If you’re considering a move to Galesburg, IL, you might be wondering whether it’s a good place to live. After all, it’s hard to know what a new place will be like until you arrive and get settled in.
But since 2020, more and more Americans have been moving to places like Galesburg. Affordable housing and lower cost of living are major factors. They’re attracting many residents to smaller suburban and rural communities, and away from big cities like Chicago, New York City and Philadelphia.
Since more Americans are able to work from home these days, many of us have increased flexibility when we’re looking for a place to live. You can often work for a company in a major city, but live hundreds of miles away.
If you’re making a list of possible small town options, should Galesburg be on it? Galesburg, IL is a good place to live because it combines many benefits of small-town living with the access to resources you’d find in a bigger city. Keep reading to discover some of the best reasons to live in Galesburg, IL!
Plenty of Parks and Outdoor Activities
If you like to spend time outdoors, Galesburg has plenty of opportunities. For those who like being around water, Lake Storey Park is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. There’s a nice sandy beach area, as well as showers so you can clean up before and after a swim. This is the perfect place for fishing, biking, or beach volleyball.
For seasonal fun, the 12-acre Rotary Park is a great choice. There’s a sledding hill and ice skating opportunities for the Illinois winter. You can also enjoy picnic shelters, walking paths, and a splash pad in warm weather! This park is found in a quiet, residential area, so it’s a great place to go when you want to relax.
These are just a couple of the many parks Galesburg has to offer. The city park system offers a nice variety of spots for taking kids to play, having a picnic, or walking in the sunshine.
Low Cost Of Living
Galesburg is well below the national average in terms of cost of living and housing costs. For many first-time homebuyers, this makes it a very attractive choice. Owning a home is one of the best financial decisions you can make to prepare for the future. In fact, a majority of Galesburg residents own their homes. It will be much easier to afford your first home in Galesburg than in a bigger city. If you’re moving to Galesburg from a more urban area, you may find that you’ll get a lot more square footage for the same price.
If home ownership isn’t right for you, Galesburg is also an attractive place to rent. You’ll get more square footage for your dollar than you would in a large city, and you’ll enjoy the peace of suburban neighborhood life.
Cost of living is about more than just home prices. In general, housing expenses here are a whopping 32% below the average cost across the country. Tired of high grocery prices? They’re slightly below the national average in Galesburg. Dealing with nonstop medical bills? Healthcare prices are also 14% lower than the national average.
Above Average Schools
Galesburg schools are known for their above-average curriculum and effective teaching. High school students report feeling safe at school and being well-prepared for college work. There are AP opportunities, a thriving sports program, and a variety of clubs and organizations to join. Teachers are consistently rated above average, and the student body is diverse.
A Variety of Backgrounds and Perspectives
Galesburg is a good place to live partly because there are so many different kinds of people. Residents say that there’s a good mix of all different ages living here. There are plenty of young families, but Galesburg is also known as a great place to retire, and it’s home to a good number of college students too.
There are a variety of different viewpoints and lifestyles represented in Galesburg, too. It’s all too easy to find a community where everyone thinks and looks alike, and settle down there. But most of the time, you can make more of a difference in the world when you’re surrounded by some people who share your viewpoints, and others who don’t.
Short, Easy Commutes
Galesburg is a small town, although it doesn’t feel rural or isolated. Most residents say their trip to work is short and uneventful. If you’re tired of battling traffic in Los Angeles or Chicago, or you’re fed up with taking public transit to work, living in a place like Galesburg can be a breath of fresh air.
On average, it takes a Galesburg resident 14.5 minutes to get to work from their home. There’s no need for crowded subways here!
Not Crowded, but Not Lonely
One of the best reasons to live in a small town is the general community atmosphere. Walking down the sidewalk, you won’t need to push through dense crowds. Your day-to-day experience when you’re driving down the roads, standing in line at shops, or filling up your gas tank will be quieter, less rushed, and more peaceful. Many people find that when they move to a small town for the first time, the air feels a little more clean.
However, Galesburg isn’t too sparsely populated either, so you won’t feel like you’re living in the middle of nowhere. Overall, Galesburg offers a good balance between quiet small town life and the feeling of belonging to a community.
Looking For a Church In Galesburg, IL?
If you’re moving to the area or you’re new to Galesburg, we would love to have you join us here at Harmony Baptist Church. We are a welcoming congregation that keeps our focus on the basics of the Christian faith: loving God, loving others, and making disciples. You’ll find community, Christian fellowship, and practical Bible teaching here at Harmony Baptist Church. Want to check out a service? Visit our Contact page to find out how.
