Need help w/ relocation from NC to St Louis (St. Louis: new home, subdivision)

[WestCoDude]

Nettie,

Have you looked into Ballwin, Creve Coeur, and Chesterfield? There are several great Catholic schools all within 10 or 15 minutes and despite the Highway 40 shutdown the commute into the city and/or Clayton is pretty manageable. West County is one of the most desirable locations in the area and I love it.

I think somebody has already mentioned it....but Ascension, Incarnate Word, and St. Anselm are all great parishes with schools (I think St. Anselm has a school....but I could be wrong. I know I'm right about the other two).

It's expensive in West County but you'll find plenty of large homes and the real estate market is favorable to finding a good deal.

[aragx6]

I would actually disagree about the real estate market making it possible to get deals in much of West County. Several homes in very desirable Des Peres (go to Parkway South high school) have recently sold for vey good prices and after less than a week on the market. There hasn't been the correction there as in other areas of the country.

I can imagine Chesterfield, with it's plethora of new construction, could be a place where the market is struggling though.

[NettieNC]

I haven't looked any further west than Town & Country at this point. I was trying to stay within 270 in case my oldest gets into their first choice school (Burroughs). If that doesn't happen, I would be more willing to go west.

The nicer homes that are priced right seem to go very quickly (before I can get out here and see them).

[Bobster]

Prices in St. Louis, no matter which part that you are looking at, have stagnated and my best guess is that they have dropped by about 10% from their highs a couple of years ago. That said, if the property is priced right....meaning at or below where it would have sold two years ago, they are moving.

In regards to getting a bargain, they are out there to be had! Not all sellers are in a position to drop their pants in order to move the property, but some are. If you're patient and flexible, you can get a good deal on a home here in St. Louis....no matter which part you decide to go far!

[Fishtacos]

Originally Posted by WestCoDude

Nettie,

Have you looked into Ballwin, Creve Coeur, and Chesterfield? There are several great Catholic schools all within 10 or 15 minutes and despite the Highway 40 shutdown the commute into the city and/or Clayton is pretty manageable. West County is one of the most desirable locations in the area and I love it.

I think somebody has already mentioned it....but Ascension, Incarnate Word, and St. Anselm are all great parishes with schools (I think St. Anselm has a school....but I could be wrong. I know I'm right about the other two).

It's expensive in West County but you'll find plenty of large homes and the real estate market is favorable to finding a good deal.

St. Anselm Parish does not have a school. It does sit on the campus of St. Louis Priory a 7-12, small wealthy, Catholic High School with strong academics.

[Fishtacos]

Originally Posted by NettieNC

Charlotte is a much smaller, newer city. It does have neighborhoods that remind me of Webster/Kirkwood, Frontenac, and new construction like west county. There are really no areas in Charlotte like Soulard, Central West End, etc.

I like the look of Ladue but really don't get the neighborhood feel like Charlotte. There seem to be lots of short streets off of busy roads and I don't see a lot of sidewalks.

I think I will wait and see where we end up sending the oldest to school before deciding on housing. Like I said in my original post, I don't want to have to get on the interstate or commute more than 10-15 minutes to get to the kids' schools.

Ladue isn't necessarily a neighborly feel that you are seeking. It's wealthy, exclusive, with wealthy beautiful homes. If you like the look of Ladue but are concerned with its exclusivity. I'd also rule out Huntleigh and Frontenac, and a few parts of Clayton and Northern parts of Richmond Heights. Kirkwood/Webster and Glendale and parts of U.City may be more to your liking.

You are correct on your info regarding Charlotte and St. Louis. Those newer construction areas of St. Louis can be found in Chesterfield, Wildwood and further out West.

Ladue, Clayton, and the above mentioned areas all have strong school districts.

You wouldn't have to get on the interstate to get your kids to grade school in any of your areas. The question for some would be would they walk or get there with short drive. Now High School is a different story. That depends on if you go public or private. Many of the private high schools in St. Louis get kids from all over the metro area and even get a few as far away as a couple of hours in some random cases....a wide mix of local in the neighborhood and those from all over the area. If you went public for high school then you would either walk or short side street drive in many cases.

[NettieNC]

Originally Posted by Fishtacos

Ladue isn't necessarily a neighborly feel that you are seeking. It's wealthy, exclusive, with wealthy beautiful homes. If you like the look of Ladue but are concerned with its exclusivity. I'd also rule out Huntleigh and Frontenac, and a few parts of Clayton and Northern parts of Richmond Heights. Kirkwood/Webster and Glendale and parts of U.City may be more to your liking.

You are correct on your info regarding Charlotte and St. Louis. Those newer construction areas of St. Louis can be found in Chesterfield, Wildwood and further out West.

Ladue, Clayton, and the above mentioned areas all have strong school districts.

You wouldn't have to get on the interstate to get your kids to grade school in any of your areas. The question for some would be would they walk or get there with short drive. Now High School is a different story. That depends on if you go public or private. Many of the private high schools in St. Louis get kids from all over the metro area and even get a few as far away as a couple of hours in some random cases....a wide mix of local in the neighborhood and those from all over the area. If you went public for high school then you would either walk or short side street drive in many cases.

Thanks for your input, Fishtacos. I was primarily looking in Ladue because of the elementary schools. I have visited most of them and they seem like a good fit for my 3 younger kids. There are a few "modest" neighborhoods within walking distance to the schools that we have been concentrating on. My only fear is that a bulder will come in, tear down, and build a McMansion next door. I am avoiding Frontenac except for a pretty section very close to Kirkwood (and actually in Kirkwood schools). I saw two very cute homes in Webster that would fit our family but they sold within days of going on the market. The taxes in Webster are also a bit higher.

[aragx6]

Uhh.. tear downs! They are everywhere in the Western Chicago suburbs where I live now and it's so awful. They put this giant ugly house on top of this teeny tiny lot.

I haven't seen this as much in St. Louis, but it is starting. Several homes in the subdivision my mom grew up in in Creve Couer (right near Bellrieve Cemetery) have been torn down an rebuilt. They're awful!!

Has anyone else seen this in any particular neighborhood in the St. Louis area? personally I think there should be ordinances or something to keep this from happening!

[NettieNC]

Originally Posted by aragx6

Uhh.. tear downs! They are everywhere in the Western Chicago suburbs where I live now and it's so awful. They put this giant ugly house on top of this teeny tiny lot.

I haven't seen this as much in St. Louis, but it is starting. Several homes in the subdivision my mom grew up in in Creve Couer (right near Bellrieve Cemetery) have been torn down an rebuilt. They're awful!!

Has anyone else seen this in any particular neighborhood in the St. Louis area? personally I think there should be ordinances or something to keep this from happening!

Maybe you should start a new thread - this could be interesting. I don't know the exact neighborhood names but I can tell you there is a lot of it going on in Kirkwood, Ladue, and Frontenac. Some specific places I have seen: Kirkwood near St Clemens and Olivette near Old Bonhomme Elementary.

[mahalemama]

Hey Nettie
we just spent easter vacation in STL looking at houses/schools ect. We loved the Town and Country area and some of Chesterfield. It seems to be just far enough from all the 64/40 mess but still easy to get around. we also liked Ladue but got the same feeling, houses were very nice but it seemed like everyone was too busy working or something to get out and have that community feel. Have you considered renting for a few months untill you can really feel out the neighborhoods? I think that is what we have decided to do. It is really hard when you live so far away and have schools and all to think about.