All Countries
Gabriel G.
best-worst
Best hidden gems in O'Fallon
Hi all, Rent is about $1,312/month for a decent place. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Should I be concerned? Cheers.
20 upvotes
10 Replies
angel_chef
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely improving and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely improving and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
34 upvotes
Matthew T.
yeah no that's not right
28 upvotes
Lily Anderson
bump
26 upvotes
Jordan
facts
22 upvotes
Kayden King
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 46, moved here 5 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Downtown and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for families. excellent 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
Background: I'm a social worker, 46, moved here 5 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Downtown and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for families. excellent 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
17 upvotes
Amelia Chavez
I work in education here and it's been a really good experience overall. The job market for my field is excellent. Hope this helps!.
15 upvotes
Kayden Thomas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 58, moved here 9 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Fairview and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for young professionals. decent 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 Atlanta, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K 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.
Background: I'm a teacher, 58, moved here 9 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Fairview and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for young professionals. decent 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 Atlanta, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K 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.
10 upvotes
Julia Moore
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it exceeded my expectations. Compared to Portland it's hit or miss.
9 upvotes
Maverick Price
I've lived in South for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- The cost of living scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- The cost of living scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Can feel isolated
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
9 upvotes
Silas Williams
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Good luck with whatever you decide..
4 upvotes