CWE, Clayton/U City, or Wash Av. (St. Louis, University City: hardwood floor, realty)

[kickazzz2000]

Hi,

My wife and I ( no kids yet) are moving to the STL area in June of 07. I am finishing up my residency and will be starting a 3 year fellowship at BJC/STL Childrens/WashU in July.

When I interviewed back last March, I was very much impressed with the CWE neighboorhood. The fellows took me out to lunch, and as we walked I noticed all kinds of great restaurants, shops, and places to live.

I am very much in love with the idea of being able to walk to work, but my wife is more of a suburban type/safety nut. Having train access is huge, and was wondering if living in and around clayton or U city would be a nice substitute. Washington Av is probably out, but is that worth checking out as well?

The last thing I want to do is live 20 miles from work and have a :45-1:00 commute and have to cut a half acre yard when I get home. Not yet for me.

[Jerry Lauder]

CWE would be great. Clayton and U-CITY plus Brentwood and Maplewood are good. All have rail access.

Renting or buying? Staying after studies?

Avoid downtown.

[rcefstsfecr]

CWE is not an area I personally would like anytime after 12. IMO there are too many bums trying to get spare change from you. It's nothing like Washington, but it's still prominant. If you want to take the train/bus (metro) to work you can do that from a very nice city called Webster Groves. I think it would make the wife happier than the CWE. There is a train stop right by BJC, so look into the suburbs more.

[kirkwoodginger]

You posted a message about moving to St. Louis and looking for the best community. I read the comments and wanted to second the Webster Groves and Kirkwood areas.

These communities are the best combination of urban mixed with suburbs. They are historic communities with fabulous architecture and homes ranging from $200K-1 million+.

They are walking communities with quaint downtowns and very loyal long term residents but there is not the crime found in the city. The school districts are also great.

You can learn more about this area by checking out http://websterkirkwood.com

Good luck and here's an early "welcome to St. Louis!"

[STL_JD]

I lived in the CWE for a couple of years and now live in DeMun. I love it. DeMun is a small neighborhood that is bordered by Skinker and Clayton Avenue. There are a few coffee shops and places to eat. Plus, groceries + freeway are very accessible. It's not a bad commute to Barnes because you can hop on 64 or Forest parkway when 64 shuts down next year. On 64, you are only a few exits to Kingshighway. I didn't read carefully to figure out if you are planning to own or rent. The condos in DeMun tend to be pricey to buy but apartment prices are decent. I highly, highly recommend Phillip Barron realty if you are looking for a rental agency. I've rented apartments in several cities and they are the best leasing agency I've dealt with. NO, I don't work for them. We rent an immaculate 2 bedroom for 995 - its totally renovated, central air, 2 full bathrooms, balcony, hardwood floors, etc.

Just a thought

[kickazzz2000]

Ended up lookin at the CWE, DeMun, and the Moorlands in Clayton. Liked them all.

Put an offer down on a condo in the Moorlands. We shall see.

[SeaBound2]

If you want accessibilty to the rail system and a short commute to work, but your wife likes the feel of the suburbs, I would suggest University City. You have access to coffee shops, restaurants, vintage clothing, record stores, a bank, the Post Office and a library--all within walking distance. The University City Loop is rich with culture and there are younger and older residents in the area. Some condos and apartments are pricey, but the richness of the area makes up for that. If you are afraid to live around eccentric people, then this area isn't for you. It may not be 100% safe, but there is crime all over the city and county; some county areas are safer than others though. Some county residents have a false sense of security however; they may not have drug related shootings, but they might have child molesters, kid nappers, and meth cookers as neighbors -- it's all relative. Give U-City a try. You can get sort of the same feel you got in the Central West End, but you'd really be living in a suburb.