If you're a first time homebuyer, you'll want to look at all of the characteristics of Illinois cities before you decide where to actively look for your dream home. One of the big, buzzword phrases in finding your perfect contentment is "having balance". So, of course, you'll want the city that offers the best work-life balance. That's a little trickier to figure out than some other things. For instance, if you wanted to know which areas have the highest median income, there's a concrete list of that statistic. You can easily find the places with the most people who obtain higher education, the most registered democrats, or the areas that cater to pets. All of those lists are easily ascertainable because the statistics clearly show them. We've done lists of the best towns for families that account for a few things, including school district performance, park districts, and other amenities. Finding the cities with the best work-life balance can be hard to narrow down because not everyone has the same definition of what that means.
In an abstract way, a work-life balance would mean that you're able to devote yourself to work without sacrificing enjoyment in your down time. One of the factors might be your commute time, because the less time you're stuck in traffic, the more time you have to spend on enjoyable pursuits. Another key indicator would be the number of amenities in your area. While one person may relish spending time at the gym or taking art courses, an area that has easy access to a lot of different activities is more likely to provide a better work-life balance to a greater number of residents.
We're going to leave Chicago off of this entirely and there are a number of reasons for that. While it is certainly possible to have a work-life balance within the city boundaries, and many young professionals and families would never leave their urban oasis willingly, not every segment of the population there fits the work-balance equation. With the higher prices in the city, more families find themselves on a tight budget or working longer hours. We're not at all suggesting that you stay away from the city if you'd love the atmosphere, make a decent living, and will be able to enjoy it. We will say that there are some suburbs that offer a quick commute to all of the things you love and better value in homes.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Hinsdale is a suburb in DuPage County, just west of Cook County. There are a number of reasons Hinsdale makes our list. This suburb has the lowest violent crime rate in the state and the third highest median family income. Married couples in Hinsdale also enjoy the third lowest divorce rate in Illinois. The low number of divorces are a good sign that there is a work-life balance in this area. For those who enjoy the culture of downtown Chicago, Hinsdale is conveniently located to easily commute to the city within 20 minutes, by car or train. The schools in this area are excellent and there are a great number of parks, activities, and amenities close to home.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Morton might be a town you've never heard of, though, it has gotten a bit of press in the last few years. In 2013, Family Circus Magazine named Morton one of the best towns for families in a top ten list across the nation. Morton also ranks exceptionally well in affordability with great education and lots of amenities. There are job opportunities in Morton with companies such as Caterpillar and Libby's and the unemployment rate is far below the state average. Morton is in central Illinois and decidedly far more rural than near city suburbs.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Located in St. Clair County, O'Fallon is in southern Illinois and is considered part of the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area. O'Fallon makes our list because it has the second most affordable housing in the state with one of the highest median family incomes. That makes O'Fallon a much less stressful place to live. It's close to Scott Air Force Base and there's an influx of military personnel who reside in the area, including military families and retirees. Overall, O'Fallon offers an excellent work-life balance with plenty of amenities and great education.
Source: wikimedia.org
Naperville makes our list for a number of reasons. They boast the fourth highest median family income and they also rank fifth in the state for the number of attractions located within town. Travel time to work is also a factor, the largest segment of the population can make it to work in 20-25 minutes and the unemployment rate is well below the state average. Naperville has been given a number of accolades in the media over the years, including best place to raise a family, safest place to live, and best location for retirees, to name a few.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Deerfield is just north of Chicago in Cook and Lake counties. Deerfield can boast a great school system, high median family income, affordable housing, and a lower crime rate than the state average. It's also located within easy traveling distance to downtown Chicago and any of the cultural attractions of the city are only a quick train ride away.
These five cities made the top of our list for work-life balance. If your goals are to have the best family friendly amenities, affordable housing, and more suburban or rural environment, one of the places on our list may well be the perfect home for you!
