2023 Safe Places to Live in Illinois

• Suburb of Chicago, IL

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  Rating 4 out of 5  8 reviews

Current Resident: What a wonderful place to live! The town is a pleasant place to ride bikes and visit local shops, the library, grocery, pharmacy, the village restaurant, which are all run by friendly locals. Easily accessible and a small town feel, only 15 minutes away from the city of Chicago. I'm so glad we moved here!... Read 8 reviews

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• Population 5,853

• Suburb of Chicago, IL

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  Rating 4.01 out of 5  220 reviews

Current Resident: Mount Prospect is a great place to settle down and is very family-friendly. The neighborhoods are quiet and safe and the schools in the area are great education-wise. There is easy access to restaurants, shopping areas, and recreational facilities such as parks. The commuter rail is located in the downtown area, therefore allowing easy access to transportation to and from the city of Chicago. In addition to the train station, downtown Mount Prospect also includes the library, the city hall, and a mix of local businesses and commercialized businesses. Overall, it is definitely a nice suburb to reside in, however, diversity (specifically in schools) could be improved.... Read 220 reviews

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• Population 56,510

• Suburb of Chicago, IL

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  Rating 4.04 out of 5  125 reviews

Current Resident: Park Ridge is a very family friendly and safe neighborhood! Neighbors are nice and friendly with little disturbances. Schools are kept well and students are given amazing educational opportunities. I've found the neighborhood to have plenty of shops and restaurants within close proximities to housing. It's about 20 minutes from O'Hare international airport and about 30 minutes from Downtown Chicago! Has many travel accommodations including a Metro Station uptown and hotels for quick travel plans. There are accommodations for the disabled as well which is very nice. Park Ridge is a very inclusive neighborhood and I would recommend living here.... Read 125 reviews

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• Population 39,562

• Suburb of Chicago, IL

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  Rating 3.93 out of 5  30 reviews

Current Resident: I love my little town, I wish nothing would ever change about it. I grew up here and very fond memories of riding my bike around with my friends, grabing food in the "down town" area, and watching olympic skiers at the Norge Ski Jump! Now that I'm older the 21 I make new memories at King Pin Lanes which is a bar and bowling ally. It is an old town with a lot of character that I feel proud to be apart of.... Read 30 reviews

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• Population 4,710

• Suburb of Chicago, IL

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  Rating 3.95 out of 5  19 reviews

Current Resident: Nice, small welcoming community with great nearby food and social places to hang out in. Amazing nearby schools and safe neighborhoods make this place a dream to live in.... Read 19 reviews

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• Population 9,852

• Neighborhood in Chicago, IL

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  Rating 4.36 out of 5  85 reviews

Former Resident: Lincoln Park is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Chicago. On top of being one of the safest places in the city, it is also filled with nightlife activities and restaurants that everybody enjoys. I attended Lincoln Park High School, which was a great experience. The people in the school and around the neighborhood are so friendly along with a host of social spots I used to go to with my friends. Unlike lots of other neighborhoods in this city, I felt safe for a greater portion of the time I resided here. With attractions like the Lincoln Park Zoo, the bike trail, and a rich collection of architecture from old Chicago culture, it was hard for me not to like it. Overall, for anybody that's a tourist or a Chicagoan who hasn't been to Lincoln Park, I'd advise anybody to take a trip here.... Read 85 reviews

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• Population 45,359

• Suburb of Chicago, IL

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  Rating 4.33 out of 5  36 reviews

Current Resident: Itasca is a very lovely little town. It's extremely safe and the schools here are wonderful. It has a train station so commutes to Chicago and other towns are pretty easy. There's plenty of local businesses and restaurants too. The people here are lively, friendly, and welcoming. It's full of fun activities for everyone! It's really a great place to live.... Read 36 reviews

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• Population 9,623

• Suburb of Chicago, IL

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  Rating 3.91 out of 5  201 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived here for 26 years! We purchased with the intent to flip our house and move elsewhere. The more we experienced the area, the more we liked it. We are walking distance to town, the train to Chicago, parks, good schools. We are minutes from major highways and shopping. O'Hare airport is a 20 minute drive. The community is very diverse culturally. There are community festivals, a great park district with really nice facilities, and a responsible village government. We've been really happy with the schools and the opportunities our kids have had. It's kind of expensive to live here and in the Chicago area in general, but we have very enjoyable lives. My kids feel that it's boring here :) but that's because they don't know what boring is!... Read 201 reviews

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• Population 67,754

• Suburb of Chicago, IL

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  Rating 4 out of 5  62 reviews

