c.1887 Illinois Beauty with Carriage House and Sleeping Porch! Under $150K

c.1887 Illinois Beauty with Carriage House and Sleeping Porch. The best kind of time capsule. Located on a street with other historic homes.

1011 6th St, Charleston, IL 61920     $149,900

• Contact Realtor: Douglas Stanberry
• Google Map
• Niche

 

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Pros

1. Low Cost of Living & Housing Affordability

   • The cost of living index in Charleston is about 83, meaning living expenses are roughly 17% below the U.S. average.

   • Housing is especially cheap. The housing index is significantly lower than national average.

   • Median home values are modest (various sources in the $120,000–$160,000 range), so buying a home tends to be more accessible.

2. Quick Commuting / Small‑City Scale

   • Average commute times are relatively short (~15 minutes), which means less time in traffic and more convenience.

   • The city is neither very large nor very remote; many amenities (stores, parks, trails, etc.) are reasonably near.

3. Recreation / Outdoor Amenities

   • There are a number of parks and trails: The Lincoln Prairie Grass Trail connects Charleston to nearby Mattoon.

   • Lake Charleston, Spillway Park, Woodyard Park, and others provide access to hiking, swimming, fishing, and general nature/green spaces

   • Also cultural amenities tied to Eastern Illinois University: arts, sports events, etc.

4. Educational & Cultural Presence

   • Having Eastern Illinois University (EIU) in town adds things like lectures, arts, sports, and other university‑linked activities.

   • Historic buildings and downtown area are relatively charming, with architecture, local restaurants and small businesses.

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Cons

1. Lower Income Levels / Limited Job Variety

   • Median incomes are below U.S. averages. That often reflects the kinds of jobs available locally.

   • Many jobs revolve around the university, retail, services; fewer high‑paying industries, so for certain professions opportunities are limited. Resident feedback points this out.

2. Rental Market / Fluctuations

   • While rents are low compared to many places, they have been rising. Some properties may have limited quality or amenities.

   • Some areas (near student housing) may have downsides—noise, density, upkeep of rental properties. This is common in college towns.

3. Crime / Safety Concerns (Resident Feedback)

   • Some residents report issues with drug activity, litter, or a perceived lack of police responsiveness in certain neighborhoods.

   • As with many smaller towns, safety can vary quite a lot by area, so location matters. (Note: I did not find strong quantitative crime stats in what I pulled up, so this is based more on anecdotal feedback.)

4. Limited Diversity of Amenities / Entertainment

   • Outside the university and downtown areas, choices for dining, specialty shopping, nightlife, etc., are more limited. For some people that matters a lot.

   • Some people feel that once the students leave, the town quiets down a lot. Seasonal or cyclical lull times may affect how “active” the town feels. (Again, more from resident commentary.)

5. Property & Sales Tax, Other Local Costs

   • Property taxes in Illinois tend to be relatively high; some feedback says this is a financial burden.

   • Sales tax: depending on the local rate, everyday purchases might cost more relative to very low‑tax places.

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