Charleston, IL

Charleston is a relaxed college town in east-central Illinois anchored by Eastern Illinois University. Campus life shapes much of the town's character, bringing sports, arts, and seasonal energy to the community without overwhelming its quiet Midwestern pace. Daily errands are quick and simple, with peaceful neighborhood streets branching out from the university and larger shopping centers just a short drive away in neighboring Mattoon.

ATTRBubba73 (Jud McCranie) / CC BY-SA 4.0

There is plenty to explore outdoors and around town on the weekends. Lake Charleston sits a couple of miles from the center of town, offering scenic trails for hiking, birdwatching, and kayaking. Downtown features a classic courthouse square with local diners and shops, and the fairgrounds host one of the oldest continuous county fairs in the state. Add in deep Abraham Lincoln heritage and the claim to fame as the original birthplace of Jimmy John's, and Charleston offers an easy, grounded place to settle down.