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Oliver Smith living

Anyone else love living in East Alton?

Longtime lurker here, I'm a remote worker and The unemployment rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Has anyone dealt with this?
13 upvotes

3 Replies

David Evans
Bought a house here in 2020 and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
18 upvotes
Katherine Thomas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a writer, 57, moved here 9 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in South and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The food scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Baltimore, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$80K here.

**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
1 upvotes
Diana P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a project manager, 50, moved here 12 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Midtown and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The traffic situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Chicago, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.

**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
1 upvotes
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