Jackson is a friendly, walkable county seat of about 3,300 with a compact downtown, nearby lakes and parks, a historic theater and regular community events—an easy, low‑stress base where you can recharge between shifts and enjoy local coffee shops, trails and small‑town comforts that make multi‑week stays pleasant rather than isolating.
Within easy drives, Worthington (≈33 miles) is the closest mid‑size hub for bigger shopping, dining and regional services, and Estherville, IA (≈22 miles) gives quick extra options for lakes and outdoor day trips—so weekends and errands are straightforward during a contract.