North Webster (Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Manchester: low crime, houses, dorms)

[jasontoon]

Hey all -

My wife and I (longtime South City residents; I'm a native, born and raised) are looking for a house to buy, and although it wasn't on our radar initially, we've noticed a couple of apparently good bargains in Webster Groves. I know Webster fairly well because I lived at the dorms in Webster U. for a few years, and I really enjoyed the smalltowny but reasonably progressive mood there. But these houses are in North Webster, the traditional African-American neighborhood, which I've spent no time in.

I was wondering if anybody had any firsthand experience with North Webster, because I don't. Judging by the crime column in the Webster-Kirkwood Times, it seems as safe as the rest of Webster. What I'm wondering is, bluntly, how welcome a white family would be in the neighborhood. I've heard mixed things about Meacham Park, the similar neighborhood in Kirkwood, about how white homebuyers are received there (and we've all seen Meacham Park in the news over the last couple of years). In particular, I've heard stories of white residents in Meacham Park sometimes being the target of vandalism or hostility, primarily from teenage boys.

I don't care if we're the only white family on the block. I just want a safe, welcoming environment (not to mention a cheap way to get my kids into WG schools). I have no reason to think North Webster wouldn't be welcoming, but I don't want to just roll the dice. Anybody know the score on North Webster? Thanks.

[LauraW]

By North Webster-what area are you specifically referring to? The area West of Brentwood/Kirkham or elsewhere?

We lived South of Newport/North of Oakwood and LOVED it. There are many houses in that general area (Avery Elementary School) that are very affordable. The area is very safe and family friendly. We were VERY sad to leave.

[forkdora]

I think that nowadays things in that area are a lot more mixed than they were when I was younger. When I went to Avery I heard stories of white kids getting harassed on the way home from school... but these were probably just stories. I think the kids in this area tend to be very well adjusted despite the racial division of the train tracks.

[martha, martha, martha]

I live there and there isn't a race issue. It's a great area - one of the best kept secrets in the county. Close to everything, low crime, very reasonable prices on the homes. Go for it!

[packin&stackin]

drove down Euclid avenue yesterday trying to make my way to Manchester and McKnight and "African American" teens told me to "get the **** out of here." This simply pisses me off. Plus, I live in Webster Park and a close friend of mine was jumped by 10 black kids last week walking home from my house...they broke his hearing aids and beat him rather seriously....lets just say it'd be interesting to see how fast Reverend Al Sharpton would be there if the situation was flip-flopped...

[moorlander]

JToon - does your move have anything to do with this?

Woot Acquired by Amazon