Well, yes and no. My S&BIL first bought a home in an area of NJ with lots of acreage, horse country; but still commutable (although a trek if going into NYC). However, my sister is in a very unique situation as she telecommutes for a telecommunications company.

It took a loooong time for them to make the decision to move WITHIN a state they both knew very well. And yes, they moved farther out, so now when my sister does have to go in to the office, she really has a hike. However, she finds the positives outweigh any negatives (and she still works from home). But my point is this, they took their time and did a lot of research (visited the areas they were interested in quite often and did the drives during peak times). They weren't running away from anything and were careful to consider how their sons would adjust. They know their neighbors and were made to feel welcomed. But I could say the same about where I live. It's all relative and certainly what you make out of life.

"It's all relative and certainly what you make out of life." I agree!

Where is Melissa? We would ove to help with a bit more info??

I will go ahead and vouch for the East side, since I was born, raised and still live there. I live in Glen Carbon, IL. Its about 15 miles northeast of downtown. Its a small town of 10,000 people, and very close to Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. While I do not really think of it as a "know your neighbor" kind of place, it is fairly small and feels quite removed from the city. However, if you go a few miles north, east or south of where I am you can easily be out of the main suburbs and into more of a rural area. If you are interested in Illinois, check out towns like Waterloo, New Baden, Mascoutah, Highland and maybe Red Bud.

And trust me, the traffic isn't that bad. Sure, its been a nightmare for the last few months as the bridge has been resurfaced, but I can usually get to work (I work downtown) within a half an hour of the time I leave my house. This is probably faster than most of my co-workers who actually live in Missouri.

Tracy

Hi again, Tracy. We seem to be running into each other all over the place today! Just wanted to say that my SIL and husband live in Glen Carbon. I believe he was born and raised there too. You say it's not a "know everyone" kind of place. I'd be curious to know whether you know him or his family!
The family name is Scheibal. I believe he comes from quite a large family, maybe 10 or 11 siblings.

Hi, folks- look over at "small town America"- the predecessor of this thread, and you'll get a better idea of what Melissa's looking for (STA was frozen....)

LOL, mooselywild, no we still don't have a good idea what Melissa wants. Her one lengthy response, on that other thread, was actually someone elses' words.

Yeah, but that's sort of what she's looking for....

which is why the St. Louis thread is a bit puzzling I'd think St Louis area is more city/suburb...unless you're a serious commuter.

CAPH, what a small world! I was sure that most people wouldn't know what Glen Carbon was! I'm racking my brain trying to figure out if I recall that name! I have lived in Illinois all my life, but I've only lived in Glen Carbon for about four years now. I did go to Edwardsville Junior High and High School for a short period of time, I believe in 92-94. I bet I've seen at least one member of the family at Target or Schnucks though, and just didn't know it!

Tracy

I'll bet you have, Tracy! Actually, my SIL's husband probably would have been in high school in the late 70's/early 80's. But I think he was one of, if not the, oldest. Thanks for responding though!

BTW, all of those towns you mentioned were familiar to me. I think you and I had this conversation once a while back, but I grew up in Breese (Clinton County).

Okay, I will now stop highjacking this thread!

CAPH52, I think we have had this conversation! I remember thinking "wow, another Illinoiser on this board who isn't from Chicago?!" I am familiar with Breeze. We used to go through it on the way to Carlyle Lake every summer. We would stop at a small ice cream stand that had amazing vanilla malts. Although last time I went through Breeze that "little ice cream stand" is now a large custard shop with indoor seating and lots of neon lighting!

Tracy

Hi again, Tracy. Not to be rude, but it's Breese, with an s. Named after a judge from Carlyle, I think.

The place you're talking about is Dairy King. I'm pretty sure it was there already when my family moved to Breese in 1956! I'd say it was within the last five years that it expanded, adding the indoor seating.

But the real gem is Wally's, across the street (but on the same side of the highway) from Dairy King. Best hamuburgers ever! My kids feel cheated anytime we visit their grandma and end up leaving without getting a Wallyburger! When I was growing up it was the place to see and be seen! Especially after dances, high school basketball games, etc. They still had car hops back then too! It's still a very busy place. But no longer a "hang out". It closes at 7:30 these days!

Next time you're passing through Breese, stop at Wally's for a burger and a cherry Ski!

How is it that I can preview and still miss something like "hamuburger"?!

It makes me want to take a short road trip to have a burger for lunch there!!
What is a cheery ski?

Ski is a citrus soda very, very similar to Mountain Dew. I think it's actually made in Chatanooga, TN. But the small bottling plant in Breese bottles it. And it's extremely popular there. A cherry Ski is the fountain version with cherry syrup, the Ski equivalent of a cherry Coke.

I don't know whether anyone reading this thread would have noticed the posts on FF R&R in which kybourbon and starrsville talked about the pomegranate liquor that kybourbon took to the Atlanta GTG. But kybourbon mentioned mixing it with Ale-8-1, a ginger ale type soda that's very popular in Lexington, Ky. Well, Ski is to Breese what Ale-8-1 is to Lexington.

In these times of brand names and chains, when people all over the country (and, in fact, all over the world) eat and drink so many of the same things, I find these almost cult-like followings of small, independent brands in a particular area to be really facinating. And encouraging! It's good to know that we haven't become completely homogenized!

It sounds very refreshing! I must try it!!

I agree with the smaller "cult" type brands. have you had Jones soda before? They have a diet Black cherry cola that is to die for! It is actually sold in STL Bread Co, restaurants.

have you ever been to Straub's Grocery? They sell about 20+ varieties of micro brewed root beers........ Oh I think i will over and get one now!!

I love Ski! The Lebanon car wash still sells it in their vending machine! I have never had a cherry ski though, so I must try it. Next time we go through Breese I will give Wally's a try!

annesherrod, I love Straubs! One of the few places that sells take-home gelato in small cartons. Not bad, although it obviously doesn't rival the real thing in Italy! I also love the selection of cheeses and chocolates at Straubs. It's just a neat grocery store to browse through, since they carry many things that can't be found in Dierbergs or Schnucks.

Tracy

Straub's brand cinnamon ice cream is beyond wonderful!!

I am finally back.We are busy getting ready for our Europe Trip .
I don't understand what the problem is.We are not running from anything.
We are just tired of life in NJ.
Our house , which has a value of $500,000 has property taxes of our $12,000.My husband is used to a long commute of a hour or so ,so that is not a issue. We have very little property in NJ so we are looking for more land. We still want to go to the theater, be able to travel,and go to museums.He has looked at jobs in St Louis and feels that he can get a job that he likes.That is why we feel that St louis might be right for us.On the other hand, it might not be .That is why we are doing research.
Melissa

Melissa, between the 2 metro areas of Missouri, you might consider KC instead of St. Louis.
St. Louis is an "Eastern City", KC a "Western City".
Much newer, lower density,easier living, and the JoCo schools om the Ks. side are great.
What does your hub do?