Alton, Granite City, and other communities (Naperville, Peoria: houses, neighborhoods, homebuyer)

[bulldawg1594]

im just saying that since she is looking at other cities in the alton area, not to move to esl.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by bulldawg1594

im just saying that since she is looking at other cities in the alton area, not to move to esl.

Well good thing you set her straight on that, otherwise she'd have certainly taken one look at East St. Louis and thought to herself, "wow, this gleaming little hamlet sure has a thriving, vital downtown area. I think I'll move here!"

[bulldawg1594]

people still move there, don't they.

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by bulldawg1594

people still move there, don't they.

Well judging by how rapidly the population has declined in the past 50 years im guessing its not something you need to concern yourself with.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by bulldawg1594

people still move there, don't they.

If anyone's moving there, it's desperate people with no better options. Not people with the OP's criteria.

[bulldawg1594]

they don't know about illinois, and they might of moved there because it is close to downtown st. louis. and they are looking for a good downtown.

[NancyMilton]

Hi, CCMusica: You can go a long way with $200,000 in the Edwardsville area near the very active downtown. (Even within walking distance.)

I just worked with a buyer to acquire a Craftsman all-brick bungalow there for $114,000. It was not updated, but was a nice, solid house which will be great with some minor cosmetic work inside.

Anyway, Edwardsville is a university town (SIUE) which lends to the diversity and activity throughout the year. Well-reviewed restaurants have opened recently. Coffee shops are thriving and the bars are very mellow places to hang out and meet your neighbors.

Let me know if you have any more specific questions. (And you're right, you can find some amazing architecture in both Granite City and Alton too. It just depends on what area you like when you come to look in person.) Don't worry at all about your price range as you can do very well for $200K.

[goodluckcharm3]

hi, we have been a res. of granite city for the past 7 yrs. we moved to granite city in hopes that it would turn around(we came from St. charles, mo.) but moved to granite with an hopes that the town would turn around . we bought a old vic. home that was beautiful, we came in and put alot of money in the home, in belief that it we would yield a return...however much to our dismay the town has been a HUGE disappointment.. the people in this town that have been here for ever are not receptive to change at ALL. we came in not to change the town but in hopes that we could all work together for the good of the town.(we did many charities)good income, i am a stay at home mom, and always knew where my children were, (our children raised to be respectful, and good grade , just basic good morals and values) however the old timers do not seem to want our kind in town (seems that they are very clicky) so we have decided to move.not just for just those reasons but MANY other reasons ie: school, crime , economy, no growth in any form).but now we have invested so much in our home here in granite,we must rent it out, because of the market values droping so bad in general, but especially here in granite. our home 2 years ago was 170,000 which here in grante that is very very high..now the house is probably worth about half... so it has truely been a great disappoiintment all the way around living in this town... so we have know choice but to rent the home(that is never good for a town)but through all of this i have noticed that many family(which there are not really many good families are now leaving as well. )many parts of granite is VERY dirty. please dont get me wrong there are good people here, just seems that the town isnt doing it end on trying to keep good families, seem to be a snowball effect...it just keep gets worst,rather than better... crime has become a real problem here and that is what happens to a town when it doesnt make chooses for the best of the town and makes choices that is based because of personal reasons.. good luck but i agree that granite city is not the place for you, Edwardsville, would probably a better fit... PLEASE NOTE :::THAT I DID NOT MEAN TO OFFEND ANYONE FROM GRANITE CITY, JUST STATING THING THAT I HAVE SEEN(JUST MY OPPINion)so if you arent one of the people i am refering to this does not apply to you...this is meant to be in sight(again just my opp.) for someone that is considering move here.... AND WE ARE VERY GLAD THAT WE ARE NOW MOVING ON..... GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND GOOD LUCK TO THE PEOPLE OF GRANTE CITY....

