I'm in central Illinois, in Pekin, which is across the Illinois River from Peoria.

Take a look at how inexpensive some of the houses are! (There are pricey ones for those with deeper pockets that mine). https://www.realtystore.com/search.html?adid=RS146003TR1004&AFID=TILE1&XID=6709012984&propertyid=842182523&zip=61554&city=Pekin&state=IL

This is the house (we pass by it every day) we would buy if we were rich: https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/700-Washington-St_Pekin_IL_61554_M81539-54681?from=srp-list-card