2 Small Towns in Central Illinois are where you should Retire

If you HAVE to retire in the Land of Lincoln instead of Florida, Arizona, South Carolina, or Texas, ( and that's a big IF...) experts say you should check out these two small towns in West Central Illinois as retirement options. Here are the details...

The experts at World Atlas just released a list called The 9 Budget-Friendly Towns in Illinois for Retirees, with Macomb and Jacksonville both making the list! The other towns on the list include Mendota, La Salle, Freeport, Gilman, Millstadt, Taylorville, and Arcola.

What do they have to say about Macomb?

"Macomb is home to Western Illinois University, which promises retirees adult learning programs while elevating the local arts and culture scene...The Macomb Park District has secluded open spaces with lovely trails, and the Macomb Country Club hosts fun golfing sessions. It takes around $116,000 to invest in a decent home in Macomb, cheaper than the state's median housing rate."

And what do they have to say about Jacksonville?

"Jacksonville's impressive array of attractions and experiences means retirees can look forward to something fun to do throughout the year...it costs about $155,000 to buy a home in Jacksonville, cheaper than most towns in Illinois."

To learn more about why they say Jacksonville and Macomb are good options for retirees, and to see the complete list of towns for retirees in Illinois, click here!

Did they get it right?

I will say that Jacksonville makes a lot of sense especially because it is close to Springfield, less than 30 minutes away, so you can get to everything that Springfield has to offer including the airport there. Macomb does have Western Illinois that will provide lots for elderly people, and while it is remote, it is a quaint little town with everything you'd need and does have the Amtrak train to take to Chicago to have access to the big city. I get why both of these towns made the list, would I choose to retire there?...no.