How is "Ferguson" in relation to other areas of STL? (St. Louis: crime, how much)

[Azalea City Man]

I'll be going to St. Louis (Ferguson specifically) to work for a little while.

I have been reading about "good" and "bad" areas of St. Louis. I looked at a map, and Ferguson seems to be in what looks like very much talked about "North County". Is that true? Or, is my map knowledge of the St. Louis area wrong? I've only been there once.

Anyone have an opinion about Ferguson, good or bad? You won't hurt my feelings.

[Djeep]

It would be north county. Can't say anything good or bad about it since I've not been there in the 30+ years I've lived here. Never really had a reason to go to Ferguson. Maybe that says something.

[stlsteved]

Originally Posted by Djeep

It would be north county. Can't say anything good or bad about it since I've not been there in the 30+ years I've lived here. Never really had a reason to go to Ferguson. Maybe that says something.

Mostly lower-middle class and for the most part it is crappy, ghetto and unsafe. Sorry to burst your bubble.

I used to work EMS there and I wouldn't live there if I was given a free house.

[Azalea City Man]

No prob.

I've been there once for a couple of days. Just wanted to see what other people said about it.

I think I'll be staying in a "decent" part of it (if there is such a thing).

Anyone else have any feelings about Ferguson, good or bad?

I'll take all the info I can get.

[aragx6]

I wouldn't make it my home for good, but it's hardly the ghetto. I think people that say things like that have never been to a real ghetto. there are plenty of good, honest working class families there. there are also those who aren't. There are far worse north county neighborhoods you could be in, and far better.

[TGS]

There is a nice, historic section of homes in downtown Ferguson. There is a charming train station. It is also close to Florissant, which is still nice. Unfortunately, white flight is hitting the area hard as the older residents are picking up and moving to the far reaches of St. Charles County, and gangs and criminals are moving in. You will probably be surprised as to how nice North County looks, though, considering how much it is maligned on this website.

It is not the ghetto. It is, however, on the downturn. I wouldn't buy a house there right now, but it should be OK for you to live there for a few years. Don't drive into Castle Point or Jennings to the east, though. Very dangerous. I am not talking dangerous because I see a few black people (suburban sense of dangerous), or that gangs are killing off members of competing gangs (urban sense of dangerous), but dangerous in the sense that gangs are making hit lists of cops and federal agents and there are random shootings for no reason whatsoever.

You will be near the best pizza in the area, though.
Pirrones
Thank goodness I don't live in North County, or I would eat there every week.

[aragx6]

Yeah I wouldn't go to Jennings on a regular basis. I have a friend who grew up there and she thinks it's fine, but it makes me nervous as hell.

[AletaP]

My family moved to Ferguson in 1978 and it was a very nice middle class area. In the late 80s most of my friends "migrated" towards St Charles and St Peters due to the crime. I just moved from there a few months ago and there were cops in our nice subdivision regularly. You're safe working and running errands but Ferguson has a large number of men who walk the main streets aimlessly.

[anr_black]

I haven't lived in Ferguson, so can't say anything about it. However, my old boss just moved from there, and it took her over a year to sell her home, which was a cute ranch in what looked like a nice neighborhood. I'd be wary of buying there.

[nefafefa]

My husband and I - both professional, educated people - have lived in a historic section of Ferguson for the past nine years. We paid $100K for a three-story house on a huge lot, and have not had one single problem since moving in. Our neighbors are diverse, interesting, mostly professional people. We have an awesome farmers market and several good restaurants that we can walk to. We can get anywhere in St. Louis in 15-20 minutes, with few traffic problems. And though our community is 50/50 black and white, and some residents are low-income, crime has never been an issue and we NEVER feel unsafe.

I think the community is especially desirable for empty nesters or people without children, as the public schools are not the best. (Private schools are good, however.) It's also ideal for people who like older homes with character and neighborhoods that are walkable and have beautiful, mature trees.

When our friends from other parts of St. Louis visit us, they are amazed at how nice Ferguson is. Yes, it is bordered by some less-than-great cities and yes, some parts are better than others, and yes, there are black people. Gasp! But in my experience, Ferguson is a bargain-priced gem of a city, and North County in general offers some of the most gorgeous parks and scenery in the whole metro area.

If you want a sterile, white-bread environment, miles from anything vibrant and interesting, go ahead and move to St. Charles. Personally, I'll save the gas money and enjoy my fun, quirky community here in Ferguson.