Possible move to St. Louis w/ large family needs housing & school sugguestions (Chesterfield: real estate)

[lisalovesabe]

My husband is considering a position at WUSTL. We have a large family, 4 children ages 10,8,6 and 4. I need ideas on areas to live with great neighborhoods, affordable housing ($300,000 or less), great schools (public or Catholic) with a reasonable commute for DH. Small town or university town area is great.

Thanks!

[aragx6]

What's a reasonable commute? That really differs depending on where you are from. Small towns are few and far between in St. Louis if you want to be relatively near Wash U. You'll probably be in a more suburban area, but to suggest any I'd really have to know a little more about the desired commute.

That being said -Wash U is a great University with an absolutely beautiful campus - hope he takes the job!

[lisalovesabe]

Originally Posted by aragx6

What's a reasonable commute? That really differs depending on where you are from. Small towns are few and far between in St. Louis if you want to be relatively near Wash U. You'll probably be in a more suburban area, but to suggest any I'd really have to know a little more about the desired commute.

That being said -Wash U is a great University with an absolutely beautiful campus - hope he takes the job!

If you could direct me towards some areas within a 30 minute commute of Wash U.

[kt12883]

Have you looked at Webster Goves at all? That is a really nice area. its pretty ans beautiful older houses and I believe the schools are pretty good as well.

I would also definately consider West County. Ballwin, Chesterfield, Manchester etc. Very nice area, excellent schools.

GOOD LUCK!!!

[TGS]

If you are looking for an actual "small town," that probably won't work too well since it will be out of your driving range when I-40 shuts down.

Kirkwood and Webster Groves are old "small towns" on the railroad line that have been enveloped by the sprawl of St. Louis, but still retain some of the old town features. They both have great old houses with new construction here and there. Both still have thriving "downtown" areas with cute shops and diners. Kirkwood's downtown is a little bigger, but both would be great for kids. Their public schools are considered very good, and there are also numerous excellent Catholic schools both elementary (St. Peter, Mary Queen of Peace, Holy Redeemer), and high school (Ursuline, Vianny, Nerinx).

Webster Groves also has Webster University right by its downtown area, but it isn't an area that caters to students more than the general population. If you want a real "university town" area, then look by the Delmar Loop (intersection of Delmar and Skinker), right by Wash U. There are a lot of nice residential areas west of the Delmar Loop. The Clayton schools are considered very good, and the University City schools are considered adequate. There are a lot of nice areas east of the Delmar Loop, but the safer areas are south of Delmar to Forest Park. This area is so close to Wash U, I would look there first with a good real estate agent. If you go into the St. Louis City limits, there are good magnet public schools, but most people will go Catholic or private. St. Roch's school is located in this area and has a very good reputation.

There are huge areas of South St. Louis that are probably more affordable, though. They aren't small town or university town, but they are safe, clean, and inexpensive compared to the other areas I mentioned. South Hampton, St. Louis Hills, and Lindenwood Park would probably be the areas to look first. These are areas with large brick homes, manicured lawns, lots of young families, and great Catholic Schools (St. Gabriel, St. Joan of Arc, St. Katherine Drexel, St. Rafael, St. Ambrose). These areas have a lot of small town features (parks, coffee shops, neighborhood grocery stores, delis). The commute would be very easy to Wash U.

An earlier poster recommended West County. That area is indeed great, but it will be a terrible commute for the next few years when I-40 shuts down. Anything off of I-44 (Webster Groves, Kirkwood) or in South City will be a lot more convenient to Wash U.

[aragx6]

I would definitely look at Webster Groves. it's a beautiful area close to all the amenties. The schools (Webster school district) are, from my limited knowledge on the subject, quite good.

And though I think it might be a bit of a stretch you'll be able to find a nice older 4 bedroom in your price range in that area, though it will probably have an older kitchen. Something like this: Single Family Home - 1534 Azalea, Webster Groves, MO, 63119 - Realtor.com or this: Single Family Home - 862 Providence Ave, Webster Groves, MO, 63119 - Realtor.com

[CellarBelle]

Hi Lisa - Go ahead and mapquest Edwardsville or Glen Carbon (Illinois) to your husband's new place of work. Great town and excellent public school system. Also, 2 Catholic schools should you be interested. And finally, Edwardsville is home to SIUE. You can read my other posts about Edwardsville (Glen Carbon is adjacent and pretty much the two towns run together and share the same school district). Depending on the exact location of your husband's job, this might be the town for you and your family. Also, there is a lot available in the price range you indicated. You would be able to find a nice-sized home, fairly new, that would be able to accommodate your family. Do give it a thought, but be sure to mapquest the commute. It might be a little farther than your husband ideally would like to commute. Good luck and let me know if you any questions about Ed/GC.

Originally Posted by lisalovesabe

My husband is considering a position at WUSTL. We have a large family, 4 children ages 10,8,6 and 4. I need ideas on areas to live with great neighborhoods, affordable housing ($300,000 or less), great schools (public or Catholic) with a reasonable commute for DH. Small town or university town area is great.

Thanks!

[aragx6]

Edwardsville and Glen Carbon will definitely be farther than 30 minutes. I would think with traffic it would be 45 minutes or slightly more.

[loveart]

Hello Lisa,

We are thinking of moving back to the east coast - how do I contact you by email ? to refer you to a place on the internet, where you can see photos of our 1860's Italianate home, in a charming small university town, 20 mins commute from Illinois to St. Louis - or I'll give you our email for direct contact - just let me know. Thanks.

loveart

[Saphhire]

Not all of West County is closer to I-40 than I-44. I live near I-44 and 141 (Manchester area), and it's relatively convenient to downtown, where I work.

Consider Parkway South as a possible area. Parkway schools, along with Rockwood, are consider top public school districts in the area, and you'll get more house (and a newer one) than you would in Kirkwood/Webster Groves.

My husband and I are moving to be closer to family, so our house in this area is for sale. Please take a look:
http://1556hanna.vflyer.com/2/index.html