Champaign, anchored by the University of Illinois, mixes college‑town energy with a compact, walkable downtown of restaurants, craft breweries, live music, museums and year‑round events—ideal for multi‑week stays when you want things to do after shifts.
Nearby Urbana boosts the arts/café scene and Bloomington‑Normal (~50 miles) offers larger shopping and weekend escapes; affordable rents, solid healthcare systems and bikeable neighborhoods make it easy to enjoy longer contracts.