Current Resident: I would not say that Brookfield has a sparse suburban feel at all. I like that everything’s within an easy walking distance. Train, downtown, 8-corners, Tischler’s, Mary’s Morning Mix up, the library, bars, ice cream shop, etc. It’s very convenient and retains a “city neighborhood” feel that won’t cause any culture shock if you’re looking to move out of the city to start a family or for whatever reason. Easy train ride to Chicago. Can get a good deal on a house for your money and the school’s are great. Town is sandwiched between Riverside and La Grange but is still not snobby somehow, pretty down to earth and educated people live here. My family has lived in this town since the early 1900’s.... Read 62 reviews

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• Population 19,517

• Town in Illinois

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  Rating 3.97 out of 5  212 reviews

Current Resident: I think my parents got really lucky when they picked our neighborhood to move to when I was little. With a great elementary, middle, and high school district and a diverse group of friendly neighbors, I grew up in this quiet suburban area without much distraction. I participated in endless after-school programs, spent weekends poring over books in the library, and go to spend time with friends outdoors and at the movies, mall, and cafes. There is a lot to do and buy that is still affordable here, even with the nearby city prices skyrocketing recently. It is a perfect place to raise children. However, as a young adult just starting a career, I'm not sure if I'm going to stay here my entire life; it does feel like things are slowing down here, families moving out once their children graduate high school and most of my friends living in the city. If you're very family-oriented with young children and want safety, though, it's a great town that I wouldn't overlook.... Read 212 reviews

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• Population 52,153

• Suburb of Chicago, IL

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  Rating 3.92 out of 5  170 reviews

Current Resident: I moved to Gurnee when I was young and have been living here since. My experience was great! The schools in Gurnee are great and I had a great experience in Highschool. The population diversity is pretty average, so it would be nice to see more different cultures in my community, but I can see that we are slowly reaching that goal. Living here is nice but it can get pretty expensive. Rent for apartments is pretty high, even for one-room apartments. I think that should change. As for commuting, Gurnee is close to many highways so commuting to school and work is easy. Of course, there are normal traffic jams in the morning and afternoon since people are usually on their way to work. Gurnee also offers many average restaurants, different stores, and many fast food options. It also has many forms of entertainment too, such as Six Flags, Marcus Cinema, Gurnee Mills, and more. There is always something to do where you can hang out with friends or with family.... Read 170 reviews

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• Population 30,826

• Suburb of Chicago, IL

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  Rating 4.5 out of 5  12 reviews

Niche User: Countryside is near a lot of stores, restaurants, etc. and the people in the area appear to be nice which is a bonus. You can walk to different shopping areas and such. Finn Park is a nice place to hang out with a playground, tennis courts, a walking path, baseball fields, a skatepark, and so on. Plus, in the summer they have fun events at the park such as the concert in the park each week.... Read 12 reviews

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• Population 6,354

• Suburb of Chicago, IL

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  Rating 4.16 out of 5  64 reviews

Current Resident: Moved here in 2020. Seven Bridges area. Perfect location. Great place to leave and easily enjoy all the indoor and outdoor activities that the Western suburbs have to offer. All at a significantly cheaper price, than say a Naperville address. In fact, it was $60,000 cheaper for me….for the exact same newly built home! Easy access to everywhere. Much easier to travel from if you work east compared to living on the west side of Naperville because you avoid all that traffic.... Read 64 reviews

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• Population 34,161

• Suburb of Chicago, IL

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  Rating 4.13 out of 5  104 reviews

Current Resident: Geneva is a very quiet, family-friendly town. It's the kind of place where you feel safe to leave your doors unlocked and walk around town even at night. Third street and State street are the highlights of Geneva shopping with lots of cute little shops and restaurants. The schools are excellent with good facilities and teachers. There is a disappointing lack of diversity, a majority of the town is white and conservative with only a handful of minority residents. Prices are a little steep mostly because this is a tourist town.... Read 104 reviews

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• Population 21,472

• Neighborhood in Chicago, IL

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  Rating 4.68 out of 5  25 reviews

Current Resident: We love living here. Andersonville is great, especially if you are starting a family or are looking for a slower paced city life. There is enough stuff to do, good restaurants, and its a super safe neighborhood. I love all the antique shops. The antique shops are actually the main reason I wanted to live in this neighborhood. It can feel a little suffocating though. Before moving here we lived in both Old Town and Printers Row. There is obviously much more to do in the downtown areas. It's a chore (about 45+ minutes) to get downtown. If any of your friends/dates live in the city, there is not much chance of them coming to visit. It can be pretty isolating. The biggest shock for me was the lack of dog parks. I would have never thought that downtown would have had more available dog parks per square mile than up here. Either way, you'll like living here. It's beautiful and quiet, just be prepared for feeling a little out of the loop.... Read 25 reviews

