North County ALL bad? (St. Louis, Florissant: apartment, crime, lawyers)

[SidneysMom]

Hi! I am currently living in the 63118 zip code in a studio apartment with my b/friend and we've got a baby on the way, looking to buy a house. Unfortunately our budget is $75000 max, which puts us in the horrible position of choosing a trashed out house in a good neighborhood, or a gorgeous house where the kid can't go out and play because there's drive-by's. We found a house we really really like right on the border of Ferguson and Dellwood, in a subdivision called Ferguson Acres, right off of W Florissant, street name Stein Rd. There's a church right there, St Peters church? The neighborhood looks nothing like the surrounding areas, like Narnia compared to the spare room. Anyway, I have seen nothing on this forum but stay the bleep away from North County. But is it possible there are decent patches here and there? Could finding this house be like finding a $20 on the floor (happened to me at work the other day.) Is there a lot of racial tension there? We're white trying to find a nice mixed neighborhood without reverse discrimination. Is there ANYONE out there with ANYTHING nice to say about this area? We like 63116 but the houses all smell like pee. What is wrong with people? Same question Saint Ann? Saint John? Overland?

[aragx6]

OK... let's first tackle this particular area. First question: What schools it it in? Is it Ferguson/Florissant? That'd be a definite plus. You should also use the St. Louis crime map to gauge incidents in the area and see if you're comfortable with that.

As far as racial tension, that's sort of a border area. Ferguson is almost half black half white, but Dellwood is seen as something of a turning point and it's more like 60% black/40% white. So you'll be in the minority, though only a bit. Obviously there is some tension there though. As I'm sure you know, that used to be a heavily white area until inner-city blacks with the means moved to the area and it's been changing ever since. My mom grew up in North County before her family moved to Creve Couer, so she understands that about about as well as anyone I guess.

Personally, I think you'll be fine there, I really do.

Of course, I'm sure you know you'd probably be better off in Florissant if you could swing it. I checked out realtor.com this morning and saw a few options like this one: Single Family Home - 850 Derhake Rd, Florissant, MO, 63033 - Realtor.com

Oh also, I know you said something about all the 63116 houses smelling like pee, but here's one I found just adorable: Single Family Home - 4549 Newport, St Louis, MO, 63116 - Realtor.com I guess this is Bevo right since it's south of Chippewa? I tend to think of that area as general South City...

Anyway, good luck, and if you have any more questions feel free to ask!

[stlsmoore]

Yea you'll do fine in that area, just make sure you're in the Ferguson/Florissant School District

[WalnutPark829]

of course north county is not ALL bad, it is a HUGE area. there are a lot of misconceptions, yes there are bad parts of North County, but the majority is ok. Ferguson is really on an upswing, have you driven through their downtown district on S. Florissant Rd.? it looks great and has some really neat businesses, the area is definately bustling. Have you ever visited Old Town Florissant? Beautiful as well. I have a friend who lives on Hudson Rd. which is right by Stein, there are some really neat houses on that street with tons of acreage and even a horse farm. Looking at the satelitte image of Stein it appears there is tons of room and huge yards as well, thats nice. There are also many parks near the area which is a plus, Hudson Park adjacent to the FloValley campus is a beautiful park.

I am not sure if it is in Dellwood or Ferguson though, Ferguson would be a definate plus but Dellwood is not bad either, I also know someone who lives on Kroeger right there in Dellwood and those houses are very nice as well. That street is filled with lawyers, doctors, and the such those are very nice homes. There is some racial tension sure, but not too bad. That area of North County is stabilized in my opinion and about 50/50 as far as race goes. As a plus that area of Dellwood/Ferguson is in the Ferg-Flor School District, which currently is in much better shape and stablization than the Hazelwood District. To the west of W. Florissant is Ferg-Flor, to the east is Hazelwood schools.

[WalnutPark829]

After looking at a map, it does in fact appear you would be in the Ferguson City Limits, which is a huge plus. Dellwood is not bad, its just that Ferguson has more services to offer as a bigger city, there would be more recreational opportunities for your children and discounts to the Ferguson waterpark, Splash and Wabash, etc. and other neat things that Ferguson offers. Also it appears a house just as recently as last year sold for $200,000 on that street, so it appears like its a good mix of houses. Good Luck, hope I helped and made you feel more optimistic about the area.

