Redbird Country is a Midwestern Dream
Here are the most optimistic views I have about living out here in Central Illinois
If you love the wide-open spaces of rural America, you’ll want to head out here to the Midwest, where wide-open spaces are abundant and beautiful views are within reach of nearly every town and city. A number of Midwest cities, such as Chicago and Cincinnati, are also among the best cities in America for jobs and economic opportunity, so you can make your money stretch even further when you live in the Midwest than in other parts of the country. Learn more about how easy it is to live the Midwestern dream with this helpful guide.
Why I love it here in Redbird Country
I love living in the Midwest. I like calling it Redbird Country because it is so peaceful. The pace of life is slower, and people are friendly, just like in Northern California. I also love that there's a sense of community here where people know their neighbors and take time to say hello or wave as they pass by. Another thing I really enjoy about living in this area is that we have four seasons - something I never experienced before coming here. There's always something to do, whether it be going outside or staying inside and spending time with family. Living in Redbird Country is the best decision we've ever made. We make it back to our home state of California when we can, and it's even more fun to go on VACATION there! Part of the fun is being in a less stressful and crowded area than being able to just enjoy ourselves when we're there in the Golden State.
Can you afford to live here?
The cost of living in the Midwest can be higher than in other parts of the country, but it also tends to be more affordable. The cost of living for a family of four in St. Louis, MO, for example, would be about $1,000 per month less than that same family would spend living in New York City. Families with lower incomes will find the state of Illinois has programs and assistance available that are not available elsewhere. Rent assistance and homebuyer's assistance programs are just two examples.
It's all about priorities
A lot of people don't come back to the Midwest because they think that the pace is too slow, but what they don't see are all of the things that make this place so great. Family priorities are an important part of our culture and we take care of one another. There's a sense of community here that you just can't find in other parts of the country. It's also such an affordable place to live with plenty of opportunities for new jobs as big companies start to look at moving production here. A most recent example is Rivian, which has continued to hire local workers and kept our economy strong. Other local big companies in the area are State Farm, Country Financial, and Ferraro.
What do you REALLY need for yourself and your family?
The kind of country life I deeply longed to grow up in was here in Bloomington-Normal. It's not too different from any other place in the Midwest, but it has a few quirks and traditions that make it special. The first thing you need if you're going to live anywhere in the country is land, so we have farms and ranches but also large yards are available with the houses. There is likely going to be more affordable land here than in say, Watsonville or Santa Cruz, so that is definitely something to consider while you're looking to up-root your family. One of my favorite things about the town is how central everything is. For example, our farmer's market is right in downtown Bloomington which means fresh produce all summer!
Final Thoughts About Our Experience Here
I wanted to live on the prairie and raise my family in a town with small-town values. I longed for access to metro life without having to live there. Here in the Midwest, the air smells fresh, you can still see stars at night, and you know your neighbors by name. Redbird Country is everything I could ever have hoped for. There are open spaces, wildlife of all kinds that you never knew existed, and quiet times where thoughts are endless. The pace of life slows down here so it's possible to live a more mindful existence in the moment while embracing what tomorrow might bring.
We're surrounded by good people who help us love our neighbors as ourselves.
Come to Redbird Country! I'll be waiting here just for you! I'm certain that when you take time to enjoy the Midwestern lifestyle and stop racing through your day in the hustle and bustle of California, you'll feel better than before.
Matthew Kenneth Gray lives in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois with his wife Melanie and two daughters, Grace and Annie. This post was inspired by Fall and all that comes with it here in Redbird Country.