Vandalia, Illinois is a compact, historic small city (once the state capital) with affordable short-term housing, a pleasant downtown of period architecture, local restaurants and community events that make multi-week stays comfortable and interesting rather than isolating.
Located on I‑70 with easy drives to larger hubs, Effingham (~35 miles) offers regional dining and transport options while St. Louis (~70 miles) gives access to major airports, nightlife and cultural attractions.