Columbia, Illinois (population ~11,000) is a pleasant, river‑adjacent small city with suburban comfort, parks, local wineries, a nearby golf course and a compact downtown—an easy, liveable place for multi‑week stays where you won’t feel stuck.
Big‑city amenities are a short drive — St. Louis is roughly 12–15 miles away for museums, pro sports and an international airport, and nearby Belleville offers larger retail, hospitals and nightlife, so weekend options are plentiful.