Real Estate Values In St. Louis....where do YOU think they are going?

[Danilo-11]

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

St. Louis needs to clean up its reputation. I think it's started, but it needs to continue.

Actually, when there's bad reputation, then the prices go down.

[STLCardsBlues1989]

Originally Posted by Danilo-11

Actually, when there's bad reputation, then the prices go down.

I know. I mean, in order to grow, we need to improve our reputation.

But that will make property values go up. Hopefully we'll never have a bubble like CA.

[Bobster]

Brickmama: I actually rented a loft on the 9th floor. A couple of different people had tried to rehab it, but it was a bit early in the revival of downtown and it was a really HUGE project. After I left, the building was bought by a guy from California (I believe).

As far as baby boomers moving down there, I think that has already started to happen. I think in the long run the loft district will work, but the city will have to do a better job of managing how many projects are going at once.

Regarding younger folks moving here, that too has already started. I've sold a number of properties to folks who have moved here from NYC, Chicago and Boston. For what they would pay there, they can get a REALLY nice place here and St. Louis isn't the cowtown that a lot of people think that it is (especially people from St. Louis)

Thanks for the comments.

[Brickmama]

aragx6, there is truth to your comments about older boomers having a negative perception. However Wash Ave does a lot of selling for itself. It is no longer the vacant canyon with a few nightclubs it once was. The store fronts are filling up with a diverse amount of businesses. As more boomers move in and invite their freinds over, as more store front are filled with business that cater to all age groups, more people will see ir as an attractive place to live. It is going to work but we have to overcome different challenges than 8 years ago. We need more corporations that will increase the daytime pop. We also need more rental units for individuals just out of college and people relocating.

[aragx6]

Brickmama I couldn't agree more about everything Wash Ave. has going for it. I think it's an awesome place- my mom and her friends (all in their 50s) however, think it's neat during the day, but are still uncomfortable with the thought of being there (or really anywhere downtown) at night.

Not because they are misinformed, but because that stigma is still there. My mom is excited about the changes, but a little cynical that they'll continue. She's glad people are moving back, but can't imagine herself doing so.

Obviously my mom and here friends aren't indicative of everyone in St. Louis, but she has many ties to the area, and from what I can tell, I think their views are probably held by plenty of St. Louisians still.

I have faith that with time it'll happen.

I think that the young college grads are a lot more likely to have an open mind about the city that their baby boomer folks.

[STLCardsBlues1989]

Well older people probably have memories about the stigma attached to downtown for many years. My Dad was talking about how abandoned and dangerous it was in the '80s.

It'll take some time to reverse that in their minds, if you ever can. Sometimes old people are stubborn.

[Brickmama]

Aragx6, glad to hear you like the area but thats all part of a new developing area. Unsure of the are after dark, skeptical the development will keep up, etc... Those things do not change overnight but as people spend more and more time there it will become a thought of the past. Just like other areas such as Soulard, the loop, CWE, S Grand. They were all in bad shape in the 70's & 80's but are now very good areas.

[aragx6]

Originally Posted by Brickmama

Aragx6, glad to hear you like the area but thats all part of a new developing area. Unsure of the are after dark, skeptical the development will keep up, etc... Those things do not change overnight but as people spend more and more time there it will become a thought of the past. Just like other areas such as Soulard, the loop, CWE, S Grand. They were all in bad shape in the 70's & 80's but are now very good areas.

You don't have to convince me I'd move there in a heartbeat if I lived in St. Louis. Getting my mom out of St. Peters however... now that's a chore.