Signal Hill?

I'd really love to have some honest discussion.

I live in Belleville, but I'm not from here. I have to stay in the vicinity because of an elderly family member, so moving elsewhere just isn't an option.

I'd like to buy a house, am renting one right now and tired of being at the mercy of a landlord. I found a house I dearly love, but it's in Signal Hill. A couple of relatives have freaked out, as if I'm moving directly into East St. Louis.(I am a white woman and live alone)

But from what I've read, not all of Signal Hill is horrible. There seem to be active Neighborhood Watch groups and revitalization orgs. Even one that tries to buy old houses and rehab them, then resell.

Additionally, this house is on Julia, which is one street over from the Boulevard. So it's not in a run-down section, at least from my perspective. The neighboring houses seem to be kept up and rather tidy.

I've looked at crime maps (diff. sources) and while it's true that surrounding areas have higher crime, this particular area has lower crime than much of Belleville. Downtown seems to be the worst, with Foley Ave and Dutch Hollow also bad.

Am I wrong in thinking that perhaps Signal Hill might be okay to live in, at least this particular area? I don't want to end up like people who loved East St. Louis and then had their homes devalued to nothing, where they were either stuck living there, or had to abandon their homes. But on the other hand, I really love this house, and frankly, the neighborhood.

I've been looking to buy for some time, and can't find anything in my price range that I like in the "better" parts of Belleville.(i.e. east side, which people seem to think is preferable)

Given that I am not a native to Belleville, I have to rely on others' views, plus my own intuition. I don't want to make a mistake and be sorry in five years.

Thanks for any info!

Anyone?

nobody has an opinion?

I would not live in Signal Hill. Just my opinion.

And I would seriously worry about the "dumbing down" of my kid in any school over that way. But you say you live alone so maybe that would not be a problem for you. Anywho, yeah I would say your buying into a sh**hole if you move there and you can definitely expect to have property that is worth nothing soon. I'm surprised anything at all sells that direction. No way in h** I would buy anything over there.

I would not even let my mother take out a second mortgage to get me a house there because my credit sucked so bad. Lol!

read the belleville news democrat - lots of random acts of violence - bricks being thrown through windows on west main - starting around 17th street all the way to east st louis

look at this map - see where the crimes happen

Nicki wrote:

I'd really love to have some honest discussion.
I live in Belleville, but I'm not from here. I have to stay in the vicinity because of an elderly family member, so moving elsewhere just isn't an option.
I'd like to buy a house, am renting one right now and tired of being at the mercy of a landlord. I found a house I dearly love, but it's in Signal Hill. A couple of relatives have freaked out, as if I'm moving directly into East St. Louis.(I am a white woman and live alone)
But from what I've read, not all of Signal Hill is horrible. There seem to be active Neighborhood Watch groups and revitalization orgs. Even one that tries to buy old houses and rehab them, then resell.
Additionally, this house is on Julia, which is one street over from the Boulevard. So it's not in a run-down section, at least from my perspective. The neighboring houses seem to be kept up and rather tidy.
I've looked at crime maps (diff. sources) and while it's true that surrounding areas have higher crime, this particular area has lower crime than much of Belleville. Downtown seems to be the worst, with Foley Ave and Dutch Hollow also bad.
Am I wrong in thinking that perhaps Signal Hill might be okay to live in, at least this particular area? I don't want to end up like people who loved East St. Louis and then had their homes devalued to nothing, where they were either stuck living there, or had to abandon their homes. But on the other hand, I really love this house, and frankly, the neighborhood.
I've been looking to buy for some time, and can't find anything in my price range that I like in the "better" parts of Belleville.(i.e. east side, which people seem to think is preferable)
Given that I am not a native to Belleville, I have to rely on others' views, plus my own intuition. I don't want to make a mistake and be sorry in five years.
Thanks for any info!

You couldn't scrape up $100.00.

Nicki wrote:

I'd really love to have some honest discussion.
I live in Belleville, but I'm not from here. I have to stay in the vicinity because of an elderly family member, so moving elsewhere just isn't an option.
I'd like to buy a house, am renting one right now and tired of being at the mercy of a landlord. I found a house I dearly love, but it's in Signal Hill. A couple of relatives have freaked out, as if I'm moving directly into East St. Louis.(I am a white woman and live alone)
But from what I've read, not all of Signal Hill is horrible. There seem to be active Neighborhood Watch groups and revitalization orgs. Even one that tries to buy old houses and rehab them, then resell.
Additionally, this house is on Julia, which is one street over from the Boulevard. So it's not in a run-down section, at least from my perspective. The neighboring houses seem to be kept up and rather tidy.
I've looked at crime maps (diff. sources) and while it's true that surrounding areas have higher crime, this particular area has lower crime than much of Belleville. Downtown seems to be the worst, with Foley Ave and Dutch Hollow also bad.
Am I wrong in thinking that perhaps Signal Hill might be okay to live in, at least this particular area? I don't want to end up like people who loved East St. Louis and then had their homes devalued to nothing, where they were either stuck living there, or had to abandon their homes. But on the other hand, I really love this house, and frankly, the neighborhood.
I've been looking to buy for some time, and can't find anything in my price range that I like in the "better" parts of Belleville.(i.e. east side, which people seem to think is preferable)
Given that I am not a native to Belleville, I have to rely on others' views, plus my own intuition. I don't want to make a mistake and be sorry in five years.
Thanks for any info!

There is No Section 8 housing in Signal Hills. You couldn't afford to cut the grass much less live there.
Keep your fat stinkin ass in Mascoutah in your section 8 housing Ratster. You are the most vile, disgusting woman that ever walked on 2 legs.

