First post here. I grew up here but left for a while. Median household income is $53,005, which feels on the lower side for the area. With a population of 25,430, Alton is a smaller city. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Thanks! The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
30 upvotes
8 Replies
Jameson Kim
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in marketing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Ellie Young
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value dating scene, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely decent and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
22 upvotes
Liam
great question, following
22 upvotes
Elena Castillo
lol so true
21 upvotes
Bradley F.
accurate
16 upvotes
Ava S.
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
16 upvotes
Sarah Nelson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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