Safe Areas In St. Louis City (Chesterfield, Clayton: loft, violent crime, home)

[looking9]

I see a lot of mention of areas to avoid (North, East) but could someone please tell me or point me to a map that indicates the boundaries of areas to avoid. We are thinking of living downtown.

Thanks.

[sbapasto]

Ive lived in St Louis almost my whole life. I cant think of any areas in Downtown where I would feel comfportable living. In terms of stores, grocery stores, banks, libraries -- just day to day living is lacking at best. There are some loft conversions that are nice buildings but as far as life goes, couldnt say Id consider it safe at all.

That being said, there are some good restaurants and bars Downtown and of course the sporting events. But check out the violent crime.

crimereports.com and run a search. St Louis is #2 in violent crimes and murder. Sad but true.

[Dawn10am]

Originally Posted by looking9

I see a lot of mention of areas to avoid (North, East) but could someone please tell me or point me to a map that indicates the boundaries of areas to avoid. We are thinking of living downtown.

Thanks.

Generally Delmar Blvd. is the marker between North and South and thus "bad" and "good," although that's painting with a bit of a broad brush. The Central Corridor (bordered roughly by Delmar on the North and I-44 on the South) and South City (South of 44) are the nicer parts of the City.

I'm not really sure what the poster above me is talking about by saying Downtown is dangerous. Downtown is a great area (I'm moving down there myself in July). There's a ton of options for everyday living--a full service grocery store, a Macy's, a brand new movie theatre, the newly renovated central library, dry cleaners, dentists, doctors, a zillion restaurants and bars, 6 metro stations, etc, all within walking distance. People are moving downtown in droves and it seems like something new opens up down there weekly. I'm not saying it's as safe as suburbia and I know there's always room for improvement, but it's by no means a "dangerous" area.

[jribe]

Originally Posted by Dawn10am

Generally Delmar Blvd. is the marker between North and South and thus "bad" and "good," although that's painting with a bit of a broad brush. The Central Corridor (bordered roughly by Delmar on the North and I-44 on the South) and South City (South of 44) are the nicer parts of the City.

I'm not really sure what the poster above me is talking about by saying Downtown is dangerous. Downtown is a great area (I'm moving down there myself in July). There's a ton of options for everyday living--a full service grocery store, a Macy's, a brand new movie theatre, the newly renovated central library, dry cleaners, dentists, doctors, a zillion restaurants and bars, 6 metro stations, etc, all within walking distance. People are moving downtown in droves and it seems like something new opens up down there weekly. I'm not saying it's as safe as suburbia and I know there's always room for improvement, but it's by no means a "dangerous" area.

I think the poster was saying they would not feel comfortable living downtown- frankly, neither would I. I've technically lived in the city- Skinker/Clayton by Forest Park and i felt that was a great, safe area. But there is more crime when you get into midtown/downtown and it's up to the posters thoughts of what they consider dangerous. I don't want to deal with car breakins, muggings, etc that you hear about in the news all the time. I now live in Brentwood and- while it's a short 10 minute drive to downtown for work- I feel completely safe here.

[NewStLouisan]

Different people have a different 'tolerance' on what an acceptable level of safety is. I'm new to St. Louis, and based on the research I've done, the neighborhoods within the city that I would be happy to live in include Central West End (where I currently live), the areas near Tower Grove Park (particularly, Tower Grove South, Shaw, and Southwest Gardens), Lafayette Square, Benton Park, and the areas further south (North Hampton, Southampton). That's a lot of options. I'm unfamiliar with the safety in Downtown, Soulard, Skinker DaBaliviere, and Tower Grove East.

[pianist1972]

I live in Lafayette Square and it is a terrific area. I go to downtown shops as well as Midtown/Central West End/Tower Grove, all nearby and convenient. Downtown is still lacking in some pockets, but there has been a huge increase in both population and amenities, and I don't see that trend changing anytime soon. Everything one HAS to have to live is there...

[Caesarstl]

Originally Posted by sbapasto

Ive lived in St Louis almost my whole life. I cant think of any areas in Downtown where I would feel comfportable living. In terms of stores, grocery stores, banks, libraries -- just day to day living is lacking at best. There are some loft conversions that are nice buildings but as far as life goes, couldnt say Id consider it safe at all.

That being said, there are some good restaurants and bars Downtown and of course the sporting events. But check out the violent crime.

crimereports.com and run a search. St Louis is #2 in violent crimes and murder. Sad but true.

You live in Chesterfield, someplace I would never consider living, not St. Louis... What is the problem with the libraries, banks, and getting groceries downtown? The walk to any of these is almost certainly shorter than your drive...

[marigolds6]

Originally Posted by looking9

I see a lot of mention of areas to avoid (North, East) but could someone please tell me or point me to a map that indicates the boundaries of areas to avoid. We are thinking of living downtown.

Thanks.

Just as a note, East St Louis is not in the city. It is not even in the same state.

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by marigolds6

Just as a note, East St Louis is not in the city. It is not even in the same state.

I understand that, but I look at East St. Louis to be sort of a de facto separate neighborhood in the general metro area, even though it is not politically in the same boundary or state. Just because a river runs between the two geographies, I think East St. Louis is wholeheartedly within the general St. Louis culture and realm.

The C-D.com home page has a great map that shows data by type, but not crime specifically. You can view demographics, income and education levels. This visual may give you a better idea as to the general spatial lay of the land in the St. Louis metro area.

[STLCityMike]

I work downtown, and currently live just a few minutes away in Lafayette Terrace. I feel safe and have since I moved to St. Louis in 2001. I have also lived in Soulard - a wonderful neighborhood. I take walks around downtown at lunch and marvel at all the new things I see. There have been so many changes since I moved here.

In my general day to day life I rarely have to leave the city, and if I do, its to go to Brentwood or Richmond Heights for the big box shopping, and that is right on the edge of the city.

While I am not downplaying the crime that does occur, the media and rankings sensationalize it to some extent. We rank high in crime because of the city being reported as its own entity (separate from the county). I get so tired of this debate. I really hope the officials unify the city and county so our rankings will drop, and people can stop quoting the #2 or #1 ranking idea.