Relocating to STL from Denver (St. Louis, St. Charles: apartments, lofts, neighborhoods)

[lollydurand]

Hey Folks!

I am likely relocating to St Louis from Denver with my husband. My job will be located in St Charles and I would be willing to commute about 30 minutes drive time.

Things we're looking for in a neighborhood include:

• walking distance to groceries, restaurants, bars etc.
• historic neighborhood
• close to jogging trails, parks or gyms
• more urban than suburban

Our price range would be anything less than $1000, though the lower the better of course.



Are there sketchy neighborhoods we should definitely avoid?



Thanks in advance!

[Brickmama]

Look at some ofthe Lofts on Washington Ave downtown. It's an area with a lot of lofts in old warehouse buildings within walking distance to bars, restaurants, and groceries. Also since all stadiums are downtown sporting events and a decent amount of concerts are within a short walk. Check out the Ely Walker Lofts, the Ventana, Bankers Lofts, Bogen, 10th street Lofts, Park Pacific, University Lofts, Windows Lofts.

Other neighborhoods would be..

Soulard - more neighborhood feel with corner bars and restaurants. It's old St Louis at its best.
Central West End - lot of brs restaurants and close to forest park. Mix of high rises and lower density neighborhood apartments. Trendy, sleek, and cool.

[stlcitygirl]

^I would add on University City, The Loop if very popular

[rcjhku]

"My job will be located in St Charles and I would be willing to commute about 30 minutes drive time."

Obviously it depends on where exactly your destination is and where you live, but my sense of the suggestions from the two previous post is that on average you won't make it in 30 mins.

I make a similar but shorter (10-15min) drive from an area between The Loop and CWE and during off peak times and give myself 30 mins. 25 mins is pushing it (I've been late to several meetings).

During traffic... No way.

[lollydurand]

Originally Posted by rcjhku

"My job will be located in St Charles and I would be willing to commute about 30 minutes drive time."

Obviously it depends on where exactly your destination is and where you live, but my sense of the suggestions from the two previous post is that on average you won't make it in 30 mins.

I make a similar but shorter (10-15min) drive from an area between The Loop and CWE and during off peak times and give myself 30 mins. 25 mins is pushing it (I've been late to several meetings).

During traffic... No way.

How long would you say the commute is from downtown St. Louis to downtown St Charles?

[lollydurand]

Originally Posted by Brickmama

Look at some ofthe Lofts on Washington Ave downtown. It's an area with a lot of lofts in old warehouse buildings within walking distance to bars, restaurants, and groceries. Also since all stadiums are downtown sporting events and a decent amount of concerts are within a short walk. Check out the Ely Walker Lofts, the Ventana, Bankers Lofts, Bogen, 10th street Lofts, Park Pacific, University Lofts, Windows Lofts.

Other neighborhoods would be..

Soulard - more neighborhood feel with corner bars and restaurants. It's old St Louis at its best.
Central West End - lot of brs restaurants and close to forest park. Mix of high rises and lower density neighborhood apartments. Trendy, sleek, and cool.

Thanks for all the suggestions! We will definitely research in these areas!

[Brickmama]

Depends where in St Charles. From downtown STL to downtown St Chrles I would say 25-30 mins. Keep in mind you would be doing a reverse commute which would no be near as bad as reversing the commute.

[Brickmama]

25-30 would be with short backup or 2. Without traffic on a Sunday afternoon would be 20 mins.

[lollydurand]

Originally Posted by Brickmama

Depends where in St Charles. From downtown STL to downtown St Chrles I would say 25-30 mins. Keep in mind you would be doing a reverse commute which would no be near as bad as reversing the commute.

Good Thinking!

[aragx6]

I still think those numbers are a little gracious -- downtown STL to the 5th street exit in St. Charles (which would essentially be as close as is possible) is still more than 25 miles. And of course, St. Charles is a huge place and that might push the 30-minute commute a bit.

If you share exactly where he'll be working, we could probably give you a better idea of the daily commute to expect.

However, most of the neighborhoods you'd look at if you headed west won't really save you all that much time because I-70 out of downtown would be such a straight shot. Even living in the Loop (a neighborhood that straddles the St. Louis City/University City line) would only save you maybe 5 miles. You're best off looking for the neighborhood you like best.

So if it were me, I'd look at: Downtown, Central West End and the Loop. I love Soulard and Tower Grove South as well, but those will likely push you over that 30-minute limit. Then again you could get a large, gorgeous apartment in Tower Grove for your $1,000 budget, so that might change your thinking somewhat.