Morocco has affordable home prices not far from Chicago
Morocco is a rural town of about 1,000 residents in Beaver Township, Newton County, close to the Illinois state line and around 80 miles from Chicago. Its proximity to The Windy City is one of its main draws: people in search of more affordable housing prices and lower taxes are settling down here. Morocco’s slower pace and friendliness are also a draw. “People will wave to you even if they don’t know you,” says Corine Beard, a Realtor with Trueblood Real Estate who sells throughout Northwest Indiana. “It’s a cute little town.”
Homes span 100-year-old charmers to newer manufactured builds
Homes in Morocco include ranch-style, New Traditional, manufactured and a few 100-year-old bungalows, Cape Cods and Victorians. They sit on lawns landscaped with grass and tall trees. Residential streets are quiet and some have sidewalks. Prices typically range from $100,000 to around $320,000, with higher-priced homes often exceeding 2,000 square feet, sitting on sprawling lawns or both.
Kids can attend schools within North Newton School Corporation
North Newton School Corporation serves the town and rates a C on Niche. Families can request open enrollment within the district or apply for out-of-district transfers, which are accepted based on capacity and policy rather than random selection. Kids can start school at Lake Village Elementary, which has a C-plus on Niche, and end at C-rated North Newton Junior-Senior High. Ninth, 10th and 11th graders at North Newton take the PSAT in the fall to help them prepare to take the SAT in their senior year. Instead of taking the PSAT on test day, seniors participate in community service.
Multiple parks and mini bowling alley keep residents active
Morocco Park features a playground with swings, a volleyball court, covered picnic pavilion and plenty of open space. Sam Rice Park has baseball fields, a basketball court and a community pool. Kessler Park is a pocket green space near downtown with a gazebo and a bench for people watching. Older kids skate at the local skatepark on the town’s north side. Huntsmen and women head to the shooting range at the nearby Willow Slough Fish & Wildlife area, which also features campgrounds and hiking trails. For indoor recreation, residents gather at Legion Lanes, a small bowling alley at the local American Legion.
Essentials and dining found in town with more options nearby
Residents pick up groceries and essentials at Dollar General and Family Dollar. Services, local businesses and houses of worship are located throughout town. Dining out options include local favorites Hill Top Tavern, a popular dive bar that serves pub grub like chicken fingers and wings; and Mel’s Downtown, a laid-back spot serving sandwiches, burgers, and pizza. More shopping and dining options are in Kankakee, about 35 miles away.
Annual events include Beaver Fest and Christmas tree lighting
The Morocco location of the Newton County Public Library offers after school programs for kids, bingo nights for adults, and interactive playtime events for babies and toddlers. During Memorial Day weekend, the town ushers in the summer with Beaver Fest, which includes vendors, garage sales, a car show, bounce houses and kids’ games, a 5K and more. The event concludes with a fireworks show at Sam Rice Park. In late November, the annual Tree Lighting Celebration takes place downtown. “This is how small the town is: they put up a giant Christmas tree in the middle of [East] Street. Usually, the elementary school kids will decorate it, which is very cute,” Beard says. The event also includes a parade of lights, a blessing of the tree and a visit from Santa.
U.S. Highway 41 keeps residents connected to nearby communities
Residents get around by car, due to the town’s lack of a fixed bus line. U.S. Highway 41 runs near the east side and connects to nearby communities. The closest hospital with an emergency room is Franciscan Health Rensselaer, within 20 miles of the community via IN-114 West, which is accessible from Highway 41. Chicago O’Hare International is the closest major airport and is about 100 miles away.
