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Logan F. best-worst

Biggest downsides of living in Edwardsville?

Hey, Average temperature is around 58--F, so the weather is moderate. The median home value here is around $286,700, which seems about average. Homes are going for about $286,700 on average. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.

Pros:
- Strong sense of community
- Active local events
- Good airport connections

Cons:
- Limited public transit
- Limited dining options
- Lack of diversity
- Far from major airports
- Not enough green space
The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to.
20 upvotes

13 Replies

Audrey Torres
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much stable but now it's average.
38 upvotes
Grayson M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in East for 13 years. Moved from Boston for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.

**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are improving. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Can feel isolated. And community vibe can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Harper Hall
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much established but now it's decent.
35 upvotes
Ruby Ruiz
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want food scene, then yeah this place is great. But if traffic matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
32 upvotes
Daniel Foster
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Riverside. It's hit or miss for what you get.

Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in finance. If you're in consulting you might struggle.

People: Generally underrated. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.

Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
Dominic H.
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 9 years here, that's my honest assessment.
26 upvotes
Ezra Kelly
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
25 upvotes
Sadie M.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
Xavier Flores
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
13 upvotes
Austin Clark
hard disagree but ok
13 upvotes
Claire R.
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's not perfect but it works for me.
8 upvotes
Landon Williams
great question, following
2 upvotes
Ryan M.
spot on
1 upvotes
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