Ella W. moving Jan 10, 2025

Couple moving to Alton from out of state

Hey, I grew up here but left for a while. With a population of 19,205, Alton is a small town. It's a a small town city with about 19,205 people. Rent is about $981/month for a decent place. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. What would you do?   There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.

14 upvotes

1 Replies

Riley M. Jan 28, 2025

Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value school system, you'll love it. The traffic is genuinely excellent and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Fairview) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from San Diego, be prepared for the culture shock. nightlife is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.

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.

14 upvotes