North County? (St. Louis, St. Peters, Florissant: real estate, apartment, townhome)

[radmohunter]

I think that Hazelwood, MO is a really good place to live. I have lived here since 1978 and in the same house since 1979. There are places in NC that are more desirable than others. Hazelwood Schools are some of the best (on the WEST side). We DO have some gang activity starting to come into the Hazelwood area but it is so far limited and the local PD is on top of it. I am not saying that this area is perfect but the Riverwood Trails & Riverwood Estates areas have some very fine homes that you may be interested in and they are in the Hazelwood school district but in the city of Florissant. There is also a lot of older homes that are nice in this area that are 1500-2000 SF and the home prices are not too bad $130,000- $195,000. Hope you like the area.

[rawethe]

Originally Posted by aminah

Florissant has to be one of the WORST places to raise a family, or live. I know because my husband and I just moved away from there. My son was attending the schools, and had nothing but trouble. There are alot of misguided people out there, and it is not safe. We just moved to O'Fallon, Mo. and LOVE it. The school districts are great, and we are happy to be out of North County for good. N.C. has gotten very unsafe, and there are also gangs forming. STAY AWAY FROM FLORISSANT...FOR YOUR OWN GOOD!

Stick west and you'll be fine. This individual is probably talking closer to north CITY insteady of COUNTY....there is a big difference and just a few miles makes all the difference. However if you visit your location when looking at your house/rental you'll know immediatly. Hazelwood schools are good. I have lived in just about every corner of St. Louis- even the Illinois side.

Good luck!

[northbayeric]

Having been born and raised in Florissant, and away from there for 21 years except for brief visits, it's distressing that a number of people have said that it's taken a nose dive. Would any of you say that this is the case for the entire city, or just the area around Cross Keys, or the Grandview shopping center, or other places? I wonder if the area around Shackelford Road and Sunset Park is still OK?

Do any of you have any opinions of Mayor Robert Lowery? Mayor James Eagan had served pretty much the entire time I lived there, and I remember that Florissant was renowned for its outstanding police department and for being one of the safest cities of its size in the entire country (I had a bike stolen once, but used to play tag and hide-and-seek with the neighborhood kids near Robinwood School until 10 at night or so).

My wife and I were really positive about Fenton and still are, but have decided instead to relocate to the St. Joseph area for its greater affordability, rich history, and for being a brand-new area for the both of us.

[21mm397]

Does anyone have any information about Trotwood Brittany Apartments in Hazelwood? They have very large townhomes for rent. What is the area like? The arial photo shows them close to the interstate.

[TGS]

Honestly, I think you should also look at South County, along I-44 and I-55. The Mehlville and Oakville school districts are great. Fox and Affton school districts are also ok. Kirkwood, Webster Groves, and Lindbergh school districts are also good but might be out of your price range. You will find the same Catholic areas as North County, but without the bad rap. There have been some gang incidents in previously nice areas of North County lately that are troubling. Many areas are safe for now but it is already hurting housing values and people are have been moving away into St. Charles County for years. Your commute to work at SLU may also be easier since you won't have to pass though downtown or North City.

There are some nice areas in St. Louis City very close to SLU, if you can handle paying Catholic school tuition ($4-5K/year). The Hill is very safe and only a five minute drive from SLU. Southampton is also very nice and full of great families.

[21mm397]

Thanks to everyone for your replies!
TGS, I am seriously looking at South County, especially Affton, Bayless, and Mehlville areas. I've been told by people I will be working with that these are good schools, and looking on-line, housing seems to be in my price range. Thanks again,
Chuck

[stlsteved]

Originally Posted by 21mm397

Thanks to everyone for your replies!
TGS, I am seriously looking at South County, especially Affton, Bayless, and Mehlville areas. I've been told by people I will be working with that these are good schools, and looking on-line, housing seems to be in my price range. Thanks again,
Chuck

I live in the Bayless district...the area is great for the price, but I am not so sure about the schools. We don't have kids yet, but plan to definitely move out of the district before we do. Try to stick to the Affton/Lindbergh/Mehlville districts.

Choosing South County over North County will be the best decision you have ever made. I was a paramedic in North County for several years, and even though (western)Florrisant and Hazelwood are the best areas, I still wouldn't live there if you paid me.

If you have any more questions about the area, let me know and I will be glad to try and answer them.

[21mm397]

Thanks Stlsteved,
Fox School District, is that in the Fenton area, or Arnold? How long a commute would that be to the downtown VA? From a specific address in Fenton, Google Maps shows it using I-44 as 27 miles and taking about 33 minutes. Is this accurate for a morning commute? I'll probably be reporting to work between 7:00 and 7:30am.
Thanks,
Chuck

[northbayeric]

I believe the Fox School District is in Arnold. I know for sure the Rockwood School District covers a portion of Fenton, and I think the Lindbergh School District also covers a part of Fenton, too.

EDIT: Actually, now that I think of it, the Fox School District might cover the far southern area of Fenton too, between Highways 30 and 21.

[stlsteved]

Originally Posted by 21mm397

Thanks Stlsteved,
Fox School District, is that in the Fenton area, or Arnold? How long a commute would that be to the downtown VA? From a specific address in Fenton, Google Maps shows it using I-44 as 27 miles and taking about 33 minutes. Is this accurate for a morning commute? I'll probably be reporting to work between 7:00 and 7:30am.
Thanks,
Chuck

Chuck:

Fox is in Arnold...which is Jefferson County, but I think it touches Fenton if I remember correctly..I don't know too much about it, but from what I remember it isn't a bad district....living there would be a bit far out for me personally...but I prefer a busier, more urban area.

I would leave yourself at least 45 minutes for that commute to the VA, or maybe longer because of the Highway 40 construction (people looking to avoid the construction will more than likely opt for I-44)...I-44 is usually pretty decent in the morning, but it can lull you into a sense of complacency and throw a traffic jam at you one morning, for any number of reasons, and *********r whole routine up.