Dixon, IL

Set along a scenic bend of the Rock River in northwestern Illinois, Dixon is a welcoming small town of about 15,000 residents with a strong sense of community. The river runs right through town, providing scenic backdrop for morning walks, fishing, and weekend boating. Dixon is famously known as the Petunia Capital, and every spring volunteers line the main streets with thousands of pink blooms that give the neighborhoods a bright, well-cared-for feel.

The town is steeped in history, best known as the childhood home of Ronald Reagan, who famously spent his summers lifeguarding at Lowell Park. Today, that park provides locals with hundreds of acres of wooded trails, picnic areas, and riverfront bluffs. Downtown Dixon offers a charming mix of local diners, shops, and riverfront parks tucked beneath the historic Dixon Arch. With its relaxed pace, active community events like the annual Fourth of July Petunia Festival, and reasonable cost of living, Dixon offers an easygoing lifestyle about two hours west of Chicago.