Can anyone give me info on..... (Carbondale, Marion: to rent, home, unemployment)

[wantout]

Hi I am from Herrin but moved to Florida when I was young.I am wanting to move with my family to Crainville.I have tried to pull details up on the web and got very little info back.What I am looking for is a home to rent that is under $500 a month and job info,as well as elementry schools.Also would like any other info on other small towns in southern Illinois.Any info on this subject that would help will be great.Thanks

[sunshine girl]

Hey there, wantout. Lived in Carbondale and Jonesboro for a combined 26 years. Never lived in Herrin, but inlaws lived in Crainville. Both probably haven't changed much since you were there so many years ago. Both very small towns, a few chain stores. Jobs limited to wal mart/fast food types or the occasional doctors office or secretarial kind of thing. Basically, low wages. Yes you can still rent cheap in both places, but it will be a trailer or run down house. Getting to be more meth in those areas due to lack of job opportunities. Personally would never ever move back to that area, but to each his own. My grown kids will not return either, there was no future for them there. Sorry to be so negative. The positives are that it is still a relatively safe place to raise children and it is truly beautiful there. But unless you are retiring or otherwise do not need to work, it is not a high income producing area. All the coal mines that once ruled the area have closed down leading to massive unemployment some years ago. Biggest employer is still SIU in Carbondale. That kind of sums it up.

I feel bad for being so negative with first post. Let me try to make it up to you, because you are really looking for information. If you really want to move back up there look into somewhat larger towns for better schools for your children. You will still find some places to rent for every budget there also, but more to do for both adults and children. Try Carbondale or Marion. Herrin is near Marion and the schools there are not bad either. Herrin is a much better choice than Crainville. I think those three towns are the best for schools. Anna would be another choice, but that's further south than you are asking about. My kids went to school in Anna/Jonesboro and the schools were ok. So we had lots of interaction with other schools over the years because of sports. School sports are a BIG thing in So. Ill. Anyway, you will be ok in Herrin, Marion, or Carbondale in both jobs and good schools. All three are safe areas to live. Good luck with your search, and let me know if I can answer anything else for you.

[wantout]

Originally Posted by sunshine girl

Hey there, wantout. Lived in Carbondale and Jonesboro for a combined 26 years. Never lived in Herrin, but inlaws lived in Crainville. Both probably haven't changed much since you were there so many years ago. Both very small towns, a few chain stores. Jobs limited to wal mart/fast food types or the occasional doctors office or secretarial kind of thing. Basically, low wages. Yes you can still rent cheap in both places, but it will be a trailer or run down house. Getting to be more meth in those areas due to lack of job opportunities. Personally would never ever move back to that area, but to each his own. My grown kids will not return either, there was no future for them there. Sorry to be so negative. The positives are that it is still a relatively safe place to raise children and it is truly beautiful there. But unless you are retiring or otherwise do not need to work, it is not a high income producing area. All the coal mines that once ruled the area have closed down leading to massive unemployment some years ago. Biggest employer is still SIU in Carbondale. That kind of sums it up.

I feel bad for being so negative with first post. Let me try to make it up to you, because you are really looking for information. If you really want to move back up there look into somewhat larger towns for better schools for your children. You will still find some places to rent for every budget there also, but more to do for both adults and children. Try Carbondale or Marion. Herrin is near Marion and the schools there are not bad either. Herrin is a much better choice than Crainville. I think those three towns are the best for schools. Anna would be another choice, but that's further south than you are asking about. My kids went to school in Anna/Jonesboro and the schools were ok. So we had lots of interaction with other schools over the years because of sports. School sports are a BIG thing in So. Ill. Anyway, you will be ok in Herrin, Marion, or Carbondale in both jobs and good schools. All three are safe areas to live. Good luck with your search, and let me know if I can answer anything else for you.

Thanks so much.Don't be sorry for telling it like it is...I still have family that live in Herrin and all,they to tell me the same thing.My father lives in Marion,so I might go up for a visit and see if I might like it. All my good memories are of Herrin and Energy,Crainville. So I guess I am trying to bring my past back up again.LOL.As for meth and trash like that.That is all that is in Polk County Florida.One reason I wanted out.So moving from one trashy place to another, far as drugs, kind of beats the purpose of wanting to move.So THANK YOU for helping me out.

[BIGMB81]

Marion is a nice city. I find the people strange, but that's probably because I am from up north.