lifetime New Yorker seeks Refuge! (St. Louis, Springfield: condos, to buy, law school)

[aragx6]

The Central West End is very diverse, probably skewed Caucasian, but diverse nonetheless. Downtown is probably a pretty similar demographic.

For more info on the CWE (which has links to demographic info) see their Web site.

[STLCardsBlues1989]

Welcome to St. Louis, Dana!

As far as diversity, North St. Louis City is majority black (from my understanding) and South St. Louis is mostly white, but I think both are fairly accepting.

North City has been neglected over the years, but it's on the rise. It's more known for crime, but there are some nice neighborhoods there and some beautiful old buildings.

South City is generally considered safer. Lafayette Square will generally be more expensive. Soulard is a nice area as well and has the farmer's market. Tower Grove has some nice areas I think. I don't believe there's MetroLink to South City, though, just buses.

The Central West End may be more diverse racially, as well as University City (a suburb, not in the city). Clayton is wonderful, too, but it's more expensive and farther from the city core.

Southwest of the city there are some maybe more affluent neighborhoods such as St. Louis Hills, which has some beautiful brick buildings and is generally safe.

The area around Forest Park has some beautiful homes that were built for the 1904 World's Fair. And Forest Park itself is bigger than Central Park in NY. There's also Tower Grove Park south of it and Carondelet Park south of that which are a decent size as well.

Downtown used to be more abandoned, but some of the old buildings, department stores, office buildings, have been rehabbed into wonderful lofts. The cheapest to buy you will probably find is the BluCitySpaces, about a block from Union Station, in Downtown West. It's a building that was formerly a Plaza Apartments building (there are others there that are still Plaza Apartment buildings). I've heard the area can be kind of shady, but I guess the price makes up for it. $80k for a studio, $120k for a 1 BR, and $150k for a 2 BR. Blu CitySpaces - Downtown St. Louis Condos
There are some condos for sale and some for rent in downtown. They can reach, I think, anywhere from $800 maybe $1500 a month for the very best.

You could check out the Cupples Apartments. They're a block from Busch Stadium and one bedrooms start at $562/month. They also have will give you a special rate if you make below a certain amount (maybe $17k a year, I think, but I could be wrong). The site has contact info. It's possible that they're filled up.
Cupples Station Loft Apartments[id]/6091/
Cupples Station Loft Apartments :: 1023 Spruce Street - St. Louis Lofts
Click to discuss to learn other St. Louisans thoughts about it.
Pets allowed. It's a block from Busch and not much farther from the Arch.

Also check out St. Louis Lofts, Saint Louis MO for some info on lofts. The site probably isn't up-to-date, but it gives websites for most of the developments, and you could probably search them on Google or something.
Downtown's website Downtown St. Louis Partnership - Home
st louis, MO apts/housing for rent classifieds - craigslist apartment listings

I only listed a couple of the downtown loft developments, but there are plenty more. So, try some of the links I gave you and think about it a bit, ask around on here, too. Some things I probably can't help you with, since I don't live in STL, but I'll help as much as I can.

I'm sure I probably forgot an area. I don't live in St. Louis, so my perceptions could be wrong, but these are the perceptions I get from talking to residents. If anyone wants to correct me, please do.

I'm sure you'll like St. Louis just fine. The only thing I'd worry about it is city schools, but it doesn't sound like that's an issue for you. And it's generally cheaper to live in St. Louis. And living in New York I'm guessing you're used to weather. The public transportation isn't as good as New York, I'm sure, but I think just getting to work and back it may suffice.

Things to do: Forest Park (the Zoo, Festivals, Outdoor activities), The museums (art museum, contemporary art museum, City Museum (a lot of fun) and some other museums (can't remember them all), Baseball, Hockey, football, hopefully soccer in a couple of years, The Hill (Italian restaurants), St. Patrick's Day Parades (Dogtown and Downtown), the Arch, the Anheuser-Busch Brewery.
St. Louis, MO: Visitor Information & Travel Planning Resources
Some more there.

What kind of job are you looking for? Just curious.

[danabbw67]

What kind of job are you looking for? Just curious.

Office work mainly although I dabble in spiritual healing during my spare time. I currently earn a bit over $40K in NYC but it doesn't go very far here these days. So if I find a job position elsewhere with competitive salary, I really want my money to grow and stretch...instead of being limited and restricted.

[Just Plain Al]

Spent my first thirty years in New York.
When I moved to San Diego I was told to slow down, and enjoy life. This ain't New York!
I learned to live at a much slower pace.
When I moved to Missouri {Lake of the Ozarks}, after twenty years, I was told to slow down, and enjoy life. This ain't California!
I learned to live at a much, much slower pace.
I'm planning a move to Georgia.
I don't know if I can slow down much more.
If you're going directly from New York to Missouri, start slowing down now.

[Strawberrygirl]

Originally Posted by danabbw67

I, too, am a native New York looking for a radical change but not sure what U.S. location is best for me in terms of 'settling down'. NYC is fast paced but I can't keep up with it anymore. Not that I'm progressively slow or lazy, I can do my job efficiently. However, commuting's quite a hassle so flexibility is a big plus for me. I'm 40 years old, single, no kids and looking for a fresh start.

Is there public transportation in St. Louis? I'm pretty sure I'll need a car but might have to rely on buses for a while if I decide moving there.

