Downtown vs. CWE/ U. City vs. Clayton (St. Louis, University City: apartments, rental homes)

[Sleeping in Skyscrapers]

Hi everyone.

I've been looking at apartments downtown, CWE/ U. City, and Clayton. Just wondering if anyone would like to share thoughts, compare/ contrast, these neighborhoods. Any other neighborhoods I might want to check out?

I'm a young creative-type professional relocating from N. IL. I'll be working downtown. Looking for walkable neighborhood, easy access to metrolink, and great shops restaurants, some night life. I'm looking for diverse neighbors (different ethniciities), and of course, great views (park or architecture) Safety is important - but I'd sacrifice for more exciting urban experience. All urbanites need to escape to nature - so it would be great to be near Forest Park, but smaller community gardens would be ok too. Hope this short description helps.

Thanks to everyone for their input.

[Fishtacos]

South City should also be on your list.

[aragx6]

To me it sounds like CWE should be your place. In fact there are really only two instances where I don't recommend CWE- if you have school-aged kids and can't afford private and can't get them into a magnet or if you have a low tolerance for the realities of an urban existence (car break-ins, occasional robberies etc.)

To me it has everything you ask for- walkable, vibrant, diverse, easy access to metrolink, and close to one of the best urban parks in America.

[STLCardsBlues1989]

I'd recommend Central West End as well. Urban St. Louis - View topic - Saint Louis in August :: 40 photos of the Central West End Lots of pictures there (40 to be exact).

Downtown is nice, but may not fit as well as Central West End, just my feeling.
Urban St. Louis - View topic - Saint Louis in August :: Downtown Part One Downtown pics.

Good luck!

[Northwoods Voyager]

CWE, University City, some sections of Clayton are very nice. A place such as Courtland Hall in Creve Coeur has condo rentals for about $985/mo fully equipped. Suggest you search Rental Houses Home Rentals, Homes for Rent, Houses for Rent, Rental Homes Good Luck to you and you will enjoy the St. Louis areas. So much to offer someone as you describe yourself.

[aragx6]

Why would the OP want to live in Creve Couer? It's very suburban.

[Northwoods Voyager]

Well, there are many apartments, condos, and townhouses available in Creve Couer and Olivette that are just steps away from restaurants, parks, shopping, swimming pools, jogging trails, etc. Have friends that lived in the area and loved it. I guess that is why!

[aragx6]

But it's very unwalkable - you could never live without a car there.

[Northwoods Voyager]

The OP has posted many times with knowledge of St. Louis. I am sure the OP is aware of what is available in St. Louis and the surrounding areas.. My response is just that, a response hoping to be of some assistance.

[jojojohnson76]

In arag's defense, he/she did ask for an urban neighborhood, which is definitely not available in STL County (outside of the inner-ring suburbs, of course).

Your help is appreciated regardless