[WalnutPark829]

heres the city website, good luck! Ferguson, MO - Official Website, heres the website for Citywalk (The Ferguson Downtown District) Ferguson Citywalk, North St. Louis County Missouri ~ Just North of Ordinary, Ferguson Farmers Market (every saturday) Welcome to the Ferguson Farmers' Market, this is the Whistle Stop Whistle Stop Frozen Custard, a converted Historic train depot which is now a museum/Ice Cream shop, its a cool place to take kids because trains still go past the old depot.

Ferguson is a really neat place in my opinion and not like your ordinary suburb, its got an actual historic downtown and not a modern day fake version, it has huge historic houses that remind me of what you would find in Kirkwood, Webster, etc. here is a neat photo thread from another website with some pictures of the city. http://urbanstl.com/viewtopic.php?t=...ferguson+queen

[SidneysMom]

Thank you everybody =) I do feel more confident making an offer on this house now. We still have a few to check out in Overland and Saint Ann, but if none of them grab us, I might just go for Stein. I appreciate everyone's input and research!

[nhlbluesgirl]

I don't know anything about Ferg/Flor or Dellwood, so I can't help you there. However, I did live in St. Ann for a few years though. Overall, it's a nice area. Like anything, there are good parts and bad parts. If you do choose St Ann, make sure you are in the Pattonville School District. St. Ann is split into Pattonville and Ritneour, and Pattonville is far better. Good Luck!

[RhondaHMo]

Originally Posted by nhlbluesgirl

If you do choose St Ann, make sure you are in the Pattonville School District. St. Ann is split into Pattonville and Ritneour, and Pattonville is far better. Good Luck!

I wouldn't tell them that. My college room-mate lives in Overland (grew up there and graduated from Ritenour) and is raising her 2 kids there now. Her youngest is going to the middle school there on Ashby across from the park. Forgot the name, but she gets wonderful grades and we've been there to see their spring musical, Sussical. It was a GREAT production. For almost 2hrs, I don't think I heard one mistake in their presentation. I couldn't believe it-that they were only middle school kids. The singing!
The school itself was 'confy' feeling and several parents and teachers said Hi, even though we'd never been there before. Her oldest is going to be a senior, has always been in advanced classes and is already getting feelers for scholarships, which is great because she's a single mom working her tail off for those kids. But she's always stayed involved--and that's the key right there.

When we get in the buying mode, we're most likely going to look in the St. Ann/Ritenour area. I've loved what I've seen so far. We may end up in the Maryland Heights area 'cuz it's closer to my hubby's work but I'm totally open to those two districts.

-Rhonda
Olivette, MO

[nhlbluesgirl]

Originally Posted by RhondaHMo

I wouldn't tell them that. My college room-mate lives in Overland (grew up there and graduated from Ritenour) and is raising her 2 kids there now. Her youngest is going to the middle school there on Ashby across from the park. Forgot the name, but she gets wonderful grades and we've been there to see their spring musical, Sussical. It was a GREAT production. For almost 2hrs, I don't think I heard one mistake in their presentation. I couldn't believe it-that they were only middle school kids. The singing!
The school itself was 'confy' feeling and several parents and teachers said Hi, even though we'd never been there before. Her oldest is going to be a senior, has always been in advanced classes and is already getting feelers for scholarships, which is great because she's a single mom working her tail off for those kids. But she's always stayed involved--and that's the key right there.

When we get in the buying mode, we're most likely going to look in the St. Ann/Ritenour area. I've loved what I've seen so far. We may end up in the Maryland Heights area 'cuz it's closer to my hubby's work but I'm totally open to those two districts.

-Rhonda
Olivette, MO

I guess we have different views. My cousins went to Ritneour HS and didn't think it was good at all. My friend is a teacher at Hoech Middle School (the one on Ashby across from the park), and he even said that he didn't want to see my children there.