St. Louis vs Dallas vs Atlanta (Wildwood, Memphis: apartments, for rent, lofts)

[mjtinmemphis]

I have an opportunity to relocate from Memphis Tn. to Dallas, Atlanta or St. Louis. I am a single black male 35 looking for a city that is urban, green, clean and affordable. I will be renting for the first year to get accustomed to the area before buying a condo. My price range for rent is 700-800 per mo. I will be working from home however need a central location. I do prefer an urban lifestyle doesn’t have to be downtown but definitely urban, (walkable, transit friendly with diverse liberal population.)

I would like to hear from people that have experienced life in either of these cities to compare. It’s been 10 years since living in St. Louis. Visit Atlanta and Dallas 2 to 3 times a year but always as a visitor never thinking about relocating.

[Juice13610]

I also don't live in any of those cities, but I frequent Saint Louis and I am looking to relocate there by January 08. You can get some nice downtown loft apartments in St. Louis in the 700-800 range. One that pops out in my mind is actually about 1/2 mile out of St Louis called Soulard Market Apartments. If you lived in St Louis and you remember the Soulard Farmer's Market, it's the 7 story building situated right next to it.

Do a search for Soulard Market Apartments, and also check out RENT.com for some ideas as well. Rent has some very good apartments on it, with contact details, amenity details, etc, etc.

[NCOriolesfan]

Sounds like you are looking for Atlanta, the Black Mecca. All three are good places to be though.

[Juice13610]

Because he is black?

I didn't see anything about "I want to live in a mostly-black populated area," I just saw him asking about the nicest places to live. Just because you may be white doesn't mean you want to live in the Hamptons or Beverly Hills, does it?

Sorry, I said Soulard Market Aparments are a 1/2 mile out of St Louis, but I mean 1/2 mile out of downtown.

[mjtinmemphis]

Thanks juice13610 for the reply. I could care less about Atlanta's name as Black Mecca. I can create my own Black Mecca where ever I choose to live. Does anyone know anything about the couples station lofts?

[Juice13610]

mjtinmemphis; Matter of fact, I do. When I was looking to move to St Louis, I looked at Cupples station. They are gorgeous and surprisingly affordable. However, they are "affordable housing" or something to that effect. 2 people have to make less than $35k, one person has to make less than $30k, or something like that.

Cupples Station Loft Apartments

They also have a restaurant/bar inside it, and from what I understand, even though it is small it is quite the hot spot after Cardinals games.

They are absolutely gorgeous on the inside. My wife and I fell in love with them, but we didn't fall under the affordable housing thing.

A website (with pictures) for Soulard Market Apartments is at
The Soulard Market Lofts in SAINT LOUIS, MO. - ApartmentFinder.com

I just got an email back from them that they do have 1 and 2 BR apartments available! If you are single and have no children, you can get a 1 BR starting at $775. They have an in ground pool and gated parking (for 1 vehicle).

Check them both out. Give Cupples station a call at 314-241-1225!!

Good luck!

[movingfromatlanta]

Originally Posted by mjtinmemphis

I have an opportunity to relocate from Memphis Tn. to Dallas, Atlanta or St. Louis. I am a single black male 35 looking for a city that is urban, green, clean and affordable. I will be renting for the first year to get accustomed to the area before buying a condo. My price range for rent is 700-800 per mo. I will be working from home however need a central location. I do prefer an urban lifestyle doesn’t have to be downtown but definitely urban, (walkable, transit friendly with diverse liberal population.)

I would like to hear from people that have experienced life in either of these cities to compare. It’s been 10 years since living in St. Louis. Visit Atlanta and Dallas 2 to 3 times a year but always as a visitor never thinking about relocating.

It is very urban, cosmopolitan and racially though not politically diverse. Conservatives are treated like lepers, but chances are you will never meet one inside the perimiter. There is plenty to do in Atlanta, but unlike St. Louis, you will pay up the nose to do it. You can rent for the money you are talking, but don't expect a very nice place. Midtown would seem to offer the lifestyle you are looking for, but it has been gentrifying for several years and affordable housing has been replaced by expensive luxury condos and townhomes. Atlanta has an adequate public transportation system in MARTA and they have added more bike paths and parks, but I would not describe it as clean. Crime continues to be a problem in the central city, and whatever you do, do not live near the AU Center. That decision could cost you your life. Don't know much about Dallas, and my experience in St. Louis has been in the burbs. Good luck to you wherever you land.

[Fishtacos]

Originally Posted by movingfromatlanta

It is very urban, cosmopolitan and racially though not politically diverse. Conservatives are treated like lepers, but chances are you will never meet one inside the perimiter. There is plenty to do in Atlanta, but unlike St. Louis, you will pay up the nose to do it. You can rent for the money you are talking, but don't expect a very nice place. Midtown would seem to offer the lifestyle you are looking for, but it has been gentrifying for several years and affordable housing has been replaced by expensive luxury condos and townhomes. Atlanta has an adequate public transportation system in MARTA and they have added more bike paths and parks, but I would not describe it as clean. Crime continues to be a problem in the central city, and whatever you do, do not live near the AU Center. That decision could cost you your life. Don't know much about Dallas, and my experience in St. Louis has been in the burbs. Good luck to you wherever you land.

You must be the leper living among all of the other lepers in the burbs...plenty of conservatives, liberals, independents in St. Louis metro....depending on where you are or want to be. I have always found metor St. Louis to be more conservative than not due to the higher populations in the conservative areas.

[Fishtacos]

Originally Posted by mjtinmemphis

I have an opportunity to relocate from Memphis Tn. to Dallas, Atlanta or St. Louis. I am a single black male 35 looking for a city that is urban, green, clean and affordable. I will be renting for the first year to get accustomed to the area before buying a condo. My price range for rent is 700-800 per mo. I will be working from home however need a central location. I do prefer an urban lifestyle doesn’t have to be downtown but definitely urban, (walkable, transit friendly with diverse liberal population.)

I would like to hear from people that have experienced life in either of these cities to compare. It’s been 10 years since living in St. Louis. Visit Atlanta and Dallas 2 to 3 times a year but always as a visitor never thinking about relocating.

Downtown St. Louis and the city is on the upswing in recent years. Hopefully movig at a quicker pace some time soon. ....a little too much patting on the back for accomplishing one thing.

You'd do fine in St. Louis.

[movingfromatlanta]

Originally Posted by Fishtacos

You must be the leper living among all of the other lepers in the burbs...plenty of conservatives, liberals, independents in St. Louis metro....depending on where you are or want to be. I have always found metor St. Louis to be more conservative than not due to the higher populations in the conservative areas.

I am definitely more conservative than liberal, but to be honest with you, one of the things I am enjoying the most about the wild woods of Wildwood, is that people don't wear their politics on their shirt sleeves (or bumper stickers) here.I don't know what any of my neighbors political leanings are(and don't really want to know). Atlantans are very in your face with their politics, and I was really sick of that. I'm enjoying local talk radio on KMOX, the hosts seem to be more driven by issues than ideology, and I even enjoy reading Bill Mclellan's columns in the Post-Dispatch. If a liberal cub fan can make me laugh and maintain some degree of objectivity, I can forgive his politics.