Carbondale (Chicago, Marion: housing, campus, suburbs)

[montiel735]

How is the town? I looked in SIU and I like the school yet I hear negative things about the living conditions in carbondale. "Its an economically depressed area". I would really appreciate it if someone can tell me their thoughts. Thanks

[JerichoHW]

I'd just call it a rural area, it has a Western Kentucky culture about it but it doesn't seem so bad to me.

[montiel735]

Are there alot of farms and crops there?

[djbridgeland]

Well I went to SIU. There is some farming in the area, but it's mostly raising livestock. Don't remember seeing many fields, lots of forests and hilly areas. Some parts of the city are a little run down, but mostly your typical college town.

[montiel735]

Oh thanks DJ.

[zach_33]

I lived there during middle school, back during the early 80s and still go back to visit every so oftem. The married student housing is pretty dumpy. there are some nice areas on the outskirts of town. I think students like it though because there are always house parties around campus. Giant City State Park offers good outdoor activities. Awesome student recreation center. Plenty of bars and restaurants along "the Strip." Funny as it may sound, I think it is considered the economic and cultural center of southern Illinois, mostly due to its being home to SIU.

[BLS2753]

The campus is pretty much self-contained. Many from upstate ride Amtrak to and from, and never leave the campus, and the immediate surrounding area of stores, bars, and cafes.

Outside that area, the community will be somewhat of a culture shock to those whose sum life experience has been lived in Chicagoland.

I would say Marion is moreless the economic center of far southern IL. Although culturally, SIU would be. But I would not include the rest of Carbondale in that regard.

[At1WithNature]

three to four hundred thousand dollars will get you a house that would cost you at least a million dollars here in the suburbs of chicago. that area of illinois is beautiful and strange in the sense that it is tucked between st. louis and kentucky. about 60% of Jackson County is or has been on some sort of government assistance. Naturally Jackson County is where the city of Carbondale is. They have nice weather, save for the ice storms.

[BLS2753]

Originally Posted by At1WithNature

three to four hundred thousand dollars will get you a house that would cost you at least a million dollars here in the suburbs of chicago. that area of illinois is beautiful and strange in the sense that it is tucked between st. louis and kentucky. about 60% of Jackson County is or has been on some sort of government assistance. Naturally Jackson County is where the city of Carbondale is. They have nice weather, save for the ice storms.

I don't understand what's strange about the geography. All states have boundaries.

[BLS2753]

By the way. It's Missouri and Kentucky. St. Louis is a city, and is 100 miles northwest of Carbondale.