brand new here needing info on Fariview Heights (Belleville, Collinsville: relocating, real estate)

[Firefly12]

I am new to this site but have been reading posts here and there for a couple days. I live in a small town (15,000) in southwest Missouri and am relocating. My husband and I have Edwardsville on our list of possibilities and have read great things about it on this forum. We also are considering Fairview Heights but I haven't heard much about it. Can anyone give some info? Schools? Activities? Good dinning? We would also require a modest home price... What can you get for $150K? Also I don't mind commuting to St. Louis for work, but my husband is a building subcontractor and would prefer to work close to home. Are there new home developments in the area? It has slowed down a lot in our area. Any info would be great! Thanks!

[doll lady]

I don't live in Fairview Heights....I only go there to shop from the central part of the state....it's cheaper than where I'm at.

During the last 5 to 6 years the shopping has really improved with the addition of a new Kohl's and Lowes and many other smaller chain stores. Several new shopping strips were added. Of course the St Claire Plaza mall is still a good thing. There is a wonderful antique mall by I-64/Rte 159 intersection.

There appears to be a large variety of eating establishments and has a lot of chain restuarants....we can always find something but I don't know about "fine" dining or the nightlife. You just have to eat at Lotawata Creek ...it is a great place to eat....I think it is the absolute best!!!!!!!!!

Personally I like it better than Edwardsville due to more variety but that's my opinion only.

Sorry I couldn't help you more.

[Firefly12]

doll lady,

Thanks so much, I appreciate the info you were able to give me. I hadn't heard ANYTHING about Fairview Heights before. We are going to Illinois next month to check out the places on our list and I was considering skipping Fairview Heights this trip but now I still really want to check it out. Thanks for the suggestions!!

firefly12

[letisha]

You should check out O'Fallon, the town right next to Fairview Heights. Great place to raise kids. That area is the place I call home. Lived there for nine years, all my family is there. I wouldn't live in Fairview Heights though, not much for housing. $150K can buy you a pretty nice place in the area. A 30 year old 1600 sq ft place is probably what you're looking at. Property taxes there and Edwardsville are high and rising. Being so close to St. Louis is the best! Stay away from Belleville and Collinsville, they are turning to trash. Shiloh is a nice little town too. Plenty of dining in Fairview. For special occasions you must try Andria's, the best for steak, pricey, but worth it. The mall is nice, many other shopping plazas. Schools in Edwardsville and O'Fallon are excellent. Edwardsville has the University, so it has a higher population of 20somethings. Edwardsville is growing like crazy. Both towns have new home developments. Scott AFB is right next to O'Fallon, so that is always growing as far as real estate goes. If you're flexible with the distance from the city, you should consider Troy and Maryville. Smaller towns between Edwardsville and O'Fallon area, slightly cheaper houses and taxes as well. The nightlife is pretty good, depending on what you're looking for. If you don't have a problem with crossing the river, you will always find something fun.