Best small towns near SAFB (O'Fallon, Lebanon: renting, how much, house)

[Kassad]

I know this topic has probably been touched on, but as a sanity check, and to start stirring the pot again, I thought I would bring it up.

From what I have read, and seen on the Internet, I have learned a great deal (I think) about some of these towns near SAFB.

Here's what I've learned...

If you can handle the commute, Glen Carbon and Edwardsville should be on your short list of small towns/cities to live in. I've read about how nice these places are, but I just don't know if they are nice enough to justify that commute, which looks to be about 45 minutes, and don't get me started on how much gas it will cost round trip to and from SAFB every day. For that kind of a commute I would probably look at Lafayette Square, CWE, Soulard, etc etc..

Which leaves O'Fallon, Fairview Heights, Shiloh, Belleville, Mascoutah, Lebanon if i want a commute < 20 minutes. Did I leave any other towns out?

Of these from what I've read I should eliminate Belleville, or at least be careful as to what area I live in(the west side I suppose is okay).

Lebanon has what looks to be an adorable (that's the best word I can come up with), historic downtown area. That being said how enjoyable is this after the newness of it wears off ?

I'm not saying I am eliminating Lebanon, far from it; I absolutely love the pictures I've seen; I'm just implying that if that's all the town has going for it then I'll pass. The housing and the rest of the town has to be nice, otherwise I'll plan to visit as a tourist.

So what differentiates these towns from each other? It's me, my wife, and our one year old, however we'll be renting for about $1,800/month which puts us in a very nice 4+ bedroom house. I love how much house you can get for your money in these areas. It seems a $1,800/month house in O'Fallon is the same quality as one in Fairview Heights, or Shiloh, or Belleville, or any other town within 20 miles of SAFB. So from a housing stand point it looks like they are all on par with each other, or close enough to call it a tie.

We'll only be there a couple years, and so the school system is a non-factor also. What I think it comes down to is how clean, safe, friendly, pretty to walk around in, the town is.

Let the thread begin!

[sinosinitic]

how small you want? try fairmont city. 5 minutes from the arch but awhole lot like mayberry.

[stlouisan]

Originally Posted by sinosinitic

how small you want? try fairmont city. 5 minutes from the arch but awhole lot like mayberry.

Mayberry? Idk about that...it doesn't remind me of north carolina at all...but if you are referring to the small town stereotype, then yes, i could see that.

Quite frankly, I myself would recommend New Baden, Mascoutin, Lebanon, Belleville, or Swansea.

[Old Trafford]

Originally Posted by stlouisan

Mayberry? Idk about that...it doesn't remind me of north carolina at all...but if you are referring to the small town stereotype, then yes, i could see that.

Quite frankly, I myself would recommend New Baden, Mascoutin, Lebanon, Belleville, or Swansea.

Millstadt is also nice, little more drive.

[IDASpaceman]

We chose Fairview Heights and love it!