.

O'Fallon, Illinois?

I would greatly appreciate hearing about what the property taxes are like. I'm only familiar with the Chicago area where they are draining our pocketbooks and our blood. Have no idea how things are in the rest of the state.

@powlperc

Жыл бұрын

High and rising, generally

@BadBellyBlues

8 ай бұрын

2nd highest in the nation.

@janetcrowley2137

8 ай бұрын

Taxes are high, but not as bad as Chicago. I'm in Bond county (Greenville area) and they are fairly high. Go a few miles further east to Fayette county (Vandalia) and they aren't as bad. Vandalia does have some advantages. There's Walmart, Aldis, Rural King, the lumber yard, a hospital, hardware stores and several other businesses in town. It still has the advantages of low crime, affordable housing, and a low cost of living. Both Greenville and Vandalia are bordered by hwy 70 on the south and hwy 40 on the north. You can go to either St Louis or Effingham (another nice area) fairly easily. A few of my neighbors actually commuted to St Louis daily before they retired. I lived in St Louis before moving out here. The crime drove me out. I'd been robbed, burglarized, vandalized, and lost 2 cars. Out here I have everything I need. The biggest threat to my safety is the racoon raiding my garden. 🙂

What about Lincoln IL,Atlanta IL, Hayworth IL, just saying

I to live Illinois Chicago a good and best place in Illinois

Ugh!!! I hate Illinois!!! Miserable to live here!!

I was born in Illinois and cant wait for interest rates go down iam gone not looking back its to corrupt for me anymore

my package did not shrink. well it might be a little cold in here.

I have family in Champaign county. But they're stuck up and spoiled people

So, how's the springfield area ?? Good or bad ??

@StuckInTheKernfield

Жыл бұрын

I don't recommend it. I covered it in this video: kzread.info/dash/bejne/f2yKu5eJZ6rNnpM.html

As an old (very old) retiree and motorcycle rider, I have ridden through most of these towns plus many, many more. I'm puzzled why some small towns in Illinois are well kept and safe while others are so run down, dying and crime ridden. Could city government be the reason? Riding is done for 2023, but I'm sure I'll visit some of them again in 2024.

@Mochachocalatteyaya_

5 ай бұрын

The citizen/ residents can make it break a town.

@cleosmom

4 ай бұрын

Small town govt is so corrupt in Southern Illinois. Nothing but abandoned businesses and no jobs or new housing. Town government likes it that way. They're too lazy to even try to make it better.

my comment is what about jobs in these towns? Like Canton is out there. Where do people find jobs near these towns.

Iowa

any place outside of chicago, joliet, and peoria are usually safe

@paulstatz5188

Жыл бұрын

Rockford you forgot that Shithole

@Hugh_Manitee

7 ай бұрын

Add Danville and Rockford.

You could have made a video called one hundred ways to escape Chicago and live somewhere better :D

@StuckInTheKernfield

2 ай бұрын

Perhaps

👍👍

What about property taxes?

Yea Iowa Missouri Indiana Tennessee

Anywhere downstate.

@cleosmom

4 ай бұрын

Is horrible!!!

As someone who knows plenty of people in canton and lives near we call it cantucky cus all the drugs

Mt. Zion is mostly rural though. Lived in Bethalto. The public schools there are VERY guarded as to who they let in. Too many people fudge addresses to get their kids in because the surrounding areas (Alton schools had to close due to race riots and had to ban home team fans from high school games) have bad schools and higher crime rates. My brother lives in Charleston. He states it’s dying. Business closing left and right. My husband grew up near Chester(Cutler). It’s a sh*thole. I would suggest my Hometown, Shelbyville or Mt. Sterling. Mt. Sterling has a very low crime rate, good housing prices and several employers either in or near Mt. Sterling practically begging for workers. Jobs that pay very well even if you don’t have a college education.

I thought there was a prison in canton?

TLDR: Everywhere NOT the Chicago metro area.