[waldo]

Originally Posted by goodluckcharm3

hi, we have been a res. of granite city for the past 7 yrs. we moved to granite city in hopes that it would turn around(we came from St. charles, mo.) but moved to granite with an hopes that the town would turn around . we bought a old vic. home that was beautiful, we came in and put alot of money in the home, in belief that it we would yield a return...however much to our dismay the town has been a HUGE disappointment.. the people in this town that have been here for ever are not receptive to change at ALL. we came in not to change the town but in hopes that we could all work together for the good of the town.(we did many charities)good income, i am a stay at home mom, and always knew where my children were, (our children raised to be respectful, and good grade , just basic good morals and values) however the old timers do not seem to want our kind in town (seems that they are very clicky) so we have decided to move.not just for just those reasons but MANY other reasons ie: school, crime , economy, no growth in any form).but now we have invested so much in our home here in granite,we must rent it out, because of the market values droping so bad in general, but especially here in granite. our home 2 years ago was 170,000 which here in grante that is very very high..now the house is probably worth about half... so it has truely been a great disappoiintment all the way around living in this town... so we have know choice but to rent the home(that is never good for a town)but through all of this i have noticed that many family(which there are not really many good families are now leaving as well. )many parts of granite is VERY dirty. please dont get me wrong there are good people here, just seems that the town isnt doing it end on trying to keep good families, seem to be a snowball effect...it just keep gets worst,rather than better... crime has become a real problem here and that is what happens to a town when it doesnt make chooses for the best of the town and makes choices that is based because of personal reasons.. good luck but i agree that granite city is not the place for you, Edwardsville, would probably a better fit... PLEASE NOTE :::THAT I DID NOT MEAN TO OFFEND ANYONE FROM GRANITE CITY, JUST STATING THING THAT I HAVE SEEN(JUST MY OPPINion)so if you arent one of the people i am refering to this does not apply to you...this is meant to be in sight(again just my opp.) for someone that is considering move here.... AND WE ARE VERY GLAD THAT WE ARE NOW MOVING ON..... GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND GOOD LUCK TO THE PEOPLE OF GRANTE CITY....

Your opinion matters as long as it's honest...and I believe you are being honest. Anyone who's been around this area knows it's true. The same can be said for many Metro East areas. In my opinion, the only towns that are well run and growing in the area are Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Maryville, O'Fallon and Shiloh. They all have good schools and infrastructures. The rest are dying...just look at the U.S. Census numbers for them.

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by goodluckcharm3

hi, we have been a res. of granite city for the past 7 yrs. we moved to granite city in hopes that it would turn around(we came from St. charles, mo.) but moved to granite with an hopes that the town would turn around . we bought a old vic. home that was beautiful, we came in and put alot of money in the home, in belief that it we would yield a return...however much to our dismay the town has been a HUGE disappointment.. the people in this town that have been here for ever are not receptive to change at ALL. we came in not to change the town but in hopes that we could all work together for the good of the town.(we did many charities)good income, i am a stay at home mom, and always knew where my children were, (our children raised to be respectful, and good grade , just basic good morals and values) however the old timers do not seem to want our kind in town (seems that they are very clicky) so we have decided to move.not just for just those reasons but MANY other reasons ie: school, crime , economy, no growth in any form).but now we have invested so much in our home here in granite,we must rent it out, because of the market values droping so bad in general, but especially here in granite. our home 2 years ago was 170,000 which here in grante that is very very high..now the house is probably worth about half... so it has truely been a great disappoiintment all the way around living in this town... so we have know choice but to rent the home(that is never good for a town)but through all of this i have noticed that many family(which there are not really many good families are now leaving as well. )many parts of granite is VERY dirty. please dont get me wrong there are good people here, just seems that the town isnt doing it end on trying to keep good families, seem to be a snowball effect...it just keep gets worst,rather than better... crime has become a real problem here and that is what happens to a town when it doesnt make chooses for the best of the town and makes choices that is based because of personal reasons.. good luck but i agree that granite city is not the place for you, Edwardsville, would probably a better fit... PLEASE NOTE :::THAT I DID NOT MEAN TO OFFEND ANYONE FROM GRANITE CITY, JUST STATING THING THAT I HAVE SEEN(JUST MY OPPINion)so if you arent one of the people i am refering to this does not apply to you...this is meant to be in sight(again just my opp.) for someone that is considering move here.... AND WE ARE VERY GLAD THAT WE ARE NOW MOVING ON..... GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND GOOD LUCK TO THE PEOPLE OF GRANTE CITY....

You are entitled to your opinion. That said, I am curious what kind of 'change' the people of Granite were against.