Savoy has a small-town feel and access to big-city life
Savoy was once rural farmland on the southern edge of Champaign, but over time, it grew into a full-fledged suburban village. Today, Savoy is home to around 9,000 people, several parks and everything from an IMAX movie theater to a bowling alley. “Many people like its green space and trees — you don’t have the stress of downtown living,” says Todd Salen, the managing broker of The Real Estate Group, who has lived near Savoy for more than 35 years. “It’s next to a big city, but it has a very small-town feel.” The village has a few shopping plazas, and there are plans in the works to add a walkable downtown area.
Savoy provides green space, housing variety and a small-town atmosphere within reach of big-city life.
You can find all the locals at The Savoy 16 + IMAX on weekends.
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Outdoor and indoor recreation in Savoy
The Dana Colbert Park is one of Savoy’s most popular green spaces. The 55-acre park offers picnic pavilions, large open fields and a stocked fishing lake. “There’s even a sled hill for when we get our snow,” Salen says. There are several smaller community parks with playgrounds, and the Savoy Recreation Center has an indoor gymnasium and a fitness room. Golfers can choose between the two 18-hole courses at the University of Illinois Orange and Blue Course, which is open to the public. Old Orchard Lanes and Links has a mini-golf course and tenpin bowling, and Skateland offers an arcade and laser tag in addition to its roller-skating rink. Residents can also watch new releases at The Savoy 16 + IMAX with Laser.
Residents of Savoy can head to Dana Colbert Park for a picnic on the lake.
The Savoy Recreation Center is a great place to get together and play pickleball.
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Housing variety with a median around $350,000
The median housing price in Savoy is around $350,000, which is higher than Champaign’s median but lower than the national figure. “Savoy has both neighborhoods that are well-developed and older and some new ones,” Salen says. “Lots of new homes continue to be built there on a regular basis.” The village has a few 1900s farmhouses, midcentury ranch-style homes and Colonial Revivals from the 1980s and ‘90s. Newly built houses usually incorporate Colonial Revival or Craftsman design elements and have front-facing garages. Single-family homes generally list between $200,000 and $700,000, and newer builds tend to occupy the upper end of the range. Condos and townhouses may sell from around $150,000 to $500,000.
With full sized lots and front facing garages, homes in Savoy have spacious yards.
Older residential streets in Savoy were built without paved sidewalks for pedestrians.
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School choice and the benefits of a nearby university
Students can attend schools within the Champaign Unit 4 School District, which earns a B-plus on Niche. The district offers school choice — families can rank their top schools, and students are assigned based on proximity, socioeconomic status and a variety of other factors. Salen says that Carrie Busey Elementary School is often a top selection for parents. Carrie Busey rates an A-minus, and it’s a “proximity school” for some Savoy residents. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus is just a few miles north of the village, and it’s not only a major employer and a popular college, but also a valuable amenity for locals. “The university provides access to big-time football and basketball, rock concerts, performing arts and ballet,” Salen says. “Savoy doesn’t need much because the university offers so much.” Adults aged fifty and older can take classes through the university’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, also known as OLLI. Course topics sometimes include jazz guitar, cryptography and yoga.
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is A nearby resource for the residents of Savoy.
Carrie Busey Elementary School serves the students of Savoy.
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Variety of restaurant choices and some retail
Savoy has a fairly standard selection of national restaurant chains, including Applebee’s and Buffalo Wild Wings, as well as several locally owned dining spots. At Star BBQ, diners can cook their choice of marinated meats on the in-table grills or opt for hearty Korean stews and noodle dishes. People who are craving American comfort food sometimes head to Old Orchard Lanes and Links for their lunch specials, Salen says. “Some days, they have meat loaf, and on others, it’s lasagna or noodles. It’s like grandma’s home cooking.” Craft beer lovers can sample sours and stouts at Triptych Brewing, along Woodfield Drive. The village’s retail and grocery stores include Schnucks, Aldi and a Walmart Supercenter. The Market Place Shopping Center, a large indoor mall, is in Champaign, about 6 miles away.
For groceries residents of Savoy head to Schnucks.
Market Place Shopping Center in Savoy is he perfect place to spend an afternoon shopping.
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Cars, buses and other logistics
Savoy provides access to several modes of transportation, but car travel is the most common. U.S. Route 45, a four-lane highway, bisects the community, connecting drivers to downtown Champaign and nearby interstates. Residents can also ride Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District, or MTD, buses. MTD’s yellow route winds through Savoy and Champaign, with stops near the university campus and Market Place Mall.
The Willard Airport, just west of the village, provides convenient access to flights to Chicago or Dallas. Freight and passenger trains come through Savoy as well, and the closest Amtrak station is about 4 miles north, in central Champaign. Emergency and inpatient care is available around 6 miles away at the Carle Foundation Hospital, a Level I Trauma Center.
The Willard Airport is located at the west end of Savoy.
MTD buses are another travel option for residents of Savoy.
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An annual art fair, plus community gatherings in Colbert Park
In November, regional artists and makers bring their works to the art fair, which is often held at the Savoy Recreation Center. Many other gatherings take place in Colbert Park, Salen says. “They have cultural community events, concerts geared toward adults and activities for youth.” Past events have included a Juneteenth celebration and vintage baseball games.
Written By
Ginny West
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GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Savoy, IL sell after 33 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Savoy, IL over the last 12 months is $361,450, down 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Spacious 2-story home located in the desirable Prairie Fields subdivision of Savoy. This 6-bedroom, 4-bath residence has been completely remodeled. Kitchen, bathrooms, fresh paint, and new flooring throughout-ready for its next owner to move in and enjoy. Complete with a grand two-story entry, formal dining room with hardwood floors adjacent to the updated kitchen The large living room is perfect
First time offered and just listed... Original-owner custom home in sought-after 'Prairie Meadows... Quality-built by Ironwood and priced right. Pretty curb-appeal with the exterior stone and front covered porch (southern exposure). Fantastic layout with useful extra rooms built into the design along with tons of storage. From the covered front porch, you enter the dramatic 2-story foyer with
Welcome to Sterling on First, where you'll find a diverse selection of 1, 2, 3, and 4-bedroom apartments in the heart of Savoy, IL, conveniently located less than 15 minutes from Downtown Champaign and its great dining and shopping. Our dedicated customer service team is eager to serve as your leasing guide, ready to showcase our newly renovated apartments and assist you in finding the perfect
PET FRIENDLY.. Our community is located in Savoy. We are close to Willard Airport and the University of Illinois Vet School/Clinic. The Courtyards are minutes away from downtown restaurants and shopping. Choose from a variety of perfectly planned layouts featuring amenities and details that will complement your lifestyle. We are pet-friendly and encourage you to bring your four-legged friends
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