Elgin, IL, United States

The Elgin National Watch Company may have been a titan of American industry, but its former home of Elgin, Illinois is now a sleepy Chicago suburb with few reminders of its watchmaking glory days. For nearly a century, the company's 35-acre manufacturing complex was the world's largest site dedicated to watchmaking, producing half of all pocket watches made in the United States. However, the plant closed in 1964 and the city has struggled to reinvent itself, with a persistent bureaucratic headache plaguing residents. Those seeking a quiet, affordable life within commuting distance of Chicago may find Elgin an appealing option, but the lack of economic dynamism means this city is best suited for retirees or those content with a slower pace.