Areas to live - Single professional moving to St. Louis (Chesterfield: apartments, rentals)

[stepping_out]

Hello,

I am a single educated professional in my late thirties moving to St Louis. I have lived in Houston and San Diego and will be working near Monsanto World Headquarters. I like going out for good food, exercise, movies, live performances (music and fine arts), bars and sporting events. Middle of the road to liberal, I plan on starting with some kind of rental (1-2 bedroom).

Any advice on where to start in St Louis? Based on some of the other posts it looks like University City or Soulard? Where do the single professional women live?

[aragx6]

U city is good, as is Soulard, though Soulard is a little more quiet unless it's Mardi Gras. I would also look at the Central West End.

[Fishtacos]

Try the above as well as downtown itself. A lot of loft condos and some are rentals with many people seeking the same things as you. Also, if all of the above fails, try Lafayette Square and Tower Grove.

[Djeep]

...it would make sense from a commuting stand point to look at U City to the east, or Creve Coeur to the west. Lots of condos and apartments in either. Soulard to Monsanto will be an hour each way with the I-64 construction. Same with downtown. I'd prefer to drive East to West or West to East on Olive, or North - South or South - North on Lindbergh. Monsanto is at Lindbergh (Rte. 61) and Olive (Rte. 340). Creve Coeur is a bit more upscale than U City. Olivette is between those two suburbs (in all respects), and is another viable option. Welcome!

[jojojohnson76]

U City, Maplewood, Clayton, downtown STL, Richmond Heights

[Northwoods Voyager]

University City, Central West End, Chesterfield, Webster Groves, Downtown!

[jojojohnson76]

If I am thinking correctly, you will be working at Monsanto right off of Olive, close to Creve Coeur/Olivette. In that case, I would definitely recommend the areas I mentioned. That is, if you want to live in an urban area. Steer clear of the suburbs if you don't, and I would definitely rule out Chesterfield if you want urban.

[bilikins]

I recently visited the loft district on Washington Avenue... Those lofts are AMAZING. It definitely seems like an area where single professionals gather (I read an article in the Post-Dispatch about it, actually). I'm married with a child but I'm very tempted to live there myself... Lots of cool restaurants, art events, etc.

[breer23]

Have to agree with Djeep on the commuting situation. With I-64 having just shut down in a section that you might use to get to Monsanto from all points east, it would take about an hour to get from the city/Soulard/Lafayette Square to Monsanto (assuming the location at Olivette & Lindbergh). I might suggest taking public transportation if you live downtown, but the light rail doesn't travel that close to Monsanto.

If you lived towards the edge of the city (Forest Park, Dogtown) it would cut down the commute down to 20-30 minutes, plus you would still get a city, not suburban, feel. Even some parts of University City & Clayton have more of a city feel than, say, Chesterfield or Ladue or Olivette.

I guess it all depends on what you want in a place to live.

[Brickmama]

I would also take a look at some of the loft/condos on Wash Ave. Its a GREAT place to live.