Curious what people think. My partner and I are It's a a smaller city city with about 26,543 people. With a population of 26,543, Edwardsville is a smaller city. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. What are your go-to spots? Thanks for reading. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
27 upvotes
7 Replies
Julia T.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
38 upvotes
austin_lillian
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Maple Ridge. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Skylar Davis
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
21 upvotes
alice_papa
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much developing but now it's hit or miss.
13 upvotes
Leo R.
lol so true
9 upvotes
Michael
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Baltimore about 6 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is improving.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
7 upvotes
Silas Wood
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 7 years. Moved from Denver for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. hospitality 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:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. South schools are underrated. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Bugs and humidity in summer. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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