Belleville's Old Homes Are Attracting New Residents: Here's Who's Moving In And Why

[Sherman A1]

BELLEVILLE — Emily Smith is fascinated by older homes. It’s an interest she’s had since she was a child. As an 8-year-old, she carried around a disposable camera in her backpack just to snap pictures of buildings she liked.

“I’ve always had a fascination with old homes and their character, and the craftsmanship and how it’s like basically living in a piece of art,” she said.

Smith, 32, now lives in a historic home on Abend Street, walking distance from Belleville’s downtown Main Street. She relocated to the area from Charlotte, North Carolina, with her two sons when her husband was stationed at Scott Air Force Base two years ago.

“When we had the opportunity to purchase an old home, I jumped at it,” she said. “I knew this was going to be the time to do it.”

https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/belleville-s-old-homes-are-attracting-new-residents-here-s-who-s-moving-and-why

[murielm99]

1. A lot of work!

We have quite a few historic homes in my community. We live in a refurbished farm house. It is a nice property, but not an historic mansion.

There is one place in my community that almost ended two marriages. It is a money pit.

[HubertHeaver]

2. Why buy one of those when you can have a boat?

Either one will efficiently drain your bank account.