Belleville, IL... Southwest Illinois? (Chicago, East St. Louis: sales, house, buying)

[robert_2006]

Hello, I have some friends who will be visiting Belleville, Illinois and St. Clair County... also Southwest Illinois. They were wondering a few things and I hope someone could answer these questions of theirs...

1. What is it like living in Southwest, IL? How does it compare to the rest of IL?

2. What is the property tax in Belleville, IL or St. Clair county?

3. How is living in Belleville, IL?

4. What seems to be the gas prices for right now in Belleville, IL?

Would like to know answers if I could to those questions and really any information regarding Southwest IL and Belleville, IL would be appreciated. They may be buying property here.

Thanks alot,

Robert

[lynnew]

Belleville gasoline price about $2.03 per gallon. The schools in Bellevile are divided east and west. East of the town fountain good school. West of the fountain, not so good. Property taxes are cheap compared to northern Illinois but the city of Bellevile likes to control your life and who you can hire to work on your house. This irritated me a lot. If the contractor isn't on a city approved list you aren't supposed to hire them. The contractors, of course, have to pay the city to be on this list.

I am also looking to move elsewhere but still in the southern portion of Illinois. I visited a town called Sparta this week end that looked promising. I liked the look of Red Bud, another small town and I have heard that the town of Pickneyville is a great place for familiies. I will probably be driving there to look around fairly soon.

I guess it depends on whether or not you like bigger or smaller towns; whether you think government should have their fingers in your pie and what you do for a living. Good luck.

[april_scoggins2006]

hello here is a small town i live in its not to big or to small there alot of school in my town 4 school and they aree good school and around chirstmas time they give kids money and take kids on shopping speer to walmart and dollar store in carlinville this town dont tell you who can come over and fix your place or nonething like that walmart places to eat and 4 places to get gas a jail house and a court house

[samreen]

I Am Movin To Bellville Il,can Any One Give Me Idea About Good Housing And Schools In That Area Too?

[Xing]

Belleville compared to the rest of Illinois - Everything is less expensive than Northern IL (Chicago). Products to buy are no different, and sales tax, I believe, is higher than the Missouri side of St. Louis. Homes are very inexpensive compared to living in Northern IL, and also less expensive than homes on the Missouri side.

Transportation is excellent. A Light rail line was built to St. Louis, and opened in 2001. It's brand new, and runs smooth.

All the schools are good. There are a total of 4 high schools, 2 private, and 2 public. The two public schools are Belleville West and Belleville East. The Belleville East Campus was once a college, built in the 60's or 70's.... The Belleville West Campus is brand new, built about 3 years ago, I think. Althoff High is the largest of the private schools, and Catholic, while the other private school, Governor French, isn't. Althoff is probably the most diverse of the 4.

Your selection of homes are diverse. The west side of the city has large, and expensive homes, but they are older, with more impressive architecture and character. The rest of the suburban-like homes are on the outskirts of the city; north, south, east, and west, and are newer, reflecting what you see most everywhere else in the Midwest. You would probably want to live on the northern side of the city, if you choose those, where there is more retail, and things to do.

Downtown, and inside the city, you can find a more urban, and densely populated amount of homes. The architecture is unique , but the Belleville area , unfortunately, has its social stigmas and a dated perception of urban character, so the amount of investment and city upgrades are minimal in that area, compared to the rest of the city.

That brings me to the last thing. The sociology of Belleville is interesting. I'll leave it at that.

[joee]

In reference to belleville, il, i'm sure i'll ruffle a few feathers but mayby it's just myself, i have delt with several belleville people in business and i must say not all but the bigest majority of them are stuffy, self centered, and just plain out snobby.

does anyone else find that area to be like that also.

[doll lady]

We go to Belleville once a month. My niece lives there and she loves it.

On the third weekend of the month there is a nice flea market at the Belle Claire Fairgrounds. I always find nice antiques, vintage toys and dolls. YAY

Not too many good places to eat though....but Fairview Heights is just up the road with many large shopping areas and great food places.

[robert_2006]

Thanks everyone for the information,

[KathyPabst]

Try looking in the Troy, Illinois area. Very nice rural area, yet close to everything. Belleville has gone down hill in the last 40 years. And yes Belleville is different, it always has been.

[NativeIllinoisan]

Originally Posted by KathyPabst

Try looking in the Troy, Illinois area. Very nice rural area, yet close to everything. Belleville has gone down hill in the last 40 years. And yes Belleville is different, it always has been.

There are people in Belleville who say East St. Louis used to be a real nice place. I suspect Belleville will eventually just be a part of East St. Louis.

For now, though, everybody party! Nude mags and porn are illegal in Belleville. The post office guys steal your TV Guides. (No kidding...it's a racket; they steal everyone's magazines)

But Eckert's strawberries can't be beat.