Thanks for your input!

Dana

Hi Dana:
I am "strawberrygirl" the one who began the thread. I just wanted to tell you that I too am 39 and a NY'er, as u already know, and everything these wonderful people tell you is right on target. I found StL to be a really nice alternative to what I am looking for. I spent 5 days at the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton and went to all the neighborhoods mentioned in previous posts. I found that having a car was the best traveling option. There is no traffic like we have here in NY so its a totally different ball game, and there is plenty of parking in the city. As for the comment made by one of the posts worried that STL will change because people will figure out its a Diamond in the Rough, I say "don't worry"- every one I tell in NY about my trip and how I found STL to be wonderful just shoot me a look like Im nuts and are insistent that I will be miserable and fail if I move there! Every time I call it St Louis they remind me it's "MISSOURI" and don't want to hear it, lol. So, I don't think you have anything to worry about. NY'ers are very stubborn people and territorial, lol. So, I just smile and think to myself "if they only knew" but then I think "they dont need to know" lol. Dont get me wrong, I love NY so much that I have made it my mission to find a place that has a bit of NY flair but less saturated and I found it in STL. OF course its very different but I think for all the right reasons. As far as cost of living, rent and mortgage etc., you will not find a more affordable city unless you spec out Indianapolis. In my research I found that the Central West End was the perfect place for me. The city seemed a bit empty for me to want to live there but the thing is, there are kind of little pockets of areas tucked into the city that are the most charming and desirable of places. Places such as CWE, Soulard, Lafayette Square, Tower Grove South. Clayton is beautiful but more of a financial district area of very upscale amenities and kind of empty when business hours are closed. CWE is much more livelier and has a wonderful antique and artistic flair. In the end it really depends what you are looking for. I have photos of some of the areas I mentioned to you, if you would like I can send them to you. I hoped this helped but I would suggest that you grab a friend and take a trip there. Its the only way to know for sure. Plus St louis is David Cook's home City! They produce great talent and the music industry is awesome! DC all the way!
Katie

[aragx6]

That's some of the nicest stuff I've ever heard a non-St. Louisian say about our fine city! I'm so glad you liked it! When are you moving?

[STLCardsBlues1989]

Originally Posted by Strawberrygirl

Plus St louis is David Cook's home City! They produce great talent and the music industry is awesome! DC all the way!
Katie

Actually, David cook grew up in Blue Springs (according to Wiki) which is over by Kansas City.

But I really liked your post. And I'm glad you liked St. Louis. Don't worry about those other New Yorkers not taking you seriously. It's their loss.

[OA 5599]

Originally Posted by Strawberrygirl

. As for the comment made by one of the posts worried that STL will change because people will figure out its a Diamond in the Rough, I say "don't worry"- every one I tell in NY about my trip and how I found STL to be wonderful just shoot me a look like Im nuts and are insistent that I will be miserable and fail if I move there! Every time I call it St Louis they remind me it's "MISSOURI" and don't want to hear it, lol. So, I don't think you have anything to worry about. NY'ers are very stubborn people and territorial, lol. So, I just smile and think to myself "if they only knew" but then I think "they dont need to know" lol. Dont get me wrong, I love NY so much that I have made it my mission to find a place that has a bit of NY flair but less saturated and I found it in STL.

I got similar reactions pretty often when I spent a summer in DC and told people I was from Missouri (I'm from a small town in the Ozarks, not STL though). They seemed to think the state is full of ignorant rednecks and is a horrible place to live. Although, when I did go spend a weekend in NYC that summer, I met 3 people who were originally from Missouri! While Missouri may have some ignorant people, they do not represent the state in whole, and plenty of intelligent and educated people live across the state, even in the small town where I am from. I spent yesterday floating down the Jack's Fork River, and it was a beautiful day with blue skies, spring trees and flowers, and clean water. Sure makes me miss living here in Missouri and I can't wait to come back!

[Strawberrygirl]

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

Actually, David cook grew up in Blue Springs (according to Wiki) which is over by Kansas City.

But I really liked your post. And I'm glad you liked St. Louis. Don't worry about those other New Yorkers not taking you seriously. It's their loss.

lol, Yes I know he grew up in Blue Springs, but when they did his Home Coming they went to StL too, either way he represents the State of Mo. and I am a huge fan! I think because the channel 5 station is in Clayton but I can't be sure- I could have sworn they drove right by the Ritz with those unforgettable terrace balconies that face LaDue.

That is true about other NY'ers, lol but throughout history innovators have always been laughed at or mocked, right? So, Ill just take it as that! They will realize when they are forced to come and visit me, hehehhe....

[Strawberrygirl]

Originally Posted by aragx6

That's some of the nicest stuff I've ever heard a non-St. Louisian say about our fine city! I'm so glad you liked it! When are you moving?

Thanks! Well before I make the move I have to let my 16 year old finish up his last school year. Since STL has so many wonderful universities, I am hoping he chooses one of them so we can make the move then. If he doesn't, then I guess he will be off to some other college anyway so I will probably go ahead and he can get used to STL when he is on breaks and comes home. I was hoping to find a nice restoration project and work on it when I visit back and forth until he is ready to move with me. I am also scoping out some commercial prop in CWE so I can open a cafe/lounge. My realtor is great and she is very helpful. Right now there is something I am interested in on Mcpherson, so keep your fingers crossed!!!