Looking for Good Family Area (St. Louis, University City: appraise, apartments, trip)

[RhondaHMo]

We will be moving back to the St. Louis area in 4-6 weeks. (Both of our families are in MO/IL) Unfortunately, we have to rent site-unseen for a bit while looking for a house. Husband's office is in Ballwin and I will not find a job until we figure out where our son is going to school, where after-school care is etc. so things will be tight for a bit.

So far I have been focusing on the Overland area (have a friend with kids there)--though someone else mentioned the school system is better in St. Ann? Have been steered towards Afton etc. for good school sytems with reasonably priced houses and today I found a decently priced apartment (with enough sq. footage for us to be comfortable while looking to buy) in Kirkwood. This area looks very nice, though I'm afraid when it comes to buy,we might not be able to afford it. We'll probably be looking at the $100,000-125,000 price range when buying. Cosmetic work is fine, but we don't have the time for a major overhaul.

We want a nice, family oriented neighborhood with good schools and convenient access to roads to Ballwin and shopping, eating etc.

We don't look forward to apt. living after owning our own home for 10 years, but since we won't be able to visit again before moving, it looks like our only option. So far I have not found a good place to find affordable rental houses except realtor.com and the St. L Post-Dispatch, which didn't turn up much. I have checked Craig's List quite a bit also but it seems more geared towards college housing.

Any advice would be appreciated. If you just want to complain about St. Louis, please don't bother to reply! Though I did not grow up IN St. Louis, I was close enough to STILL be a rabid Cards fan, love thin crust pizza and White Castles and Ted Drew's!!

Thanks in advance,
-Rhonda

[RhondaHMo]

Thank you!

We've found a rent house in Olivette....don't think we can ever afford to purchase there but the Ladue schools are supposed to be pretty good and it's in a good location. Will do for a year, while we're looking!

-Rhonda

[HomesickBren]

Hi, I think the suburbs around St. Ann are nice. The last time I was home, I went into an aromatherapy store in the Central West End. The store owner and I talked for a long time.

She mentioned an area called Bel-Nor, and she loves it! (I didn't know about this area). She says the neighborhood is quiet, the houses are reasonably priced, etc.

I don't know much about it, but I planned to look into buying a house there when I get home. I did drive through there on my last trip home, and I saw pretty little houses on tree-lined streets. I think I may have just picked a particularly nice street, but it was encouraging! Bel-Nor is situated between the University City area and the St. Ann area--not far from UMSL. I don't have any information about the school system, unfortunately.

The fact that your price range for an entire house is $100,000 to $125,000 is AMAZING! Everyone who wants to complain about St. Louis (and sure, some of it is justified) should talk to me.

I am so homesick.

[lynnew]

Try Apartment.com, I think that's what it is called. There are short term apartments to be gotten but they charge a little more per month. I know renting is hard after owning a home. But it is much wiser to rent and give yourself time to wander around and really look at what's available. Neighborhoods around that area vary widely and you can be rudely surprised by some of them. Good luck

[RhondaHMo]

Originally Posted by HomesickBren

Hi, I think the suburbs around St. Ann are nice.........
She mentioned an area called Bel-Nor, and she loves it! (I didn't know about this area). She says the neighborhood is quiet, the houses are reasonably priced, etc.

I haven't heard too much about there, but I like St. Ann area for shopping! We're comfortably settled in a small, but nice rent house in Olivette, right off Olive and I-170 (amidst TONS of construction right now!). Primo school district (Ladue) and Jarrod seems to love it. Folks are so nice whenever I go up there. We're very central to everything we need and there's even a Chevy's Fresh Mex within walking distance of the house (when it warms up!).

The fact that your price range for an entire house is $100,000 to $125,000 is AMAZING!

We might have undershot a bit there! I've looked up the tax rolls on the rental we're in, and IMO, it's not worth more than what it's appraised at, as there's alot of cosmetic work that needs done and the basement definately needs remodeled to give more living space, the other houses in the neighborhood go for about $140,000 (just an average, I"m guessing), and they're pretty small-2BR, 1BA types with refinished basements. Guess I'm just a cheapskate! <grin>

I am so homesick.

I know the feeling! The last couple years in Texas was horrible. I was getting reaquanted with friends and family via the 'net and listening to Cards games on XM. I couldn't wait to get back!

Good luck,
-Rhonda

[lgreenwood]

3 Bdrm, 2 Bath, 2 Car Garage, Fenced Yard on Lake (broken link)

[RhondaHMo]

That's a gorgeous house! And on a pond, even. But we're in another lease here until next October already. Like the area we're in and not in a situation to buy again yet.

But thanks!
-Rhonda
Olivette, MO

[patrickg]

Bel-Nor can't be beat for its combination of beautiful, yet affordable homes, and wonderful family-friendly community. My wife's family has been living in Bel-Nor for over 60 years with multiple generations moving back every few years.

We've been living here ourselves for over 4 years now and absolutely love it. Anywhere I can walk with the family and get delayed for hours by running into my fellow neighbors is a place to put my roots. In fact, we love it so much we recently decided to move but will be simply making it a lateral move down the street.

So if your looking for that perfect combiniation of family living, beautiful (and diverse) architecture at a reasonable price you have to check out Bel-Nor. And for those of you looking for a home that is move in ready and a real gem please check out the following:

Single Family Home - 3036 Ridgeview Dr, St Louis, MO, 63121 - Realtor.com

[WalnutPark829]

Bel-Nor is awesome, one of my favorite communitites in St. Louis. Great housing stock.

[WalnutPark829]

here is some great pictures of Bel-Nor, what a beautiful community. and affordable!
Urban St. Louis - View topic - Photography > Bel-Nor, Jewel of Normandy Area