I want to move from Chicago to the South Suburban area of....Charleston Illinois. (unemployment, job)

[windycityangie]

Low crime, quiet place to live, cost of living and a good place for kids to grow up.

[windycityangie]

Very detailed and helpful information! Thank you so much (LINICX)!

[windycityangie]

Ok Rabflmom, thanks.

[windycityangie]

Good info, thanks madpaddy

[Drover]

I still can't figure out if you're interested in Charleston or the South suburbs, so I guess I'll answer just in case it's the former.

I spent 3.5 years in Charleston as a student and another year in neighboring Mattoon. I would have to get an extremely compelling job offer from the university to even consider moving a family down there. I'd probably commute from Champaign/Urbana instead, and I don't even like C-U that much. But that's how much I shudder at just the thought of ever living in Charleston or especially Mattoon again. There's just no vitality down there, and any intellectual curiosity you'd expect to pour from the university and influence the town culture just.... doesn't. It stops pretty much right at the university property line.

[urza216]

Originally Posted by linicx

IL Minimum wage in $8.50 but if you are an unskilled worker you'll most likely work part time (less than 40 hours) at Federal minimum wage with no health benefits. It is very common practice in grocery stores, nursing homes, retail box stores etc.. in rural towns. Low wages encourage petit crimes such as small value theft.

IL Min Wage is $8.25 not $8.50.

[AbbyJaneway]

Originally Posted by windycityangie

Low crime, quiet place to live, cost of living and a good place for kids to grow up.

Low crime and low cost of living yes, but as others have said, low wages to match. And that's if you can even find a job, the minimum wage jobs are taken by college students during the school year and high school kids during the summer. I was unemployed most of the 2 years I lived in Charleston because of this. McDonalds told me I was overqualified because I had a bachelors degree. Quiet depends on what part of town you live in. Avoid the area around the university north to Harrison Ave, east to Rt 130, south to Coolidge Ave, and west to University Dr. This is where the college kids live and they are LOUD.

[Drover]

Is it quiet north of Harrison? I know the downtown bar scene is much less active since the bar entry age was raised from 19 to 21, but it seems some of those bars still get pretty busy with college kids on weekends.

[urza216]

Originally Posted by AbbyJaneway

Low crime and low cost of living yes, but as others have said, low wages to match. And that's if you can even find a job, the minimum wage jobs are taken by college students during the school year and high school kids during the summer. I was unemployed most of the 2 years I lived in Charleston because of this. McDonalds told me I was overqualified because I had a bachelors degree. Quiet depends on what part of town you live in. Avoid the area around the university north to Harrison Ave, east to Rt 130, south to Coolidge Ave, and west to University Dr. This is where the college kids live and they are LOUD.

Two years of unemployment, huh? Did you try not mentioning your bachelor's degree when applying to somewhere like McDonalds?

[AbbyJaneway]

Originally Posted by Drover

Is it quiet north of Harrison? I know the downtown bar scene is much less active since the bar entry age was raised from 19 to 21, but it seems some of those bars still get pretty busy with college kids on weekends.

The "townie" bars didn't have a favorable reputation among the college kids I associated with. The bars near 4th & Lincoln are the hot spot. I made the mistake of living on 4th St, between Polk & Tyler. I thought I was far enough north, but I was surrounded by party kids. To me the atmosphere was noticeably calmer after crossing over the creek just north of Harrison. But yeah on Friday & Saturday nights it's probably wise to just avoid the entire town west of Rt 130. Far too many drunk drivers and drunk pedestrians.