Worst things about Glen Carbon nobody talks about

Scarlett Watson Mar 11, 2025

OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a project manager, 30, moved here 10 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in South and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The public transit situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K here.

**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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

Silas Ramos Mar 21, 2025

Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.

I've been here 7 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is excellent.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

No regrets on my end..

12 upvotes