This Illinois Town Is One Of The Most Peaceful Places To Live In The Country
By Linze Rice|Published May 15, 2023
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Linze Rice
Author
Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
Illinois is full of amazing small towns worth exploring, whether it’s a quick day trip or a weekend getaway. Many of these destinations also make for wonderful places to set down roots and call home. Growing up in a small town myself, I can appreciate the charm and history that these places often hold — offering a slower, more peaceful way of life. If you’re looking for countryside sunsets, local shopping, fresh food, and scenery straight out of a painting, then you’ll see why so many consider Princeton to be one of the best places to live in Illinois.
Located in Bureau County in Northern Illinois, Princeton has a population of about 7,800 residents, making it the perfect size for a vibrant local economy while happily coexisting with farmland.
North Main Street, N Main St, Princeton, IL 61356, USA
The town is ideally located for those looking to stay close (but not *too* close) to Chicago or the Quad Cities. It's situated along I-80 about two hours southwest of Chicago and can be accessed via an Amtrak train, which stops at the city's historic depot. Other major roadways run through the city, like U.S. Route 34, U.S. Route 26, and U.S. Route 6.
Amtrak Princeton Station, 131 E Railroad Ave, Princeton, IL 61356, USA
Shopping is a breeze here, with Princeton's historic Main Street offering an array of local businesses that specialize in everything from wines to children's clothing.
North Main Street, N Main St, Princeton, IL 61356, USA
Locals know that the place to eat is at Myrtle's Pies, 927 N. Main St., a family-owned bakery that creates iconic confections in every flavor imaginable.
The town is also known for its unique covered bridges — the Red Covered Bridge and Captain Swift Covered Bridge — which are two of the remaining five covered bridges in the state. The Red Covered Bridge dates back to 1863, while the Captain Swift Covered Bridge is Illinois' only two-lane covered bridge. Imagine taking these on your way home from work.
Princeton also has a rich architectural history, with many ornate homes and buildings dating back to the 1800s. One popular home is Greenwood Cottage, an 1852 Gothic Revival home distinguished by its gingerbread fascia detailing on the front porch. It has since been added to the National Register of Historic Places.
In this quaint town, you'll also find the 50-foot-tall Bureau County Soldiers and Sailors Memorial on Main Street across from the county courthouse. Set against a field of green grass and bushy trees, the monument serves as yet another small-town reminder of its storied past.
Do you think Princeton is one of the best places to live in Illinois? What’s your favorite thing about small-town living? Tell us in the comments! Learn more about Princeton by checking out the City of Princeton website as well as a video from the Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce below!
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