St Louis or CHicago?? WHich one is better?

[CellarBelle]

SC, you are wise beyond your years! Schools here are great, but I've heard some great things about MO schools - especially Kirkwood, Chesterfield, St. Charles (I know I'm leaving someone out - kind of like at the Academy Awards - sorry if I forgot your district!). I think more than anything, Melinda, is you need to keep your options open and do a visit/tour of the different towns. I know you probably don't have a lot of time, but I really would pick a few towns out on both sides of the river and do some exploring. Each town has its own "flavor".

People do tend to complain about the tax situation in IL, but I point out the school district to illustrate a place where one could save $$$ should they want to live on the IL side. School tuition can be expensive and if one is comfortable with a public school setting, I think one would find the Ed schools to be a nice fit. Also, I think you will find the housing costs are lower in IL per square foot. I've heard many people that have looked on both sides of the river say you get a lot more house for the money on the IL side.

Do your homework and keep posting questions - the folks on this forum are a great resource.

Originally Posted by ShadowCaver

melinda - I would hazard to guess that you might be misreading CellarBelle's intent . I believe that what she was saying [2nd paragraph of her last post] is that in Edwardsville, the public schools are durn good, that don't have to send critters to private schools - not as a comparison to the MO side.

Fire away a few areas that you are thinking might be interested in [either side, anyplace] and peeps here will let ya know thoughts and suggestions, regarding the schools, etc. Ok?

[prairiestate]

You really have no choice but to move to St. Louis. Quite frankly, with a housing budget of around $200,000, you could never afford to live in Chicago. Anyplace decent with a house in that price range is going to be a miserable commute to the major employment centers downtown, DuPage County or Schaumburg, probably close to an hour and a half, minimum. The only housing you're going to find for that price close to where you'll likely be working will be a small, older condo. I know of what I speak. I have a decent, middle class income and I own a small, older condo (fortunately I'm single) and I still have an agonizing, 45 minute suburb to suburb commute that's only 15 miles, half of which is on the expressway and tollway. That works out to around 20 miles an hour. Plus taxes are much higher here than Missouri, and they will likely go up dramatically by the end of the year. Chicago is such a wonderful city in so many ways, but the quality of life can leave something to be desired if you don't have a fairly high income. On the bright side, Chicago is just a relatively short train ride from St. Louis so you can visit often.

[melindagrooms]

WOnderful information & advice.....and yes I have found it to be true...we just cant afford the windy city...I would have to sacrifice being a stay at home mom to live there and well I am not willing to do that. We plan to take a trip to ST Louis so I can see if I like it and if it has the IT factor for me! Thank you for your honest advice!

[melindagrooms]

You know it makes me wonder where the common folk of Chicago live, the Walmart, gas station, Waffle House workers live....it is so expensive, I know the pay is more up there but not that much more!!!