Belleville Resident wrote:

<quoted text>
There is No Section 8 housing in Signal Hills. You couldn't afford to cut the grass much less live there.
Keep your fat stinkin ass in Mascoutah in your section 8 housing Ratster. You are the most vile, disgusting woman that ever walked on 2 legs.

WTF???

I don't know anything about Mascoutah, other than seeing it on the map. What's wrong with you?

To those who answered rationally, thank you.

You others...serious problems. Are you representative of Belleville??? I wish I didn't have to be here in the St. Louis area at all. It's god awful horrible. I've never seen such a terrible place.

But I have to because of an ill family member.

Some of you people just confirm why I tell everyone this part of the country is full of uneducated inbred, groundhog-eating tards.

Nicki wrote:

<quoted text>
WTF???
I don't know anything about Mascoutah, other than seeing it on the map. What's wrong with you?
To those who answered rationally, thank you.
You others...serious problems. Are you representative of Belleville??? I wish I didn't have to be here in the St. Louis area at all. It's god awful horrible. I've never seen such a terrible place.
But I have to because of an ill family member.
Some of you people just confirm why I tell everyone this part of the country is full of uneducated inbred, groundhog-eating tards.

You just answered your own question!

Fairview Heights, O'Fallon, or Lebanon get my vote.

One Redneck wrote:

Fairview Heights, O'Fallon, or Lebanon get my vote.

No anything North of Dupo (Cahokia, Fairview, Belleville,etc ) run down and ghetto. You want small towns that have no ghettos. Millstadt or Columbia!

Nicki please do no move to East St Louis. You will regret it if you do.

Nicki wrote:

<quoted text>
WTF???
I don't know anything about Mascoutah, other than seeing it on the map. What's wrong with you?
To those who answered rationally, thank you.
You others...serious problems. Are you representative of Belleville??? I wish I didn't have to be here in the St. Louis area at all. It's god awful horrible. I've never seen such a terrible place.
But I have to because of an ill family member.
Some of you people just confirm why I tell everyone this part of the country is full of uneducated inbred, groundhog-eating tards.

People who can afford to move out of the metro area are doing so. The crime is bad everywhere. Just stay away from E.St Louis like it was a plague.

back in 2009 wrote:

<quoted text>
No anything North of Dupo (Cahokia, Fairview, Belleville,etc ) run down and ghetto. You want small towns that have no ghettos. Millstadt or Columbia!

Where is the ghetto in Fairview or O'Fallon??

Move to millstadt or columbia if you want live with high taxes. Or better yet, a trailer.

Blues Dot Com wrote:

Nicki please do no move to East St Louis. You will regret it if you do.

What towns do you recommend moving to?

Signal Hill area is a wonderful community. It is diverse but many wealthy people live there. You will like the community feel. Good luck!

Nicki wrote:

I'd really love to have some honest discussion.
I live in Belleville, but I'm not from here. I have to stay in the vicinity because of an elderly family member, so moving elsewhere just isn't an option.
I'd like to buy a house, am renting one right now and tired of being at the mercy of a landlord. I found a house I dearly love, but it's in Signal Hill. A couple of relatives have freaked out, as if I'm moving directly into East St. Louis.(I am a white woman and live alone)
But from what I've read, not all of Signal Hill is horrible. There seem to be active Neighborhood Watch groups and revitalization orgs. Even one that tries to buy old houses and rehab them, then resell.
Additionally, this house is on Julia, which is one street over from the Boulevard. So it's not in a run-down section, at least from my perspective. The neighboring houses seem to be kept up and rather tidy.
I've looked at crime maps (diff. sources) and while it's true that surrounding areas have higher crime, this particular area has lower crime than much of Belleville. Downtown seems to be the worst, with Foley Ave and Dutch Hollow also bad.
Am I wrong in thinking that perhaps Signal Hill might be okay to live in, at least this particular area? I don't want to end up like people who loved East St. Louis and then had their homes devalued to nothing, where they were either stuck living there, or had to abandon their homes. But on the other hand, I really love this house, and frankly, the neighborhood.
I've been looking to buy for some time, and can't find anything in my price range that I like in the "better" parts of Belleville.(i.e. east side, which people seem to think is preferable)
Given that I am not a native to Belleville, I have to rely on others' views, plus my own intuition. I don't want to make a mistake and be sorry in five years.
Thanks for any info!

My opinion is there really is no safe place to live anymore. You just have to be smart about what you do when your out and about. Be smart at keeping doors and windows locked and get a motion light it may help but can be broken by anyone choosing to violate you or your property. You live alone you said so maybe once you buy a house you can go to Animal control and adopt a dog any dog with a loud bark will do. Post beware of dog signs. Love and care for that dog and it will protect you if need be. Rescued dogs are some of the finest protectors and with lots of love and good attention they make fine pets also. Never train a dog to be mean it will back fire if you do. I can tell you from experience that hearing a dog in a residence pretty much holds back most people in general. People always stay off my porch because I have a Rottie and she does her job and is rewarded with a loving home and plenty of attention and care. I have it posted on my front door that she is here so everyone knows. I also walk her in the neighborhood so all can see her. I never let her get to friendly with anyone I don't know first hand either. I never walk her after dark because that's just asking for problems. Good Luck to you..

Oh have you considered Freeburg? I wasn't going to even mention a town because like I said there's really no safe place. Then I read that your really feeling bad about Belleville. I have heard good things about Freeburg but I have never lived there so I don't have any personal experiences only word of mouth information. One thing I wanted to tell you also was that you may also want to purchase at the cop shop on N IL street in Belleville is a bottle of mace and a body alarm I have them both for precautionary measures. Like I said just be smart and no matter where you move to you will be alright. Again Good luck to you.