Who actually lives in Alton? (East St. Louis, St. Charles: condo, crime, homes)

[2beamissourian]

I grew up and went to school there. I went very few years to public school because of things that happen in the district......... I went to a Catholic school in the area.

Some parts of Alton are ok .. would I live there now NO! Would I want my children to live there NO!

Like your husband I have fond memories too ...
neighborhood block parties
playing kick the can at dusk
corner grocery stores

I would say since I lived there things have changed ..
Yes there are gangs -- although we do not see them or maybe recognize them
I was picking up a pan from my moms house and my car windows were shot out --- she lived close to housing ....... oh I was informed it was reverse something or another ... I still dont get this .. how it was and they caught the guy and he told the officer he did not use his gun to shoot my windows out - let him walk because it was reverse discrimination .. HU ..what happen to the law being the law!
oh that housing is being tore down because they can not control the crime / drugs in that area -- the new police station looks wonderful - ya know why they picked that area? They stuck it in the middle of the drugs and hookers! The houses that use to be sitting there were known drug houses!
I wont shop there at night

The mall is basically DEAD! the shops are closing and what shops are left look old and stale!

Now I love the antique stores .. walking down Broadway and shopping even window shopping !!

You have a big gambling boat ......umm what happen to the origional one that they sold the town on -- this new one is UGLY and looks like something my child painted in Kindergarten!

What is there to do in Alton?
Eat -- ummm yea there are about 3 decent places to go out to eat at ... and NO McDonalds is not on that list! and out of the 3 .. I would say 2 of them are way over prices for what they are offering!
If you have kids what activities are there? ---- Nothing in Alton

There are towns nearby that are nice .... Godfrey is clean looking and the homes do not look ran down ... I believe they enforce the yard staying clean too!


Ok growing up ( will tell u I was born in 69) we lived in a middle class neighborhood ..in a nice size home ... My friends lived up on the bluffs .......... and in the old Catholic neighborhoods ......... I can recall my grandmother getting her candy at Halloween torn from her hands that she was giving out ........... Seems like when a type of person wanted to take over a neighborhood and wanted those out they destroyed the neighborhood --- breaking windows etc ..
When I was in 4th grade I was beaten up so badly The police were called .. I had long hair and they had to cut my hair to remove me from the bus seat .. my hair was tied to the seat and I was repeatably beat on - went back to catholic school after this!
when I was in 7th grade the jr high had a stabbing ..2 girls ganged up on one and stabbed her on the stairs ..........
businesses now have bars on the windows - wont be long and it will be like E.St Louis

Alton does have its charming spots! The bluffs, the river road, some of the neatest parks in the area , golf courses - 2 large ones!

We live in a town 30 miles away now .... and if I had my way we would be living in the Ozarks!

[meteast_chick]

I don't actually live IN Alton, however I live about 5 miles away and work there. I am originally from northern IL and knowing people that live there and have kids that go to Alton schools, I was more than unimpressed. There is some lovely history but unfortunately the vast majority of the city has really gone downhill in poverty and crime. Edwardsville may fit what you are looking for, as it has some wonderful bike trails around the University, but is a little pricey and considered a 'college town'. My own little town, Bethalto, is wonderful, close by and I think quite a joy. This entire area is lovely with a few minor chips and scratches, and the house prices are low when you compare the IL side to the MO side where house prices are more expensive and you are hit with taxes that we don't have here. You may wish to search under "metro east St Louis". Good luck!

To the person who mentioned Galena...that is nowhere close to here so if they are looking in Southern IL that is not even in the viscinity. Galena is actually in Jo Daviess County, the most northwestern county in Illinois.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by meteast_chick

To the person who mentioned Galena...that is nowhere close to here so if they are looking in Southern IL that is not even in the viscinity. Galena is actually in Jo Daviess County, the most northwestern county in Illinois.

That would be me who mentioned Galena. And the reason why I mentioned it is because they want a small, charming town with lots of history and nice scenery, and Galena is king in those regards. I understand its nowhere near southern IL, but the OP didnt mention they ONLY wanted southern IL, to which I offered Galena. Alton isnt that great of a town, whereas Galena is almost magical, hence my recommendation.

[justpicky03]

waldo , isn't joking about alton its dieing , and many other cities along with it .

Plus there's a 'real ghost " in that town , no joke ... i'll stay where im not .

do some research and you will believe me after you read it . boo

[Central Illinois 1]

Originally Posted by jessiegirl_98

My aunt and uncle live in Alton and love it. Perhaps you should post in the St.Louis forum since this is part of that area.

I was born in Alton and lived for about 20 years in the immediate area. Overall, I do not think that it is a bad town. There are a few areas of town that are bad crime-wise. But overall, the crime rate is not that high. Stay out of those areas and you have nothing to worry about. It is actually in a great location with decent access to most of the STL area. The Great River Road running between Alton and Grafton is one of the most beautiful drives anywhere, with plenty to do and see along the way. Alton is affordable and there are lots of nice old homes in some of the neighborhoods. Most folks that I have met are friendly and down to earth. If you're not into alot of glitz and glamour and would just as soon settle for a great 99 cent burger and cold beer at Fast Eddie's (a great Alton tradition) or take a drive along the river road, Alton might be for you.

[carmac]

Originally Posted by justpicky03

waldo , isn't joking about alton its dieing , and many other cities along with it .

Plus there's a 'real ghost " in that town , no joke ... i'll stay where im not .

do some research and you will believe me after you read it . boo

What are you referring to? Ghosts??

[Altonliver]

i live in Alton, I don't care what you think of it, its a great town to live in. There isn't much crime really.

[Altonliver]

Yea there are ghosts here

[Altonliver]

Hey 2beamissirouian, what Catholic school did you go to, S.S.P.P. , St. Marys, Marquette, or St. Ambrose?

[carmac]

Originally Posted by Altonliver

i live in Alton, I don't care what you think of it, its a great town to live in. There isn't much crime really.

Hey, thanks for your input. There hasn't been a whole lot of encouragement regarding Alton. What area do you live in? Can you answer a question I asked before but didn't get a response on. How is it that Alton's crime rate can be what it is, yet Godfrey, which is basically just next door, has a really low crime rate...why the big gap? Thanks!