Hi, all. Probably moving to STL from Houston. A little help and encouragement desired >>> (St. Louis: fit in, transplants)

[wustu87]

Hey, nobody here has mentioned that there is a Metrolink station right there in the heart of Clayton, so if you live near it you can walk or bike to the Clayton Metrolink station and then take the Metrolink to Barnes-Jewish with no driving commute at all. And the eastern edge of Ladue borders Clayton (e.g. the Tanglewood subdivision, or any of the surrounding area served by Reed Elementary) so I do not see why Ladue is seen as too "far out" from Barnes. You can actually walk or bike from eastern Ladue right into Clayton and enjoy all the establishments (Shaw Park, restaurants) there quite easily, and you actually get more yard and square footage for your money in eastern Ladue than in Clayton, especially with one of the older ranch homes. And if you do drive, it is practically instantaneous since you hop right onto the Ladue/170 entrance, then take Forest Park Parkway and you are there in no time. I will be curious to see what the traffic will be like on the Parkway in 2009, but right now it is not too bad (I drive Forest Park Parkway every day.)

I know you mentioned private schools for future, but if you are living in the Clayton or Ladue districts I do not see why you would need to bother. Academically both districts are outstanding, and they are also surprisingly more racially diverse than many would think and better integrated than many of the districts further out. And the primary "crime" to worry about in the neighborhoods there is being called in by your neighbors for not keeping up your house or yard properly, as well as the ever popular "rolling stop sign"!

[suziq999]

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

Missouri has mountains (small ones), lots of hills, lakes, rivers, caves. There's usually plenty to do outside. Barnes-Jewish, I believe, borders Forest Park, so you could probably spend some outdoor time there. There are some beautiful homes just north of Forest Park, and I believe they're pretty safe. They're pretty expensive, but if you both work at Barnes-Jewish you may be able to afford it.

As far as crime, I think it depends on what you're used to.

I've heard Central West End is pretty safe, but it may depend on your comfort level. But you could live just a couple miles from your work. There's a MetroLink station there as well, which could take you into downtown for ballgames, concerts, etc.

And there are some rental properties around there, so you could rent before buying.

The suburbs are fine, but if you're willing to spend $200k-$300k on a home, and you're okay with some crime, I really don't see any reason to move out to a suburb and drive so far to work everyday. If you have children, schools may be an issue, but there are always private schools and magnets.

Suburbs are fine, but may not be necessary. I guess it just depends on your comfort level.

I like the idea of living in Clayton and biking through the park to get to work. Is that a crazy idea???

I'm okay with some crime - I mean, sht happens... I have 2 dogs so I'm sure the house won't be that easy of a target. I'd hate to be afraid to be outside my own house at night - but I imagine you live anywhere long enough and someone will bust out your car windows to steal the change out of your cupholders. I'd rather cough up more money and live closer and not have to drive as far. I'm very sick of the congestion in Houston.

Is the Metro relatively safe? Or just during daylight hours??

*THANKS EVERYONE FOR ALL YOUR HELP* (((hugs)))

[wustu87]

Biking across the park is doable if you are in shape and allot the time time to do it, but be kind to your coworkers and shower afterwards! I would think Barnes should have facilities for employees to shower since we do in our building.

The Metro is very safe during the day and "relatively" safe in the evenings. There have been a few incidents recently outside a couple stations, but those are isolated cases. The actual platforms themselves are quite safe especially in groups, but what is less safe may be the areas around some of the stations (the Forest Park & Delmar stations in particular where the incidents occurred.) Metro did beef up security afterward in both places, but they can only cover so much ground outside the stations.The two Wash U Danforth campus stations, the Brentwood, Galleria and the Clayton stations are definitely very safe even at night (many students and staff use them).

[oscottscotto]

Originally Posted by suziq999

I like the idea of living in Clayton and biking through the park to get to work. Is that a crazy idea???

I'm okay with some crime - I mean, sht happens... I have 2 dogs so I'm sure the house won't be that easy of a target. I'd hate to be afraid to be outside my own house at night - but I imagine you live anywhere long enough and someone will bust out your car windows to steal the change out of your cupholders. I'd rather cough up more money and live closer and not have to drive as far. I'm very sick of the congestion in Houston.

Is the Metro relatively safe? Or just during daylight hours??

*THANKS EVERYONE FOR ALL YOUR HELP* (((hugs)))

I ride the metro every day from CWE to Maplewood (and back) for work. It's totally safe. The diversity of riders during the day is about 50/50 white/black with a few asian here and there. I also ride it ocassionally late at night when the wife and I go out on weekends. At night, we find that the ridership gets alot less diverse, but we still feel safe to say the least. 6 months running now with no problems. It's also pretty neat on "game days", when you will see seats filled with the "red sea of suburbanites" who use the park and ride to metro it down to the Cardinals games .

