If you live in Illinois and you're finding that the housing market is a little too expensive for you, have you considered living somewhere else?

Especially if you're a first-time homebuyer it can be difficult to find a place to call yours that fits your budget.

estate agent giving house keys to woman and sign agreement in office
Natee Meepian
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I've been there, when I bought my first house it was a long and arduous process.

I wish there had been a list of places in America that highlight the best cities for first-time homebuyers to look into if they're getting ready to take the plunge.

Natee Meepian
Natee Meepian
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I saw this on realtor.com and they listed the Top 10 Towns Where First-Time Buyers Can Finally Snag a Home in 2022.

At the top of the list is Magna, Utah. Sounds great and all but there's a very good chance that, if you're reading this, you probably live in either Illinois or Wisconsin, so moving that far out just to buy a home doesn't sound feasible.

5.7-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Near Salt Lake City, Utah
Magna, Utah Getty Images
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On the other hand, just a little bit further down is a town just outside of Madison, Wisconsin, and only about an hour from Rockford, where this article is originating from.

Realtor.com says Cottage Grove, Wisconsin is one of the 10 best towns for first-time homebuyers in the US.

wichayada suwanachun
wichayada suwanachun
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Realtor.com:

The unemployment rate in the metropolitan area is an extremely low 2.2%, and this up-and-coming, family-friendly community also boasts low crime and good schools.

Locals can choose to go into college town Madison for a fun night out, or stay closer to home.

There are plenty of more affordable condos in Cottage Grove as well as plots of land for sale to build new homes on.

There's a ton of land for sale and most of the homes for sale on realtor.com look like new construction looking for its first owner.

Jessica Sherry with Design Realty
Jessica Sherry with Design Realty
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Have you ever been to Cottage Grove, Wisconsin? What do you think? Is it really an up-and-coming community? Tell us!

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