Farming roots and quiet living draw residents to Watseka
Watseka is a little Illinois city, where long-time residents stay for the small-town feel, and new people come for the quiet atmosphere and less expensive homes. "I'd say 75% of people buying homes here are locals moving around, and the other 25% are people moving here to get away from the high prices and noise of the city," says Tim Smith, a Realtor with Smith's Real Estate Services and lifelong local of Watseka. According to Smith, many people born in the area stay there for a few reasons, including the local industry and slow-paced lifestyle that comes with it. "We're the buckle of the corn belt here," he says. "So, we're a farming community with agricultural and manufacturing industries."
Quiet streets have older homes at lower prices than nearby cities
The area has quiet residential streets, with tall trees and sidewalks set far back from the roads. Homes that are closest to downtown are Cape Cods, bungalows and early 1900s two-story styles that sell for $30,000 to $120,000. Larger homes, like Victorians, American Foursquares, ranch-style homes and New Traditionals, range between $150,000 and $400,000. "Expenses are low here, and what people can buy, as far as property goes, is a lot more here than in any other nearby city," Smith says. The median price for a single-family home in Watseka is about $130,000, well below the median in Joliet , Champaign , Chicago and other Illinois cities where residents may commute. "I had a client who decided to live here and commit to a longer drive," Smith says. "He'd rather have the big house and long drive to work than live in the city and have a smaller house for twice the price, at least."
Interstate 57 is close, and big cities are within a reasonable drive
Illinois state Route 1 and U.S. Route 24 intersect in Watseka, and Interstate 57 is about 15 miles away. Some residents commute to a few nearby cities for work. "We're 30 minutes from Kankakee , 90 minutes from Chicago, 90 minutes from Joliet and an hour from Champaign," Smith says. Agriculture is the leading local industry, and there are manufacturers, equipment dealers and transportation services based here, using local railroads to ship their freight. Another significant employer is Iroquois Memorial Hospital, and, according to Smith, remote work is changing the idea of needing to work and live in the same place. "As long as you have a good internet connection, you can work from anywhere and actually enjoy where you live," he says. Chicago Midway International Airport is about 90 miles away.
District schools are close together and offer free lunch
Iroquois County Community Unit School District 9 serves the local students, with four schools within a mile of one another. Wanda Kendall Elementary School for prekindergarten and kindergarten is rated B by Niche. Glenn Raymond Elementary School teaches first through fifth grade and is unrated. Watseka Junior High School and Watseka Community High School share two wings of one school building. They are rated B and B-minus, respectively. The district offers every student free breakfast and lunch, regardless of financial status.
Peters Park and American Legion Park anchor outdoor fun
Small city parks with playgrounds and sports courts are around Watseka, and natural outlets like nature preserves and wildlife areas are within 20 miles. Peters Park is the home of Watseka Little League and has tennis courts and a three-story pavilion. At American Legion Park, residents can walk around the trails, fish in Sugar Creek, swim in the public pool and play disc golf.
Annual festivals and parades celebrate the area’s rural history
The community comes together at American Legion Park to celebrate its small-town charms at the Watseka Family Festival, which started in 2019. "The city brings in bands on Friday and Saturday, and there are food trucks, craft sales, a car show and activities for the kids," Smith says. Other annual events include a Christmas parade and Harvest Daze at the Old Courthouse Museum, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Residents dine locally or head to nearby cities for variety
Watseka's businesses, shops and restaurants are along Walnut Street. "We're trying to fill the empty storefronts and enjoy what we have since not many towns still have a downtown area," Smith says. La Potosina is a Mexican restaurant with three locations in the region. The restaurant supports the community, sponsoring youth sports teams and local schools. Berkot's Super Foods, Runnings and Walmart Supercenter are available, and residents head to places like Champaign and Bradley to try new restaurants and be away from the familiar crowd. "It's impossible to go out to eat in town and not run into someone you know," Smith says.
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Heather Haggerty
