The Carbondale community
Home of Southern Illinois University (siu.edu), a growing four-year research institution, and John A. Logan College- racially, culturally and generationally diverse population
Midwest friendliness
Relatively low cost of living, including housing
Small enough that you can live in the country, but be just 10-15 minutes from town
Supportive LGBTQ community
Education
Public school population which is diverse in race, nationality and income levels, with strong academics (Carbondale’s high school offers 12 AP courses)
Numerous private school options, including religious, alternative and neuro-diversity-focused.
Open continuing education opportunities via SIU’s large library, free lectures at its law school and Paul Simon Public Policy Institute
Recreation
Numerous lakes and rivers for kayaking, canoeing, hunting, bird watching, hiking, & swimming
Shawnee National Forest- hiking, camping, rock climbing, foraging
Equestrian stables and trails
Green Earth walking trails in town
Mountain bike and paved shared use walk/bike paths
Rec Center, with indoor pools, indoor walking/jogging tracks, bouldering cave, climbing wall, racquetball courts, workout equipment
Golf, pickleball, tennis, yoga, ballroom dance lessons
Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, which plans to build an indoor-outdoor water park www.walkersbluffcasinoresort.com
Food
Many small local farms and orchards, often organic.
Thriving farmer’s market & online store- www.facebook.com/farmersmarketcarbondale, www.leaffoodhub.com
Large local co-op grocery store (think mini-Whole Foods) - www.neighborhood.coop
Sizeable international grocery store supporting residents & foreign students
Variety of restaurants: farm-to-table, Middle Eastern, sushi, Thai, & nationally-known BBQ
Adjacent to the Shawnee Wine Trail and the Southern Illinois Beer Trail
Arts
Varsity Center- community and regional theater
SIU School of Music events- https://music.siu.edu/events/
A variety of music festivals from across the musical spectrum
Abundant opportunities to hear or perform music and local wineries
Summer “Sunset Concert” series
McLeod Summer Playhouse professional summer theater series- playhouse.siu.edu/
Community choir - www.siuchoralunion.org
Community arts center- www.artspace304.org
Wide range of craft groups
Community radio and public TV/radio- www.wdbx.org and www.wsiu.org
For kids
Splash Park
Variety of youth sports
Southern Illinois Children’s Choir
Strong public library with many kid’s programs- carbondalepubliclibrary.org/events/childrens-events/
Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, offering various camps for kids of all ability levels
Local orchards and farms open to the public
All Southern High School Theater Project
Climate
Four seasons- great fall colors, just enough snow for variety, & average winter highs around 40 deg.
Healthcare
Carbondale’s hospital is the regional referral center for specialist medical care, and it has Level II trauma and neonatal care
SIU School of Medicine provides training for medical students in Carbondale, has a residency program for doctors, and operates a large family practice clinic.
Cardiovascular institute and cancer care facility
Nearby Marion has a VA hospital
Less than two hours from large teaching hospitals in St. Louis