The 3 Reasons Why You Should Be Putting Down Roots in Illinois

My entire life has been lived in the Midwest. While I will always love my original home state of Wisconsin, I've learned in the last eight years just how special Illinois can be. Beyond just my beloved home city of Chicago, Illinois, is the best place to live for so many more reasons than I could have imagined. From varied natural beauty, countless adventures, and unique lifestyle elements you may not have thought to name, Illinois is much more than just The Prairie State.

1. Weather, Climate, and Natural Beauty in Illinois

I can hear the nay-sayers now, bringing up the bitter cold of an Illinois winter. But there is a good reason I put the weather, climate, and natural beauty at the top of the list of reasons to live in Illinois. For one thing, the weather patterns can vary from the northern and southern portions of the state, so fellow snow lovers like myself can be cozy in lake-effect snowy Chicago, while others can retreat to the slightly warmer southern side.

For example, according to the Illinois State Climatologist, the days of brutal summer heat and winter cold vary significantly between the northern and southern parts of the state. Per their research, northern Illinois averages about 10 days at or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, while the southern half has about 40. At the same time, the southern side averages about 80 days at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and the north has 140 days.

This range of weather may also be why Illinois has such a variety of natural beauty to behold. From the rock formations at Garden of the Gods, the bluffs of Mississippi Palisades State Park, or the waterfalls at my favorite Starved Rock State Park, we are far more than a state full of prairies—although I love those too. There is plenty of nature here, just waiting to be explored.

2. Education and Family-Friendly Amenities

One of my favorite reasons to live in Illinois is the access to world-class educational and family-friendly activities. Chicago, on its own, is home to some of the best museums you could ask for, including The Field Museum, The Art Institute of Chicago, and the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. No matter the time of year, there is something to learn or see in the state's largest city.

Though Chicago is not the be-all and end-all of educational or family-friendly amenities. Elsewhere in the state, you'll find the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, Galena and the Ulysses S. Grant History Museum, and even the Illinois Route 66 Association Hall of Fame and Museum. While I don't have kiddos of my own (yet), I always have something to do when my friends and their little ones come to visit.

3. Unique Lifestyle Benefits of Illinois

We may not have the ocean or have as many lakes as neighboring Wisconsin, but that doesn't mean you can't live the beach life here. Illinois has a whopping 228 public beaches. From our sprawling, ocean-esque beaches along Lake Michigan here in Chicago to the petite Lake Bluff Beach and all of the ones in between, Illinoisians don't have to sacrifice a day at the beach just because we're in the Midwest. Out-of-state friends are often astounded at how plentiful our coastlines are, even without the coastline prices.

Whether you're looking to enjoy all four seasons, expand your educational horizons, or just soak up the sun on a gorgeous summer day, Illinois has it all—in spades. This state stole my heart years ago and continues to impress me day after day. I implore you to get to know it, I'm sure you'll find something to love, too. And before you hit the road, check out the Only In Your State AI Travel Planner to help get you started on your exploration of Illinois.