Hey, I'm a nurse at the local hospital and You can expect to pay around $819 for rent here. The unemployment rate is 2.2%, which is pretty low. With a population of 5,729, East Alton is a small town. Rent is about $819/month for a decent place. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. What do you all think? It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
13 upvotes
15 Replies
David H.
good to know, thanks
37 upvotes
Audrey Kim
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 49, moved here 5 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in North and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The nightlife situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
36 upvotes
Sophie Mitchell
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 14 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
36 upvotes
Silas Brooks
100%
36 upvotes
Naomi Moore
same here
30 upvotes
Olivia Gonzalez
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are pricey. You get used to it after the first year.
25 upvotes
Angela L.
yep
21 upvotes
Lucas Bailey
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 9 years. Moved from Phoenix for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are decent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Far from beaches/mountains. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Henry Patel
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. the quality of life is solid. Compared to Boston it's underrated.
17 upvotes
Nora Bennett
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 3-bed in Eastside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in finance. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like seafood.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Scarlett Cook
I work in real estate here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is tough. Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
dominic_fan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 52, moved here 15 years ago from New York. I've lived in Meadowbrook and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The school system situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for young professionals. solid 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 New York, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
15 upvotes
columbusvibes2022
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from San Francisco about 12 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is excellent.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Happy to answer more specific questions..
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