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Western Illinois - Great River Country
Retirement Living In Western Illinois - Great River Country
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Area Description
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Our regional center is Galesburg, IL, a city of 34,000. It is the county seat of Knox County and a region of some historical significance. Galesburg was founded in 1837 by a group of Presbyterians from upstate New York. They also founded a manual labor college that became Knox College. Knox is one of the the top 11 colleges in all of Illinois according to Princeton Review's list of best 379 colleges in the United States.
Knox is the site of the 5th Lincoln-Douglas Debate as well the birthplace of Lincoln Biographer and poet Carl Sandburg. Lincoln framed his debate for emancipation at the Galesburg debate. Galesburg and Knox College also played a significant role as a safe harbor for escaped slaves on the Underground Railroad. Knox College welcomed black students to study for degree. United States Senator Hiram Rhodes Revels, of African American descent, studied at Knox in 1856 and 57.
Galesburg is a major railroad hub for Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad seeing over 150 freight trains a day. It is also a quiet-zone city with fewer and fewer train whistles being blown each day.
Healthcare in our region is second to none. Galesburg has two major hospitals as well a VA clinic and two cancer care centers. There are several world class medical facilities within a 200 mile radius as well.
Our community is 45 miles from the Peoria Metropolitan area and 45 miles the Quad City Metropolitan Area. We are less than 3 ours from Chicago and about 4.5 hours from St. Louis.
Includes Cities/Towns: Abingdon, East Galesburg, Galesburg, Knoxville, Monmouth.
Region Characteristics
Urban / City
Rural
Nearby military base
Suburban / Large Community
College Town
Lively downtown business center
Commuter Town
Coastal community
Area Amenities
Things to Do, Recreation & Fitness
Access To Green Space
Fairs & Festivals
Outdoor Concerts
Bike Paths
Fishing
Running Paths
Beach
Golf Course
Shopping
Boating
Hiking
Skiing
Bowling
Hunting
Sporting Events
Casino
Indoor Swim Facilities
Tennis
Continuing Education
Lake
State Park
Dining/Nightlife
Movie Cinemas
Walking Paths
Exercise Facilities
National Park
Our community is host to several events throughout the year including Railroad Days, the National Stearman Fly In, The Rootabaga Jazz Festival, and the Carl Sandburg Days Festival. We are rich in the arts with a thriving community art center, a nationally recognized symphony orchestra and a nationally recognized professional choral group and the oldest active theatre group in Illinois. Galesburg was designated by Congress as the site of the National Railroad Hall of Fame due to open before 2020. There are several outdoor festivals including Taste of Galesburg, Cafe in the Park, Concert on the Lawn, the Galesburg Balloon Festival, Knox County Scenic Dr. and Christmas at Walnut Grove Farm.
Galesburg has several wonderful dining options from homestyle to gourmet as well as chain restaurants. In 2013, "The Daily Meal" named Galesburg as one of the top 11 small towns in America for dining.
Cultural Activities
Arts
Lectures
Museums
Ballet
Library
Symphony
Concerts
Live music series
Theater
Films
Knox-Galesburg Symphony has 6 concerts a year, Prairie Players Civic Theatre has 3-4 performances each year, Galesburg Community Chorus has 2-3 performances per year.
Knox College, Carl Sandburg College have several musical and cultural events each year.
Galesburg Civic Art Center has Art Shows and openings all year long.
Galesburg Railroad Museum, Discovery Depot Children's Museum, Carl Sandburg Birthplace State Historic Site has the Song Bag Concert Series, Bishop Hill State Historic Site has numerous musical and cultural events each year.
Fat Fish Pub has 10 or more world renowned award winning blues acts each year.
They are also home to the Knox Jazz Combo every Thursday night throughout the year and the Rootabaga Jazz Festival held each year in April.
Public transportation
Bus
Rental cars
Train
Nearby major airport
Subway
VA transportation
Nearby cruise terminal
Taxi
We are an Amtrak community and the gateway west for rail passengers with service all the way to California. Over 100,000 passengers a year board in Galesburg with 4 trains a day to and from Chicago. Our Amtrak station also serves as a Trailways Bus Station. The Galesburg Municipal Airport has Jet-Air, Charter Jet Service and accommodations for individual aircraft. The Quad City International Airport is 45 minutes away. The Peoria International Airport is also only 45 minutes away.
Medical Facilities
Major Hospital
Wellness center
VA Hospital
Galesburg Cottage Hospital, St. Mary Medical Center, Cancer Treatment Center of Western Illinois, Illinois Cancer Center, Galesburg VA Clinic, Galesburg Wellness Center, over 80 doctors offices.
What Will The Climate And Weather Be Like If I Retire In Western Illinois - Great River Country?
