Brick c.1930 Illinois Fixer Upper With Original Elements Reduced to $28K

720 N 24th St, East Saint Louis, IL 62205   $39,900 Reduced to $28,000

• Contact Realtor: Monica Mahtani
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Pros of East Saint Louis, IL

1. Very Low Cost of Living / Affordable Housing

   • Cost of living is ~20–23% below national average.

   • Housing is very inexpensive. Median home values are quite low (~$50,000‑$60,000) in many areas.

   • Rent is also relatively low.

2. Proximity to St. Louis, MO, Access to Metro Area Amenities

   • You’re very close to St. Louis, which means access to jobs, cultural amenities, shopping, transit, etc. Commuting across the river is feasible.

   • There is public transportation (MetroLink / Bus) that connects to the St. Louis area.

3. Upper Potential for Redevelopment / Investment

   • Some new housing efforts are underway. For example, nonprofit / community development housing projects like Lansdowne Park are pushing new construction.

   • Because property is so cheap, it’s possible for investment or for people willing to do renovation or risk to get more “bang for the buck.”

4. Character, History & Community Roots

   • There is architectural character: older homes (craftsman, brick‑facade etc), classic single‑family housing. Some neighborhoods have older charm.

   • Strong local identity; people who live there often express pride, resilience, community bonds.

Cons of East Saint Louis, IL

1. High Poverty / Low Income Levels

   • The poverty rate is very high — ~30‑31% or more of residents live below the poverty line.

   • Median household income is very low (around ~$24,000/year in one source) versus much higher national average.

   • Unemployment is also high (in some reports ~13%) significantly above national averages.

2. Crime and Safety Concerns

   • Violent crime in East St. Louis is well above the national average; the city has had one of the worst crime rankings in Illinois.

   • Property crime is also a concern. Neighborhood safety varies a lot; some areas are much worse than others.

3. Urban Decay / Blight / Infrastructure Problems

   • Many abandoned buildings, overgrown lots, vacant properties. Urban blight is a major issue.

   • Sewer systems and some utility/infrastructure are reportedly inadequate; regular problems with backups, flooding, etc.

   • Roads, public services (maintenance, street lighting, etc.) are often in poor condition. Residents report infrastructure neglect.

4. Limited Local Schools & Education Outcomes

   • Educational attainment is relatively low. Only a small percentage have college degrees.

   • Schools don’t always have strong performance metrics.

5. Health, Environment & Pollution Issues

   • The city has a lot of “brownfields” and industrial legacy contamination. Former industrial sites, Superfund / environmental hazard locations.

   • Some health indicators (physical health, quality of care access) are worse than state/national averages.

6. Declining Population & Eroding Tax Base

   • The population has dropped significantly over the decades, which means fewer people to support local businesses, schools, services, and taxation.

   • With fewer resources, it’s harder to maintain or upgrade infrastructure, public services, etc.

7. Perception / Stigma & Variable Neighborhood Quality

   • Because of crime and visible decay, there’s a strong negative reputation which can affect investment, property values, etc.

   • Neighborhood quality can vary dramatically. Some areas are much safer / better maintained; others are in very poor condition. So location matters a lot.