Alton, Granite City, and other communities (Chicago, Naperville: apartments, low crime, job market)

[ccmusica]

Thanks everyone for your input. Actually, we have decided to move closer to Alton, if not in Alton. I know it is rough around the edges, but after talking to a lot of people there, it looks like Alton has made great strides to clean up the crime problem and is working toward becoming a more historic river town attracting tourists.

We actually are looking at a propertly in Bethalto, which is not too far from Alton. Any comments about Alton and Bethalto?

[bulldawg1594]

bethalto is probably a safer town, but there is probably not as much going on.

[NancyMilton]

Bethalto's become increasingly popular with homebuyers due to the I-255 extension. It makes commuting to jobs in St. Louis or other Illinois areas much easier.

[kechm]

I live near Alton and it is okay, has its good an dbad like all places.
I live 20 miles north of there and there are a lot of nice towns all around Alton.

[Central Illinois 1]

You may want to take a look at the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon area. With the economy being what it is, you can probably find pretty good housing within your price range. To me anyway, this area is much more up and coming than Alton or Granite City. It has lots of great neighborhoods, a public university with around 15,000 students, a nice downtown square area in Edwardsville, lots of restaurants, alot of educated people who are active in the community, and, to top it off, you have a small town feel there yet but are within 15 minutes of north St. Louis and probably 25 minutes to downtown STL. The area definitely has its perks.

[ccmusica]

Originally Posted by Central Illinois 1

You may want to take a look at the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon area. With the economy being what it is, you can probably find pretty good housing within your price range. To me anyway, this area is much more up and coming than Alton or Granite City. It has lots of great neighborhoods, a public university with around 15,000 students, a nice downtown square area in Edwardsville, lots of restaurants, alot of educated people who are active in the community, and, to top it off, you have a small town feel there yet but are within 15 minutes of north St. Louis and probably 25 minutes to downtown STL. The area definitely has its perks.

Thanks, Central Illinois. I think my husband and I have decided to stay around Edwardsville rather than Alton. Alton is fun to visit, but it doesn't have the same energy, but rather feels kinda heavy.

Are there any good places to eat in and/or around Edwardsville? I mean really good? We haven't found them yet but we haven't spent a lot of time there yet.

[Central Illinois 1]

Originally Posted by ccmusica

Thanks, Central Illinois. I think my husband and I have decided to stay around Edwardsville rather than Alton. Alton is fun to visit, but it doesn't have the same energy, but rather feels kinda heavy.

Are there any good places to eat in and/or around Edwardsville? I mean really good? We haven't found them yet but we haven't spent a lot of time there yet.

I don't live in that area anymore so I am not sure of everything that Edwardsville might have. One restaurant that is really good is called Neruda. It offers upscale dining and a good wine menu. There is also a japanese steakhouse that is pretty goo, but the name escapes me. I would say that there are not a lot of fine diniing options in Edwardsville itself. This would seem to be one limitation to living in Edwardsville. The good thing though is that you have great access to STL and an almost unlimited number of dining options within a half hour's drive.

[ccmusica]

Originally Posted by Central Illinois 1

I don't live in that area anymore so I am not sure of everything that Edwardsville might have. One restaurant that is really good is called Neruda. It offers upscale dining and a good wine menu. There is also a japanese steakhouse that is pretty goo, but the name escapes me. I would say that there are not a lot of fine diniing options in Edwardsville itself. This would seem to be one limitation to living in Edwardsville. The good thing though is that you have great access to STL and an almost unlimited number of dining options within a half hour's drive.

Thanks Central! I think I will start a new thread on places to dine in Madison County and see what we get. I agree re STL.

[frizzo100]

Originally Posted by ccmusica

I am thinking about moving to Illinois and I was needing some information from locals. Firstly, I am looking for maybe the impossible, but I envision my Shangri La as having a cute/pretty/active downtown with good energy and mid-range homes not to exceed $200,000. I think Naperville and some of those surrounding communities are beautiful, but too expensive for our budget.

I went through Alton when I was last there. I thought it was an interesting town. I have heard it has had a problem with drugs and crime, but I have also heard that it is cleaning up. Granite City has some very lovely homes, but it appears the downtown is pretty dead (haven't been there yet) and it seems to have a higher crime rate, but I really don't know the facts. Collinsville was ok but didn't seem to have much energy when I visited there, but I am only getting snapshots. I guess I am looking for a strong sense of community.

I don't even need the town to be "there" yet as long as it is moving toward revitalization. It would be fun to be in a town that was progressing. It would be nice to be near a city, however, we don't really want to live IN the city (they are usually more expensive anyhow). Safety is a biggie.

Any thoughts on or around Peoria?

We don't have children (we are both middle aged), so schools are not a consideration other than if the local schools are war zones, then typically so are the communities.

If you have any suggestions for communities for me to check out, I would greatly appreciate it. I am open to all ideas.

I would not recommend Alton. There are some areas that are better than others but overall there is a lot of crime in Alton. You would probably be better off looking to move to Godfrey. There is less crime and people take care of their houses better.

Have you though about the Edwardsville / Glen carbon area? That area has better housing, more shopping, more dining, less crime and it is just an all around cleaner looking place.

[Fudoshin1115]

Boffo Bo:
• Edwardsville - the only 'ville worth considering
• Glen Carbon
• Swansea

Floppo Pu:
• Alton
• Belleville
• Collinsville
• Granite City
• East St. Louis "Where Something's Always Burning!"

Other popular slogans for ESL:
"Gimme all your money, b***h!"
"More Dead Hookers than you can shake a stick at!"
"Hey, is that a 9MM or are you just happy to see me?"
"Hold your breath, you're almost to St. Louis!"