St. Charles, Illinois

St. Charles is another charming, small, American-feeling town that's also considered a suburb of Chicago, being located about 40 miles west of the big city. With a relatively small population of just over 30,000 people, you might be surprised to know that the city of St. Charles offers its residents and visitors a number of dining, entertainment and recreational attractions, as well as is a great place for families to live.

Situated in Fox River Valley with the Fox River running through it, St. Charles' slogan is the apt "Pride of the Fox." Town pride permeates every inch of this well-kept city, from its respect for the city's rich history (which includes being a stop on the Underground Railroad) to the care and services the city provides for its residents.

St. Charles offers jobs for those looking to stay in the city, but the city's proximity to Chicago helps out in that arena as well. Those looking for fun and excitement here have a lot of options. For food, this small city offers a surprising variety of choices like Al Capone's Hideaway, Harvest, Jambalaya, Onesti's Dinner Club, Odyssey Mediterranean, Town house Café and Hotel Baker's Rox City Grill, along with a smattering of chain restaurants. Theater lovers will enjoy several spots to watch their favorite plays and musicals like Chicago's Noble Fool Theatricals, Steel Beam Theatre, Arcada Theatre and the 1,000 seat Norris Cultural Arts Center. Other entertainment options include taking a paddlewheel boat cruise, playing mini golf or renting bikes, canoes, pedal boats and kayaks! There's a Heritage Center, lots of local restored homes and an 1840's living history farm, too.

The streets of St. Charles are wide, tree-lined and populated with good-looking homes, apartment complexes and families. You won't have too much trouble finding an affordable rentable place to live here: prices range from $625 a month to $1600 a month with a variety of large apartment complexes, smaller apartments, condos, duplexes and houses. St. Charles also offers a limited bus service for residents with a couple of lines. Overall, a great place to raise a family!