Some of the comments in here are sad. It sounds like some of you all think rural Illinois is like the 1800s. Yes we do know what the internet is yes we have high-speed internet, we have indoor plumbing and electricity, and all of that. Please stop believing in stereotypes and thinking people in rural areas are dumb hayseeds with no knowledge of the modern world. You are way safer in a small town than any big city I can leave my doors open I can do a lot of things you would never think of doing in a bigger city in terms of safety. Property taxes and other taxes do however remain high in Illinois which affects the affordability but it's way worse in the larger cities in terms of cost of living.

okay but do any of these cities have fiber internet? My husband works from home and we want to move to Illinois but fiber internet is a must.

Hi. Is Carbondale safe?

@StuckInTheKernfield

2 ай бұрын

No, it isn't. Violent crime is 113% higher than the national average, and the chance of becoming a victim is 1 in 26.

@wafahabib314

2 ай бұрын

@@StuckInTheKernfield I applied for a PhD at South Illinois University Carbondale. Is it atleast safe around that area?

@StuckInTheKernfield

2 ай бұрын

One statistic I found says that there are 13.17 incidents related to crime per 1000 students at SIU, so I would say no.

What about Mount Carroll, Chadwick, Lanark, Shannon, Milledgeville, Thomson? I understand Savanna is not such a good place to live due to some crime.

@kicnbac

2 жыл бұрын

And Stockton

@glennso47

Жыл бұрын

@@kicnbac I think Northwest Illinois has lots of places that are cheap and safe.

@cuntdork

Жыл бұрын

Yes! Such a lovely area. Mount Carroll may be small but there's a lot to do, as well!

I live in ILLINOIS all my life born in ILLINOIS, am ready to get out of this place.

Yes the low housing prices might sound good but how are the salaries there? Considering how much you quote median income levels in other videos, you should here as well. If salaries are also low, you aren't really saving as much as you think you will be.

@StuckInTheKernfield

10 күн бұрын

I was making the assumption that someone in a position to buy a home would already be established within their career, so they would know what to expect as a salary in a comparable position to what they currently have. My question is what exactly is your motivation? You've left several negative comments about me and my videos between last night and today, which indicates that you have WATCHED several of them. If you hate them so much, why are you watching so many? You okay?

@AndyBluebear-fi9om

10 күн бұрын

@@StuckInTheKernfield I don't hate them, just commenting on certain issues I see. I am as okay as you are :) If you are taking them as negative, as opposed to constructive criticism, that's on you?

@StuckInTheKernfield

10 күн бұрын

You don't think "cheap" and "clickbaity" should be taken as an insult?

@AndyBluebear-fi9om

10 күн бұрын

@@StuckInTheKernfield I mean, it's KZread, 90% is clickbait lol

Ohio , Indiana , Missouri cheap rent country town

I lived in Canton for a few years... There's a reason everything is so cheap. Aka no one wants to live there

Maybe I should return to Illinois 😂

@StuckInTheKernfield

2 жыл бұрын

Nah, Maine has to be a nicer. ;-)

@williamba3755

Жыл бұрын

I really like Illinois .

@jodyculbertson5853

Жыл бұрын

Yes!!!

Wonder how the internet is, in these towns?

@mcooldude1

2 жыл бұрын

I live in one towns mentioned and internet is pretty good.

What's wrong with Roxana, Illinois?

@StuckInTheKernfield

7 ай бұрын

Besides the 19.1% poverty rate and low median household income?

@Snyder_The_Goat

7 ай бұрын

@@StuckInTheKernfield That's funny that how we have a low median household income and higher than average poverty rate, yet Wood River kids still call us rich.

With property tax rate where it is in ILL, there is no cheap places to live!

@Steve_Stowers

8 ай бұрын

I thought property taxes were determined at the local, not state, level.

@StuckInTheKernfield

8 ай бұрын

They are. Each county sets its own rate.