Transferring to St. Louis on a budget and with a family... HELP!

[jtjmom]

Juice (and others),

Yes, we did finally find a place, thanks so much for all of your help! After looking into all of the options, taking into consideration property pricing, what we needed in the way of schools (as compared to what we have), and considering location relative to where we needed to be, we did end up going to Granite City. It's most likely only for 2-3 years anyway, so we were very selective about the neighborhood.

After I went back and read my own posts, I gave GC a good hard look, and realized this: it's a whole lot like Clinton, where we live now, and we like it here. So why not be a little open-minded and honest with myself, and give it a shot? Like I said, it's really only short-term in the big picture, so since we're trying something new anyway, why not try something new? LOL...(Plus I graduated from Gibson City High School, and I think it would be kind of cool for my daughter to also graduate from a GCHS, even if it's not the same one!)

We really liked Roxana a lot, as well as Bethalto, there was just nothing there that met our needs at the time, as far as appropriate housing was concerned. You can't move where there are no houses... Belleville was a little too big for our taste, Collinsville a little too far out. Besides, I think we can assimilate well in Granite. We're small town folk, and it's actually a little bigger than we're used to, but I think we'll be just fine.

Thanks again so very much for all of your help. Had it not been for all of you here on this forum, I'd never have been able to sort through all of this. And I'm not a bona-fide CityData Junkie!

~Danielle

[Juice13610]

Excellent. I am glad to hear a good report from you.

I just moved from 90 miles southeast of St Louis to St. Clair County (Fairview Heights) on a budget with a 3 month old and a wife, and we got an apartment. I got a job in IT in the city. As expected, I love my new job and the new area.

Where did you come from, and what brought you to the St Louis area? Have you lived in the St. Louis area before? I was thinking maybe you had since you had already formed an opinion on GC from the beginning.

Thanks, and glad to hear all is well!

[jtjmom]

It's good to hear from an "import" who really likes the area! Wow, it must've been a task to move with such a young baby, congrats on getting it done! Glad you like the job as well! What area did you move from?

My husband got a promotion, and we are being relocated. We're coming from central IL (Clinton, specifically), so not very far... just far enough to make it a commitment.

I've never lived in Granite (or the area) before, but DH has worked in the area for about 10 years (railroad), so we kind of had an idea of what area we could afford. We also kind of knew where to avoid... We had both heard pretty much only the negative about Granite from everyone we talked to. Actually going there and seeing the city is whatultimately changed our minds.

I'm really satisfied with the house we're buying. It's a little smaller than I would like, but the location is great, and it's much nicer than what we have right now. We ended up having to go a little higher than our original budget, but I think it's worth it. Other than the occasional rampant "I'm never going to find my way around down here" thought, I'm actually looking forward to the move. It's time for a change, and I think this will be a positive one!

Please keep in touch, I'd be interested in knowing how you're doing. Spend lots of time wih that little one, they'll be driving before you know it...

~Danielle

[Juice13610]

I looked up Clinton and my former town has a lot in common with Clinton. I came from Benton, IL about 22 miles south of Mt Vernon. We had about 7,000 people and similar demographics. It was such a nice change to move up here. I am a member of another St Louis-area-only forum that is full of STL elitists who really put to shame my knowledge of the city. Seems that anyone that has lived here for years (even the 18-25 year olds) know the city very well. So Im sure eventually you will get used to it. I am trying to get to know it by visiting some of the local classics (Ted Drewe's custard stand, Gus' Pretzels, etc). I used to visit up here for a couple of days at a time for mini-vacations and stay downtown. Now that I am working to the West of St. Louis in Creve Coeur it has given me a bit more knowledge about other parts of the city.

I live in Fairview Heights and know exactly what you mean about wondering whether or not you will ever be able to get around without looking at a map!

[pazyamore]

Hi there:

I know you were considering living nearby and I wanted to let you know that GC may get negative feedback but I moved here 6 months ago and have little complaints. No place is perfect, of course, including GC, but I love my home I just purchased in GC-super reasonable and I feel quite safe in my neighborhood. The gentleman I bought it from lived there 25 years and purchased a home about 6 doors down. Most of the neighbors have been here forever. I particularly like Lincoln Place, an area full of ethnic heritage and history. My little one LOVES his daycare...already writing and beginning to read at 3, thanks a lot to them. I don't have to worry about traffic, and once the McKinley Bridge reopens in November it will be real easy to get to St. Louis. I have noticed many people here are proud of their town. There are some great websites strickly about GC, including a new offical GC state of illinois site, GraniteCityGossip.com and www.granitecity.com. I (broken link) just wanted to give you a few positives to think about when hearing all of the negatives.

[Juice13610]

She already bought in GC and is living there.

[jtjmom]

But yes, we have already bought a home there, in a really nice, quiet neighborhood. Looking forward to the move. I've already seen the Granite City site you mentioned, actually, and it's great! Thanks so much for the input!

~Danielle

[anr_black]

Danielle~
I was reading this thread and wanted to say I'm glad you found a place you like in Granite. I teach in Madison and many of the people I work with live there and seem to like it. I know Granite City has some nice neighborhoods, and I think almost any place is what you make of it.
By the way, I'm originally from Taylorville, and my dad works at ADM. Have to agree, Decatur does stink! (ha ha).
Amy