Bradley, IL, United States

It's a sleepy suburban town with a population of just under 16,000. While the median household income is a respectable $54,824, the local economy has struggled since the closures of major employers like the Kroehler furniture and Roper stove factories in the 1980s. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the recent $450 million expansion of the CSL Behring pharmaceutical plant projected to take up to 12 years to complete. On the plus side, the Northfield Square Mall provides ample shopping, and the town's location along I-57 offers easy access to Chicago 56 miles north. Overall, Bradley is best suited for budget-conscious Midwesterners seeking a quiet, affordable suburb within striking distance of the big city.