Gas Fright? Think Inner Ring Suburbs

Greetings from the eastern shores of the Mighty Mississippi River where gas was $4.09/gallon today (yikes).

As I was pumping Regular into the Freestyle's tank, thinking of the good old days when something less than a $20 was needed for a fill up, it occurred to me that maybe the gas crisis could actually be good for the real estate business.(I am sure this is not an original thought, but it was new to me today.)

Before you come after me with lighted torches and pitchforks, let me explain what I mean. Then you can disagree in the comments section.

Here in the St. Louis metropolitan area, you could say that we've been in love with suburban sprawl for a long time. Give me my big McMansion on my half-acre lot and I'll drive a long way to get to work. To be fair, this issue exists on both sides of the big river in our two-state region of Missouri and Illinois.

Now, however, I think the close-in suburbs -- referred to by urban planners as the inner ring -- might be able to regain some of their old cachet. These were the first modern 'burbs, often with a smaller downtown core of their own, where subdivisions sprouted after WWII and families were raised in the following decades. Many of them offer good housing stock, decent civic ameneties, a nice quality of life and -- most important to this post -- a shorter commute to a downtown job.
I limit my business to Madison County, Illinois. We're located north and east of Downtown St. Louis, Missouri. The two inner ring burbs that come to mind first in my territory are Granite City and Collinsville.

Born as an industrial town, Granite City was named for the distinctive Graniteware cookware that was manufactured there. Steel was and is the city's major industry. Today homebuyers looking for a close commute are thinking more about Granite due to the recent reopening of the McKinley Bridge over the Mississippi. The bridge provides a quick zip across the river to both Downtown St. Louis and the major cross-country thoroughfare of I-70. Solid brick ranches, rehabbed turn-of-the century gems, affordable bi-levels and charming, quiet neighborhoods can be found throughout the town.

The city's newer mayor has spearheaded projects to beautify downtown and is beginning plans for an arts district. Wilson Park, with its pools, ice rink, tennis courts, ball fields and jogging paths is a civic gem. Pictured above is my listing, with partner Kristina Pratt, at 2256 State Street. To the right is another of our great Granite listings at 21 Snowbird Lane.

Collinsville sits on a bluff overlooking the American Bottoms all the way to the Mississippi. From vantage points throughout the city, St. Louis' signature Gateway Arch can be seen soaring over the Downtown skyline. Coal was a way of life in old Collinsville which still boasts a big Italian community that originated with the northern Italian miners who immigrated to the area for work.

Brick bungalows, homes with a view, a lively downtown business district and popular annual festivals are staples of life in Collinsville. The city also offers a busy convention center, an aquatic center, new shopping and dining opportunities and a close commute via I-55/70. You're in Downtown St. Louis in as little as 10 minutes.

Pictured right is a Collinsville listing at 908 Indiana.

Gas getting you down? Maybe a move closer to your job is worth investigating before the pump reads $5/gal.

30 Grainey, Glen Carbon, Illinois

Here's a chance for you to get into the sought-after Glen Carbon, Illinois area for less than $120,000.

Dad bought this big, 2,200-square-foot, three-bedroom home for his college kids. Now they’ve graduated from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and it’s time to sell.

The home features a huge, park-like back yard and patio-style deck accessible via French doors from the dining room. The dining room contains a fireplace and leads to a sunken family room. The big eat-in kitchen and some hardwood floors ready to be refinished add to this home’s potential.

With a convenient, central location close to 159 and Glen Carbon Road, it’s just a short commute to the University or the Interstates. Live close to dining, shopping and everything the Glen-Ed area has to offer on this quiet, tree-lined street.

The mud room and utility area contain a ¾ bath and both could be refinished to a higher level for additional living space.

The home is wired for Internet service -- perfect for you Bloggers. The seller installed a new water heater in July 2008 and is leaving a washer and dryer. The home is sold as-is.

See this listing, offered at $119,500, on Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors.

Goshen Gourmet: The Fin Inn, Grafton, IL

If you're new to my territory, St. Louis' Illinois suburbs including Madison County and surrounding areas, you might not know about one of the most beautiful places on Earth -- the stretch of highway called the Great River Road between Alton and Grafton, Illinois.

The scenic drive along the Mississippi River also goes by the grand name of Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. This is where the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois rivers come together, giving those of us lucky enough to live here stunning views and amazing recreational opportunities.

Describing everything to see and do from Alton to Grafton and beyond will take many blog posts, so for this virtual outing, I am going to concentrate on tonight's quick trip along the river to a favorite dining spot -- The Finn Inn in Grafton, Illinois.

Did you know that Buffalo can swim? In these parts, Buffalo is a river-dwelling fish, not a slow-moving wooly Bison. It's usually served deep fried with tartar sauce and a side of hush puppies (fried corn meal and onion dough balls). Some fries and cole slaw complete the meal.

If you're a squeamish diner, you'll want to be forewarned that The Finn Inn is an aquarium restaurant. You'll see some of the tasty menu items swimming past your booth in the large aquariums that ring the restaurant. (The fish tank residents are not selected and eaten like a lobster at Morton's -- but there are many of the same species in residence.) The friendly wait staff can usually tell you the types of the fish that are swimming by if you're curious.

Menu highlights include the aforementioned Buffalo, Catfish (both river and pond-raised varieties), clam strips served mixed with popcorn shrimp and the ubiquitous chicken strips for those who can't watch fish while they eat fish. Lasagne, spaghetti and a steak offering also are given a landlubber nod on the menu although I have never seen them plated and delivered to anyone in the dining room where fish is king.

Cod makes an appearance on the table as a fillet or fritters and it can be deep fried or broiled. Even Tilapia -- which is becoming as common as catfish in Midwestern restaurants -- has made its way to the banks of the Mississippi from its native North Africa.

Dinner guests are urged to save room for Berry Cobbler or other desserts.

Next door to The Finn Inn is the venerable Beasly's Fish Stand and across the street is another long-time Grafton favorite, the Wild Goose, a restaurant that touts its chili. I'll let you ponder who exactly is in the kitchen whipping up that hot dish by taking a look at the restaurant's sign. Hmm.

From Alton, Grafton is 12 miles north on the Great River Road. If you're making the trip during the day, stop at the Visitor Center in Alton to pick up some of the helpful information that Alton CVB director Brett Stawar and his staff have created to make your visit more enjoyable. You can learn more at this link to the Alton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau.