Mount Vernon is a friendly, affordable county-seat of about 14,600 with a walkable historic downtown, an active arts scene (Cedarhurst Center), parks, a historical village and regular festivals—easy to enjoy on multi‑week assignments.
Larger hubs are an easy drive: Marion (~45 miles) for bigger retail and medical centers, and Belleville (~65–70 miles) for more dining and access toward the St. Louis area, so you won’t feel isolated between shifts.