As for biking, I can definitely give advice on that. I live one block away from Jewish-Barnes. For me to get from my building to the west end of Forest Park takes 20 minutes (I usually ride to "The loop", so I bike down Lindell to Skinker). If you lived in Clayton close to the park, I'd say a 30 minute bike ride could be estimated. Forest Park is huge. If you live in Clayton more towards I-170, I would just bike to the metrolink and take the metro to CWE, which drops off right at Jewish-Barnes (as someone mentioned before). That is, unless you are cool with an hour-long bike ride each way. I think you would enjoy Clayton though if you have the money and safty + proximity to the city are your main concerns.

[aragx6]

I think money is a fair question here. Clayton is very expensive for what you get, so you'll have to decide if it's worth it to you (esp. if you won't be taking advantage of the schools, at least for now)

[latetotheparty]

University City could be another option..... lots to walk to and do in the loop.

welcome to st. louis!! i came here from houston in 1986.....

[wustu87]

Hey, folks like us living in the neighboring Ladue district love to have Clayton around since it makes our homes actually look like great deals!

And since you do not care about schools, latetotheparty's U. City suggestion is a great idea. It is even closer to Barnes than Clayton, so if you find a home close to the Big Bend or Skinker Metrolink stations you can take it to work and be there even before those Clayton residents. Plus you could walk not only to the Delmar Loop but to the many goings on at the lovely Wash U Danforth Campus!

[latetotheparty]

was also taking into consideration yard space for the doggies..... think there would be more room in U.City than in the CWE...... and from what i recall, the houses are a little more affordable than in adjacent areas.......

[Fishtacos]

Originally Posted by suziq999

Hi everyone! My SO and I are both looking at getting offers from Barnes Jewish and making the big move from Houston to STL.

A few things worry me... 1) crime - which I guess I will just live in the right suburb and read the forums here ... and 2) lack of outdoorsey stuff to do. I'm originally from the northwest, but I've been living in Texas for awhile, so I'm really dying to do some hiking/biking/camping. Can anyone tell me how close and fun the Ozarks are for weekend trips? I know they aren't real mountains, but I'm trying to be positive. 3) racism.. I've heard STL isn't well integrated and that worries me. Thoughts?

As far as location, I'd like to be close to the hospital and the park, I think. So we've been looking at CWE, Clayton... Ladue seems a little far out. Any other suggestions for neighborhoods that are fairly close to the park and the hospital that are safe? We like fun, happening neighborhoods. Not necessarily barhopping, but nice places to eat and drink and shop. No kids yet, but will probably send to private school when we have them.

Suggestions? Warnings? Other? Thanks everyone!!!

As spread out as St. Louis is, it isn't nearly as spread out as Houston. Houston's inner loop is similar to the St. Louis version of East of 270.

St. Louis will not have the East and Southeast Asian populations, nor the Hispanic and Central and South American populations that Houston has.

I really don't see all that big of shock or change for you coming from Houston to St. Louis. St. Louis is more passionate about its sports teams. Both cities have smallish downtown areas and rough neighborhoods to go along with the good ones. Houston has much milder winters and both places have high temps and humidity in summer. St. Louis would have an overall better summer weather, not as good of a winter, and cooler Spring that Houston.

Overall metro size, Houston's is much bigger. But you said you are interested in being close to the action, as you would in Houston's inner loop. Clayton would be like a Midtown area in terms of distance from downtown. Don't confuse Midtown Houston with Midtown Stl.

[Mr. Answers]

I've spent a lot of time in Houston (The Woodlands and the along Westheimer near the Galleria) and, lemme tell ya, St. Louis is a FAR better city.

1.) Crime is no worse in St. Louis than it is in Houston. In fact, post-Katrina I would guess that it's a bit safer than Houston. I think the key is that in St. Louis it's much more confined to a few areas in the city, north county, and E. St. Louis. In Houston, because of it's ridiculous zoning regulations, crime and gang activity happens anywhere and everywhere.

2.) Wow. Seriously? It's too bad St. Louis doesn't market itself as a more outdoorsy place to be. Again, St. Louis is entirely more scenic and outdoorsy than Houston. I'm an avid hiker and skier (from Colorado) and I was stunned how busy with nature I've always been in St. Louis. There are several amazing trails overlooking the Missouri and Mississippi river bluffs in west county and near Grafton and Alton. South County and near Wildwood there are some excellent state parks. There is soooo much hiking all over the metro area.

And, like you said, the Ozarks are really very close. Missouri's incredible wine country turns into the Ozarks about 90 minutes or so south of St. Louis. And, yes, it is nothing short of spectacular. They really do make Texas' Hill County paltry in comparison...









Of course you've also got the Lake of the Ozarks a couple hours southwest of town.

3.) Racism is an issue in St. Louis. But it's not overwhelming as in many parts of the south. St. Louis does have an integration problem as do many other cities. But it's more subtle--black dudes in nice cars getting pulled over in West County, for example. It's one of those things that you don't notice unless you look hard enough and it rarely affects you--white or black--on a day to day basis.

As far as where to live--I don't think either Ladue or Clayton is very "far out" at all from Barnes. I would prolly recommend Webster Groves, which is right up 44 from the hospital. It's a neat, older suburban community. If you're determined to stay right near the hospital, the area around Forest Park is very nice. The Central West End is a good bet with lots of culture and nightlife.