Moving to area for school in Mehlville. What's a good area to live on a budget? (St. Louis: apartment)

[katiejo_1234]

I'm a single college girl,22, moving from Quincy, IL to the STL area. I'm starting school in Mehlville for Cosmetology and am looking for a good area to live in around the school that's close to downtown/SLU area. Only wanting to commute about 20 mins to school and downtown. Would love to know some good areas to rent an apartment for my age group on a budget. About $400-500 per month. Also, a few good websites on job-searching in the area and apartment listings in the area as well. Any help would be great! I'm not too familiar with the STL area, so a little nervous! Also i heard it's better to live in certain counties? Like South County, North County... any advice? Thanks!

[aragx6]

Both South County and North County (as well as West County) are geographical designations for St. Louis county. It's a fairly big county and it's an easy way to break them up.

Typically speaking West County is the most desirable, then South, then North county, but it's pretty unfair to base all opinions of that. There are great neighborhoods in all three areas of the county.

Mehlville (which is in South County) and downtown are really only about 20 minutes apart so you could live near either. With your budget you'll have more luck down near Mehlville.