Alton, Granite City, and other communities

[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!"

[linicx]

You asked about Peoria. First, Illinois is a farming state. It is hard to find any area that is not surrounded by beans and corn. River cities like Peoria dodge the bullet because the settlements were built on the shores of the Illinois or Mississippi River. You only find corn and beans on three sides of these counties. Second, Peoria is a mid-size American city with a population of just over 100.000, and it is closer to Chicago than it is to St.Louis. Third, Peoria is stable despite the downturn in the economy and it will remain stable. Peoria is old money. The first country club was built before 1900; there are three clubs with a 100 year history; the private clubs number four, private yacht club, plus a public country club and semi-private full-service business club. Two of the country clubs were built in the last 20 years. As to Peoria it offers upscale dining and shopping as well as two malls, several shopping centers, an observatory, award wining zoo and one of the largest park systems outside of Chicago.
If you want Trader Joe's, Costco or IKea you will find it in Chicago. Otherwise, you will find most everything else you like in Peoria.

In addition to the obligatory golf courses, you'll find health clubs, semi-professional sports, performing arts, civic center with national venues,
riverfront plaza, river cruise, river casino and a microbrewery. In addition to its history and culture, Peoria has a very diverse religious community that includes Catholic, non-Christian, AME, Greek Orthodox, Unitarian, plus most Christian denominations represented.

Peoria also has quaint and unique in a county Village surrounded by the City of Peoria. There is also a small city surrounded on four sides by the City of Peoria. In addition to a private University you will find several colleges, country clubs and golf courses in the immediate area. If you like guns, there is a skeet club, bikers like the GPS Mountain bike club. You can sleep with the wolves in a nearby state park or enjoy 8,000 acres of water, camping and fishing, plus a Indian museum not too far away. If you are sick, there are three hospitals, after hours clinics, etc..

It ain't too bad for a little river town. There are also apartments in a nice area of town that are affordable. It is not difficult to buy a house in a nice neighborhood for less than 200K . .