Braidwood, IL

Braidwood is a quiet, tight-knit community of about 6,200 residents, situated roughly an hour southwest of Chicago along Interstate 55 and historic Route 66. The town got its start in the 1860s when a local farmer struck coal while digging for water, sparking a boom that eventually led to naming the area after mining supervisor James Braidwood. Today, it offers a relaxed, small-town atmosphere with plenty of open space, scenic prairie preserves, and easy access to fishing and boating at nearby Braidwood Lake.

ATTREric Friedebach / CC BY 3.0

For families moving to the area, local students attend schools in either the Reed-Custer or Coal City districts, depending on which side of the county line they live on. Neighborhoods feature relatively affordable homes with a laid-back feel, while community parks, everyday amenities, and Route 66 icons like the Polk-a-Dot Drive-In add plenty of local charm. Direct access to Interstate 55 also makes it simple for commuters to reach Joliet, Wilmington, and the wider Chicago area.