wheres should I retire?
You are here: Home > Illinois > Western Illinois - Great River Country

Retirement Living In Western Illinois - Great River Country


Jump to: Area, Characteristics, Cost, Amenities, Climate, Demographics, Housing, Assistance

Area Description

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





Area Amenities

Things to Do, Recreation & Fitness
   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
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
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


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

Cost of Living for Western Illinois - Great River Country

Western Illinois - Great River Country cost of living for Housing, Healthcare, Transportation, Taxes, Utilities, etc.:

 Cost of Living

Demographics

Race

Religion

Political Party

Age

Senior Housing Options





 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:
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

Relocation Information


Back to: Area, Characteristics, Cost, Amenities, Climate, Demographics, Housing, Assistance

     





Disclaimer Privacy Contact Us