Belleville vs Edwardsville vs O'Fallon (Chicago, Champaign: upper-class, low crime, houses)

[mcmcl]

I'm looking for an area with good schools, low crime and potentially somewhat liberal leaning. I hear that Edwardsville is more liberal because of SIUE, but the voting record makes it look like O'fallon leans a little more left. I'm coming from uber conservative Texas, so bear in mind I'm not asking for something like San Francisco. Beyond that, I just want good schools and would love an area that I could build something in (either new construction or custom lots available.) Any ideas? My budget is up to $900k.

[BOBNCHI]

I never based any of my moves on the political climate.

[mcmcl]

Originally Posted by BOBNCHI

I never based any of my moves on the political climate.

what's the point of sharing this? This isn't helpful or informative....

[RisingAurvandil]

Edwardsville / Glen Carbon, no question. 900k is far more than needed. It might even be enough to build atop the hills, with a view of the valley.

Most of Metro East is a politically purple fyi. Neither political party is particularly dominant at the moment.

I noticed you posted this in other forums. Any information you'd like to add?

[mcmcl]

Originally Posted by RisingAurvandil

I noticed you posted this in other forums. Any information you'd like to add?

There are a set number of states with laws in place that protect trans individuals and most of them are coastal or in the northeast. Illinois is one of the few that isn't INSANELY far away from where I currently live outside of Dallas, Texas. It is also one of the few that is not a huge increase in COL. the Chicagoland area makes the most sense from a political standpoint, but we really, really hate snow. like really. it's one of the reasons we moved to Texas in the first place. I would love to find another area in Illinois that would be a viable option. The Metro East (the Illinois suburbs of St. Louis) seems like it might be a fit.

I post also in the Washington, Oregon and Virginia forums because those are all states on my list still. Virginia seems risky with their new governor despite having previously been a "safe" state for trans people. Washington and Oregon are just REALLY far and have a high COL compared to where we're coming from.

[FoxValleyTrotter]

Originally Posted by mcmcl

I'm looking for an area with good schools, low crime and potentially somewhat liberal leaning. I hear that Edwardsville is more liberal because of SIUE, but the voting record makes it look like O'fallon leans a little more left. I'm coming from uber conservative Texas, so bear in mind I'm not asking for something like San Francisco. Beyond that, I just want good schools and would love an area that I could build something in (either new construction or custom lots available.) Any ideas? My budget is up to $900k.

I wouldn't recommend O'fallon or Edwardville but, I would recommend Columbia! Named the #6 best suburb to buy a house in Illinois and one of the best places to live in the state, this suburb is around 12 miles from downtown St. Louis. This picturescpe town is often overlooked because it is not in St. Clair County. Its county is actually Monore County, with a population of only 34,000, this area houses quint towns and villages. Columbia has a vibrant downtown and a good public school system. It also contains a major retail center for your needs. Alot of new-developments are being made in this town so new-contruction is pretty common here. Unfortunaly, residents tend to be conservative leaning but luckily alot of residents are liberal aswell. If your looking for diversity, this is not the place to be (97.42% White Non-Hispanic, 1.88% Asian, 0.558% White Hispanic, 0.3% Black, Two or more races 0.93%). Residents in this area also tend to be upper-class, bringing home more than $100,000 a year. With 900k, you could live in a nice house; just don't expect to live like a millionare, the taxes are enough to make a grown man cry. Overall, low-crime, great schools, a vibrant downtown, and a nice shopping center make this town one of the best (if not the best) town to live in the Metro East. Theres definitely more to do than Glen Carbon too lol.

Here is an image:

[FoxValleyTrotter]

Originally Posted by FoxValleyTrotter

I wouldn't recommend O'fallon or Edwardville but, I would recommend Columbia! Named the #6 best suburb to buy a house in Illinois and one of the best places to live in the state, this suburb is around 12 miles from downtown St. Louis. This picturescpe town is often overlooked because it is not in St. Clair County. Its county is actually Monore County, with a population of only 34,000, this area houses quint towns and villages. Columbia has a vibrant downtown and a good public school system. It also contains a major retail center for your needs. Alot of new-developments are being made in this town so new-contruction is pretty common here. Unfortunaly, residents tend to be conservative leaning but luckily alot of residents are liberal aswell. If your looking for diversity, this is not the place to be (97.42% White Non-Hispanic, 1.88% Asian, 0.558% White Hispanic, 0.3% Black, Two or more races 0.93%). Residents in this area also tend to be upper-class, bringing home more than $100,000 a year. With 900k, you could live in a nice house; just don't expect to live like a millionare, the taxes are enough to make a grown man cry. Overall, low-crime, great schools, a vibrant downtown, and a nice shopping center make this town one of the best (if not the best) town to live in the Metro East. Theres definitely more to do than Glen Carbon too lol.

Here is an image:

Edwardsville is also VERY similar to Columbia too but just more diverse and liberal.

[aga412]

Originally Posted by FoxValleyTrotter

Edwardsville is also VERY similar to Columbia too but just more diverse and liberal.

Would Waterloo be a good fit if you're looking into Columbia?

[movin1]

In Illinois I'd look at Champaign or a Chicago suburb. $900K will get you a very nice house in Champaign and an OK one in most areas of Chicago. Property taxes are high in Champaign area, less in some parts of Chicago.

Anywhere other than those areas might not be very trans friendly. Everywhere in Illinois gets snow and is cold in winter. St. Louis can be just as bad or worse than Chicago. Chicago summers are generally cooler than Southern IL.

I lived in Champaign, IL most of my life, spent lots of time in both Chicago and St. Louis. I hated the weather, winter (cold and snow), summer (hot and humid) and spring (cloudy and rain). Fall is the only decent season. I left IL many years ago.

[nyyfanatic85]

I'd consider Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, or Alton. Belleville has its decent spots, but it's seen as a generally rougher area and I personally would avoid it. If you're looking for another option, Alton might be a good fit too.