St. Charles Questions (St. Louis, Maryland Heights, Washington: cul-de-sac, apartment complexes, rental)

[OA 5599]

I have a job interview with a company in St. Charles in a few months. The company is located right downtown on Main street in the historic section. I'm about 99% sure I'll get a job offer and I have a good idea of what the pay will be like.

I'm originally from south-central Missouri and may move back to MO to be closer to family and the Ozarks. However, I do have a few questions about St. Charles. Are there rental single apartments within a mile or two of downtown? I'd really like to bike to work. Also, how much do houses typically go for in the town? Ideally, I'd like an older house (NOT one in a sea of subdivisions), something with 3 bedrooms or so, again, within a mile or two of downtown so I could bike to work. If I end up moving there, I'll probably rent for a year and then buy, assuming I'm happy with my job and the town. Another question...how is the housing market? Stable, dropping, rising? I noticed the median home price is around $172k, which is considerably cheaper than where I live now, and another city will likely interview in (Portland, OR).

The biggest problem I have with St. Charles is that it is too suburban. I'll be 25 and single if/when I move there, so I'm hoping the surrounding area isn't all families, and there are at least some singles. Will I be a very small minority in that demographic? Any cool bars/pubs in town that have somewhat of a younger crowd, or will I have to go into the city for that? I know CWE and the area around Forest Park are the hot spots for singles, but that would be a long commute, and I'd rather not have to drive. I'm not looking for a mecca of youthful nightlife by any means, as I live in Austin right now, and while it was great for the first few months, it got old fairly quick, but I would like to have a least a few options close by.

[oscottscotto]

Main Street St. Charles is neat, but I don't think it necessarily fit's your single-night life wants. You could definitely bike to work if you rent a place near the downtown though. I'm not too familiar with St. Vharles to know specifics though. Moved to STL in April and have only been to Main Street St. Charles twice.

[wustu87]

If you do not mind the "suburban singles" type of area, you should check the area between Olive and Page in Maryland Heights (near Westport) where there are several large apartment complexes where many suburban singles live. That area is now a very short hop to St. Charles with the Page extension.

[aragx6]

I would definitely suggest finding a place in Old Town St. Charles if you don't want to have to drive to work. It's hardly hopping single life, but in that area you should find singles and there are several bars that often have live music on the weekends.

There are lots of great older homes close by (for good price) when you decide you're ready to buy.

The market in the immediate St. Charles area seems to be doing pretty well. I think the main problem for those older areas, is that most people who move out that way would rather have one of those big new monstrosities with vinyl siding than a cute brick bungalow. That being said, prices are certainly stable and I would consider it a solid investment - there's not much reason to worry about falling prices in the immediate area.

Here's an example of a cute place right near Main Street listed at 185k: ▐► Forget the Banks - Rent to Own This Great House Today

I grew up there and can't say I'd be in a hurry to move back. I've learned the suburbs are just not for me, but if the price were right and I wanted to move back to St. Louis and that was the way to do it, I'd certainly look at the Old Town St. Charles area. if you have more questions, feel free to ask!

[OA 5599]

Originally Posted by aragx6

I would definitely suggest finding a place in Old Town St. Charles if you don't want to have to drive to work. It's hardly hopping single life, but in that area you should find singles and there are several bars that often have live music on the weekends.

There are lots of great older homes close by (for good price) when you decide you're ready to buy.

The market in the immediate St. Charles area seems to be doing pretty well. I think the main problem for those older areas, is that most people who move out that way would rather have one of those big new monstrosities with vinyl siding than a cute brick bungalow. That being said, prices are certainly stable and I would consider it a solid investment - there's not much reason to worry about falling prices in the immediate area.

Here's an example of a cute place right near Main Street listed at 185k: ▐► Forget the Banks - Rent to Own This Great House Today

I grew up there and can't say I'd be in a hurry to move back. I've learned the suburbs are just not for me, but if the price were right and I wanted to move back to St. Louis and that was the way to do it, I'd certainly look at the Old Town St. Charles area. if you have more questions, feel free to ask!

Thanks a lot for the info. I'd MUCH rather have a cute brick bungalow than a look-alike beige house on a cul-de-sac. The house you listed is something I would be interested in (although I'd rather have brick ). I could also possilby go for an older suburban home, right now I share in one built in the late 50's in Austin which I like, its well-built, the neighborhood has large trees, and is convienent to downtown and campus.

As long as there are a least a few places to grab a beer and mingle I'm happy, and live music is a big plus. I prefer bars where its quiet enough to hold a conversation without shouting, and places with a good selection of beers on tap. I went out with some friends on Saturday night down here and half the places we went blare random hip-hop mixes so loud you have to scream...not my type of thing really.

[aragx6]

Well you certainly won't find hip hop. More likely live bands made up of older guys who used to be hot cranking out classic rock covers

Look here's the first house built in Midtown! It's freaking adorable and 140 years old!: Single Family Home - 315 N 6th St, Saint Charles, MO, 63301 - Realtor.com

You'd be .7 miles from the heart of Main Street with shops, restaurants, the Katy trail (for biking) etc.

Or this little guy from the 1880s is also really cute: Single Family Home - 224 Tompkins St, Saint Charles, MO, 63301 - Realtor.com

Other nearby houses you might like:
Single Family Home - 2940 Homewood Ave, Saint Charles, MO, 63301 - Realtor.com
Single Family Home - 557 Washington St, Saint Charles, MO, 63301 - Realtor.com
Single Family Home - 1507 Randolph St, Saint Charles, MO, 63301 - Realtor.com

[OA 5599]

Thanks again...all of those are right in my price range, and with 10% down the mortgage payments wouldn't be that much higher than what I'm currently paying for rent. The one on Homewood I think I like the best as its brick and has a garage, and also looks be be within 2 miles of downtown. The Katy Trail in town is also a large reason I'm considering St. Charles, as I'm currently an avid runner and would also like to get into cycling.

[oscottscotto]

Originally Posted by OA 5599

As long as there are a least a few places to grab a beer and mingle I'm happy, and live music is a big plus. I prefer bars where its quiet enough to hold a conversation without shouting, and places with a good selection of beers on tap. I went out with some friends on Saturday night down here and half the places we went blare random hip-hop mixes so loud you have to scream...not my type of thing really.

St. Charles downtown will at least fill your specific wants in this paragraph, for sure. As stated earlier, it's not some booming, lively scene ... but that is kindof the point. It's a nice, quaint, pedestrian-friendly downtown strip with a good number of bars and eateries for more of the "chill" type people. Cobblestone road is a + too.

[DeBaliviere]

If I was 25 and working in St. Charles, I'd still live in the city or U. City and make the commute.

[OA 5599]

Originally Posted by DeBaliviere

If I was 25 and working in St. Charles, I'd still live in the city or U. City and make the commute.

If I end up working there I may consider it, but most part I'd rather have a 5-10 minute commute or bike ride daily, then drive into U. City or STL on the weekends to do stuff. That way I'll spend a lot less time in the car and have more time to spend doing things I really like to do. Moving to the STL area is still a pretty big maybe...the interview isn't until December, I have another in Portland, and may look into a few companies in Denver too.