Alton, Granite City, and other communities (Chicago, Naperville: apartments, houses, neighborhood)

[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.

[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.