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• Population 6,857

• Suburb of Chicago, IL

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  Rating 3.77 out of 5  26 reviews

Current Resident: As a current resident I would say as small as Orland Hills is, it is a close knit town. Most of the people in the area are nice as can be and get along well. During the summer time the party in the park that they host is the absolute best to go to and have fun!... Read 26 reviews

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• Population 6,914

• Suburb of Chicago, IL

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  Rating 4.31 out of 5  93 reviews

Current Resident: Saint Charles is a nice suburb located just 42 miles west of Chicago. The schools are highly rated, two of them within the D303 district earning a 2022 National Blue Ribbon. It's a very safe town to live in and is one that many choose to move to when trying to start a family. All of this being said Job opportunities are only average, with many choosing to commute to the city daily. The lack of diversity within the community is another downside which can make it hard for students to see perspectives outside of their own experiences.... Read 93 reviews

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• Population 32,908

Current Resident: We love the area. Low crime rate and great for families. We moved to Carterville Specifically for the school district. We love the area, our neighborhood is very nice and quiet. Love the small town feel!... Read 25 reviews

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• Population 5,839

• Neighborhood in Chicago, IL

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  Rating 3.4 out of 5  15 reviews

Niche User: I love where I live. It is perfect for me and the time in my life I am in.... Read 15 reviews

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• Population 11,841

• Suburb of Chicago, IL

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  Rating 4.09 out of 5  82 reviews

Nearby Resident: Lake Zurich, this quaint suburb situated in the northern region of Illinois, is a hidden gem with a stunning lakefront and a hospitable community. The village provides an exceptional standard of living, with top-rated schools, a variety of housing options, and convenient access to shopping and entertainment. For those who love the outdoors, there are endless possibilities, from indulging in the scenic views and water sports on the lake to exploring the numerous parks and forest reserves nearby. The village hosts several community events, including the highly anticipated annual Alpine Fest and farmers' market. To sum it up, Lake Zurich is the ultimate spot for anyone looking to experience a peaceful and family-centric lifestyle.... Read 82 reviews

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• Population 19,807

• Suburb in Illinois

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  Rating 4.23 out of 5  22 reviews

Current Resident: Small town feel with all of the amenities of a metropolitan area. Great parks, shopping and schools!... Read 22 reviews

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• Population 13,532

• Suburb of Chicago, IL

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  Rating 3.96 out of 5  104 reviews

Current Resident: Batavia is a family-focused town that offers everything from a downtown river walk lined with local businesses and restaurants to an IMAX theater and Funway Amusement center with bowling, mini golf, go karts, laser tag, and more. There are plenty of bicycle shops to accommodate those choosing to ride the prairie path and kayak rentals for those who prefer to travel the Fox River. There is never a dull moment in Batavia!... Read 104 reviews

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• Population 26,261

• Suburb in Illinois

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  Rating 4.22 out of 5  99 reviews

Current Resident: The 3rd oldest city in Illinois! Edwardsville is constantly growing everyday. New businesses, new buildings. Lots of good food, a few craft breweries. Edwardsville has that small town feel with big city amenities. Even if you're just driving through, Edwardsville will be a place that you remember and eventually visit again.... Read 99 reviews

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• Population 25,236

• Neighborhood in Chicago, IL

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  Rating 4.14 out of 5  70 reviews

Current Resident: For those looking for big-city excitement, look elsewhere. For those who have had their fill and want to stay in the City, Beverly is an excellent choice. Although not perfect, the neighborhood, in my view, approaches the American ideal. Racial (and, to a marginal extent, economic) diversity; expressive residential architecture (read, not suburban soullessness); great public transit for downtowners; security; opportunities for intellectual, spiritual, artistic, and physical growth; community and community pride; nature. Per the neighborhood's political predilections, there is a healthy mix: considering the political divides in this country, it's not necessarily a bad thing that the two opposing sides have to live, work, and play together. That's kind of the whole idea undergirding democracy, isn't it?... Read 70 reviews

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• Population 19,919

• Suburb of Chicago, IL

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  Rating 4.05 out of 5  37 reviews

Current Resident: Everyone in the community is so caring and sociable. Parks and recreation is very clean, new, and accessible around the suburb. Every summer theres a carnival that almost everyone in the city attends. The township is able to get news out to community members very quickly. The neighborhood is safe. I have never felt uncomfortable in Lincolnwood. The school is really amazing. They offer a good range of classes and help k-8 students adjust to high school. Teachers and staff members at Lincoln Hall have always been very engaging with students and student families.... Read 37 reviews

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• Population 13,358