For those of you that retire in Western Illinois - Great River Country, you will enjoy warm summers, a cool fall, a cold winter and a temperate spring!
Winter temperatures are cold with averages in the mid 20's and highs in the mid 30's. Nights are cold with lows in the upper 10's. You may have a few days below 0°. Expect some rainy days in the winter. Assume a few days of snow with a lot of days with snow remaining on the ground.
If the weather in the spring is too cold for the outdoors, enjoy some indoor activities in Western Illinois - Great River Country such as a movie, a visit to a museum, dining, nightlife or some shopping. Spring temperatures are cool with averages in the low 50's and highs in the low 60's. Nights are cold with lows in the upper 30's. Expect a lot of rainy days in the Spring, great for a day of shopping in Western Illinois - Great River Country!
Summertime in Western Illinois - Great River Country is a great time to enjoy your retirement with a day at the lake, an outdoor concert, a local festival or other outdoor activity! Summer temperatures are mild with averages in the low 70's and highs in the low 80's. Nights are cool with lows in the low 60's. Expect a few days above 90°. Humidity may feel "sticky" with muggy evenings. Expect some rainy days in the summer.
If you retire in Western Illinois - Great River Country, you can look forward to fall weather activities such as biking on a bike path, hiking, enjoying a walking path and more! Fall temperatures are cool with averages in the low 50's and highs in the low 60's. Nights are cold with lows in the low 40's. Expect some rainy days in the fall.
Monthly Temperature Ranges
Month
Low
Avg
High
Jan
14
F°
22
F°
31
F°
Feb
18
F°
27
F°
36
F°
Mar
28
F°
38
F°
49
F°
Apr
40
F°
51
F°
62
F°
May
50
F°
61
F°
72
F°
Jun
61
F°
71
F°
81
F°
Jul
64
F°
74
F°
84
F°
Aug
62
F°
73
F°
83
F°
Sep
53
F°
65
F°
76
F°
Oct
42
F°
53
F°
64
F°
Nov
30
F°
40
F°
49
F°
Dec
18
F°
27
F°
35
F°
Monthly Average # of Hot and Cold Days
Month
Days Greater Than 90 F°
Days Less Than 32 F°
Days Less Than 0 F°
Jan
0
29
5
Feb
0
25
2
Mar
0
21
0
Apr
0
6
0
May
1
0
0
Jun
2
0
0
Jul
5
0
0
Aug
3
0
0
Sep
1
0
0
Oct
0
4
0
Nov
0
18
0
Dec
0
28
2
Rain & Humidity
Month
Rainfall
Rainy Days
Humidity
Jan
2
"
8
18
%
Feb
2
"
7
21
%
Mar
3
"
9
29
%
Apr
4
"
11
38
%
May
5
"
12
49
%
Jun
4
"
10
60
%
Jul
4
"
9
65
%
Aug
4
"
10
64
%
Sep
4
"
8
55
%
Oct
3
"
9
42
%
Nov
3
"
8
33
%
Dec
2
"
9
22
%
Snow
Month
Snowfall
Snow On Ground Days
Snowy Days
Jan
8
"
16
4
Feb
6
"
11
4
Mar
3
"
3
1
Apr
0
"
0
0
May
0
"
0
0
Jun
0
"
0
0
Jul
0
"
0
0
Aug
0
"
0
0
Sep
0
"
0
0
Oct
0
"
0
0
Nov
1
"
1
1
Dec
7
"
9
4
Natural Disaster Areas
Earthquakes
Hurricanes
Wildfires
Floods
Tornadoes
Volcanoes
Cost of Living for
Western Illinois - Great River Country
Western Illinois - Great River Country cost of living for Housing, Healthcare, Transportation, Taxes, Utilities, etc.:
Demographics
Race
Religion
Political Party
Age
Senior Housing Options
Adult communities
Gated communities
Rental units
Affordable Housing
Group homes
Residential care facility
Apartments
Houses
RV Parks
Assisted Living
Nursing homes
State veteran home
Condos
Over 50 Communities
Galesburg Towers, Whiting Hall Assisted Living, Moon Towers, Seminary Village & Estates, Kensington Assisted Living, etc.
Senior Assistance in
Western Illinois - Great River Country
Western Illinois - Great River Country offers the following assistance for seniors:
Elder-care facilities
Meals on Wheels
Van services for seniors
Home care
Senior center
Visiting nurses
Several facilities. The Oaks Senior Center, VNA Community Services
What Job or Volunteer Opportunities Does Western Illinois - Great River Country Offer For Retirees?
Galesburg Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Orpheum Theatre, Wal-Mart, Hy Vee Grocery, Knox Community Prairie Kitchen, etc.
Additional Information
Visitor Information
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