Pontoon Beach, Illinois, is home of the historic Cahokia Mounds State Historic site, directly across the Mississippi river from St. Louis, Missouri. Cahokia was the site of an ancient and hugely influential native American city, which was instrumental in developing advanced societies across what is now the Southeastern USA. Today, Cahokia Mounds is a fascinating tourist attraction and a must-see for visitors and residents of the area alike.
Don't let the name fool you -- Pontoon Beach is not a beach town
Pontoon Beach, Illinois, is home of the historic Cahokia Mounds State Historic site, directly across the Mississippi river from St. Louis, Missouri. Cahokia was the site of an ancient and hugely influential native American city, which was instrumental in developing advanced societies across what is now the Southeastern USA. Today, Cahokia Mounds is a fascinating tourist attraction and a must-see for visitors and residents of the area alike.
Don't let the name fool you -- Pontoon Beach is not a beach town. Nestled up against the great Mississippi River, Pontoon Beach is that quintessential sleepy little river town. Close enough to St. Louis, Missouri, to benefit from its attractions and amenities, it escapes being isolated and instead rests comfortably as a quiet country village. Pontoon Beach has a mild climate, a significantly low cost of living, and a high per capita income. Housing costs are lower than average, so you could afford something just a bit nicer on a smaller budget. It's also just a hop, skip, and a jump to Granite City, Collinsville, or St. Louis, so commuting to the next town for work is easy as well.
Moving to Pontoon Beach
If you're planning to move to Pontoon Beach, make sure you gather up all your personal documents like bank statements, tax returns, letters of employment, and more. Also, be prepared to have your new landlord do a credit check. A potential landlord is going to want to make sure that you're going to be an awesome tenant and pay your rent on time.
Pontoon Beach Neighborhoods
Yes, Pontoon Beach is a small place, but it has its own neighborhoods. Check out more about different areas where you might want to live in Pontoon Beach below. This could help save you time and energy on your housing search!
Village Center: The village center of Pontoon Beach is in the northwestern corner of town. Even though it's a town center, it's mainly residential, with lots of rental apartments to be found. There are also good restaurants in this area, like Ravanelli's, so look here if you like to go out to eat near your one-bedroom apartment.
State Park Place: This is the biggest neighborhood in Pontoon Beach. There are many parks in this area, like Horseshoe park. This probably isn't the best place to try renting an apartment in Pontoon Beach, because it's pretty unpopulated. Look elsewhere for your studio for rent.
Living in Pontoon Beach
While Pontoon Beach is small, there is still plenty to do. Cahokia Mounds, of course, is a must-not-miss piece of local history that needs to be seen, but there is more. Explore the Madison County Transit trails by roller blade, bike, or on foot; check out the city museum (where else would you find a museum with a four-story Ferris wheel on its rooftop?) and visit the Gateway Arch. Don't miss getting breakfast at Hen House in nearby Granite City, and you have to visit Bogart's Smokehouse in St. Louis -- the pulled pork is to die for! And be sure to join the locals for the annual Party At The Beach Festival, which offers musical fun and a carnival to boot!
If small-town life is for you, start researching your options for work, schools, and neighborhoods, and come and set up your new home on the banks of the Mississippi.
