Momence, IL Home for Rent

Momence, Illinois is a small rural community of about 3,000 people with a preserved midwestern feel that has drawn film and television crews to its historic streets and homes. Many residents know one another well, and the town’s close-knit culture is a major draw for people moving in. Housing runs from Cape Cods, bungalows and workers’ cottages with alley-access garages to larger Victorian-era homes on tree-lined streets. On the outskirts, 1950s and later ranch-style, bi-level and New Traditional homes sit in small pocket areas, giving buyers a range of older and midcentury styles. Downtown Momence is on the National Register of Historic Places, with Italianate and Pioneer-era buildings housing shops, salons, offices and restaurants such as Yanni’s Restaurant, a local diner on Washington Street. Main Street Momence, a nonprofit, focuses on preserving this historic core, and the town periodically closes Washington Street for block parties and live music. Berkot’s Super Foods serves local grocery needs, while more retail and services are in Kankakee to the west. Momence Community Unit School District has relatively small class sizes and a high school that partners with Kankakee Area Career Center for vocational training. Island Park, set on an island in the Kankakee River and reached by a wooden footbridge, provides river views, a playground and a paved path, with a nearby boat ramp for paddling. Annual attractions include the four-day Momence Gladiolus Festival, weekly seasonal farmers markets and community car shows. Commuters typically drive to nearby Kankakee-area towns or to Chicago about 60 miles away. Some properties near the river face higher flood risk, which can mean needing additional flood insurance.