Carbondale, IL is a small city in Southern Illinois known for its beautiful parks and vibrant downtown. It's also home to the Saluki Dog Park, one of the most popular canine attractions in the region. The town is filled with unique shops, restaurants, and galleries that make it an excellent destination for anyone looking for some culture and entertainment. Reviews of Carbondale have praised the town's friendly atmosphere and laid-back lifestyle that makes it a great place to visit or even call home. People often comment on how much they enjoy walking around throughout the city or taking part in outdoor activities like hiking or fishing. Furthermore, the nearby Shawnee National Forest provides ample opportunities for exploration and adventure. All together, Carbondale offers something for everyone regardless if you're looking to relax or take part in exciting activities.
based on 7 ReviewsGet to know Carbondale with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Carbondale
Grew up Here, Went to College Here, Have a Career - 11/30/2016
I've lived in C'dale for over 30 years. I got an excellent education here - Giant City School was great, though fairly insular and not very diverse (among its drawbacks when I attended from 1985-1994). Small class sizes are fine, unless you're the odd one out. CCHS (the high school) was good, too - I also got a pretty good education there (honors classes available). I went on to SIU, and was impressed with the quality of the faculty in many cases. I got my degree at SIU, and have always felt safe in Carbondale. I had a great time in college, and met lots of interesting people. I also managed to get through college largely debt-free by getting a full-time job at SIU while in school, and taking advantage of their tuition waiver.
Carbondale's natural geography has already been mentioned. If you like outdoors recreation, there is a ton to take advantage of here. Hiking, kayaking, canoeing, rappelling, you name it. There is a myriad of gorgeous state and national park
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The Dale - 7/15/2008
I like Carbondale. It is relaxing and an easy way to go about getting a college degree. It has its ups and downs, mainly with the people in the town not recognizing the fact that most of them would have jobs with out the college. The land lords are horrible too, especially heartland properties, do not rent from that jack off. I guess Carbondale would be a lot better if the college kids were catered to
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Disagree with the other opinions - 2/29/2008
All of the comments are negative here and seem to me to be misleading. The idea that you have to have a lot of money in Carbondale is ridiculous. The price of cultural events at the University pale in comparison to cities like St Louis and Chicago. For one of the commentors the fact that there is only one small museum at the University weighed into their disatisfaction, do you know what it costs to enter the Field museum in Chicago. Wake up people when you have no money it is hard to be happy and believe me you would be more unhappy if you were living in another city with a higher cost of living. If you are looking for a cheap place to have fun with no money you might want to try Bangladesh or something.
I also went to school in at SIU and had a life changing experience that has driven tremendous success and happiness for me in my life and career. I have lived and worked all over the world and one of the best places I have lived is Carbondale. I get back all the time for
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boring, boring, boring, especially if your low-inc - 11/19/2007
Most depressively I've had to endure living in this boring town for 29 years except for 1.5 yrs I lived in a somewhat similar college town although bigger called Chapel Hill, NC. Except for with Chapel Hill if you have a car you don't have to travel 2 hours to get to more interesting places. Anyways I've been pretty unhappy here and since I was poor I couldn't afford to relocate. I did attempt to relocate about 5 or 6 times and ended up having to return here. If you've money you can attend plays and various activities going on at Southern Illinois University. Now if you love hunting and fishing you'd probably like it here. There is a major lack of fun activities to do here. Only 1 museum that I know of in Carbondale and that's a small one at the university. There is a stable way up Giant City rd if you like to ride horses. There's a beautiful state park called Giant City State park that has a lodge you can eat good food at and cabins you can rent to stay in. But Carbondale
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you're right; Carbondale never changes - 9/10/2007
I've been stuck here for 29 years minus 1.5 yrs I lived in another not so exciting city. The person that wrote the comment Carbondale never changes couldn't be more right. It has changed a little but as far as the same types of people; no it hasn't. It still has it's hand full of unfortunate homeless people that hang out right outside a liquor store downtown bumming money off people or sitting on the curbs of the strip which is the main rd downtown. All I can say for this city is boring, boring, boring but yet one good thing about it is I feel safe. Now if you got lots of money to spend there's fun you can find to do here. Or if you like nature there's lots of natural beauty you can
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Where's a good mid to large city to move to? - 9/9/2007
Hi, I've lived here for about 27 years and I've not been happy for quite a few of them. I've tried to relocate about 6 times and I did make it to a similar city I found I wasn't so thrilled with for 1.5 yrs. I had to come back here 2.5 yrs ago for family reasons but now I'm wanting to relocate again. My son and I lived in Charleston, SC several yrs ago (9 or 10 maybe) but we didn't have enough money and had to return here. It seemed very hot there in May and the Black folks there (are very nice/friendly) said for me to wait till July and see how hot it gets there in Charleston, SC. Now we finally have the chance to relocate again and my son would love Charleston but I'm afraid I won't be able to handle the heat. Anybody know of any great place to live that has lots of activities/attractions, natural beauty, historic, not so bad on the crime and a zoo would be great. So anybody know of a great place like that to live? And not a super big city but mid to large would be OK.
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The Place Never Changes - 3/19/2007
I went to college at SIU in the 1970's with all the long haired hippies with liberal values, streaking, and Vietnam vets. The place never changed and the old timers never left. It is
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