Where to live...here are my options. (St. Louis, St. Peters: best city, new home)

[Dragon Roll]

My husband has a new job in Fenton and we will soon be looking for a new home for our four kids - 2.5, 4, 12, and 15. We are a relatively young family with both my husband and I in our very late 30's.

I have done much internet research (still doing more) and have read much on these forums and we may have narrowed our choices down some. I know this is lengthy, but, with such a big decision I need as much input as possible!! Thanks sooo much in advance

From what I've read St. Peters is a great town to live in. I like the rec/plex and the homes are well within our range. It seems to have more family "action" then most other towns. I also learned it ranks #60 out CNNMoney.com's list of America's best small cities. The middle schools and high schools look impressive. Also, while DH is away at work there are lots of activities I could get the youngest ones involved in. I don't want to be within a suburb that goes on forever with nothing in it.

His commute would be to Headquarters Park which is on the opposite side of the highway the Chrysler Plant is on. According to GoogleMaps this is a 32 minute commute...how accurate is that? He has a 8:30-5:30 job.

Our other options were:

Fenton (where his place of work is), but, it seems so incredibly suburban with not much to do. How close is it to the city? Because I can always take the kids into the city to do stuff during the day. What parts of Fenton are best for an active family, including one golden retriever? Of course, my husband wouldn't have much of a commute at all - which would be awesome for all of us.

O'Fallon was listed as a best city, too. It was ranked #68. It has great schools, too, but doesn't have the Rec/Plex. I realize the Rec/Plex shouldn't have that much influence on my decision, but, with 4 children this place would be invaluable to us. Where we live currently, we go to the rec center all the time and it isn't half as nice as St Peters.

Thanks and I look forward to the feedback.

[alikat1205]

what about fenton? i just relocated to st. louis and bought a house in fenton. it is in rockwood school district which seems to be the one everyone talks about. it is close to shopping and not far from attractions in the city. and very close for your husband. there are lots of homes in different price ranges. why commute?

[Dragon Roll]

Thanks for the great advice. Now, we will seriously look into Fenton. I really don't want my husband to commute As long as I stay within the Rockwood school district I'm assuming I'll do okay?

What is the commute like to the city? Are there lots of parks and green spaces in Fenton? Also, are there community associations or recreation centers?

Thanks!

[aragx6]

O'Fallon would be a long commute, and if you can afford Fenton or St. Peters, frankly I don't see it being worthwhile.

If you do decide to do St. Peters, your commute time will vary greatly depending on how close your are to the highway, but you're honestly looking at a commute time of 40-55 minutes in reality. Traffic isn't super bad in the St. Louis area, but 270 is the worst. Both Fort Zumwalt and Francis Howell schools are in St. Peters depending on where you live --Francis Howell is a little better, but both are well regarded.

Honestly though. I agree with Alikat that Fenton probably makes the most sense for you. I will say to look at homes in the Rockwood SD part of Fenton, not the Fox portion. Rockwood has some of the best schools in the metro, Fox is about average or just under (not as well regarded as either Fort Zumwalt or Francis Howell either)

If you share your budget and a little more about what you're looking for in a home, we can probably give you some more suggestions or hone in on what areas would be best for you!

[alikat1205]

my husband works in the city and his commute is 15-20 mins from fenton. i do private school but heard that rockwood is one of THE school districts to get into. that's all i know about it. there is a community rec center in ballwin which is about 15 mins away, it costs a little more because you are not a ballwin resident, but it is still inexpensive. they have an awesome pool. i don't know what other activities there are there, since i am still new myself! but it seems like there is alot to do in st. louis and in the suburbs so you should be able to keep the kids busy. i took my youngest to the zoo last week, and other than parking, it was free! and that only took us about 20 mins to get there so not too bad. i am still learning myself so share if you find things to do with the kids.

[aragx6]

From Fenton's Web site: http://www.fentonmo.org/parks_recreation.php

The City currently has over 340 acres of parkland, featuring active and passive leisure pursuits. Fenton City Park amenities include 7 softball fields, 8 soccer fields, 2 basketball courts, 4 tennis courts, picnic pavilions, 2 playgrounds and a 1.4 mile pedestrian/bicycle trail. Neighborhood parks range from 1 to 16 acres featuring playgrounds, fishing ponds, nature trails and pavilions.
The recreation facility is currently at 990 Horan Drive. This 70,000+ square foot building will house indoor and outdoor leisure pools, outdoor competitive pool, 2 basketball courts, indoor walking track, fitness/weight area, meeting rooms, game room, arts & crafts, and aerobics/dance studio.

[alikat1205]

wow, thanks that is good to know, i hadn't seen it yet while driving around!

[aragx6]

Fun kids activities in the St. Louis area! (google them, they all have Web sites)

The Zoo -- one of the best in the whole country and FREE!

City Museum -- The name might sounds lame, but this is one of the funnest places on EARTH to be a kid! (And I'm 23!)

Grant's Farm -- more animals!

Obviously the Arch -- The trip up the legs in the pods is worth the awesome views at the top, and the attached museum is really good too.

Magic House -- in Kirkwood, LOVE this place and the slide at the end!

Science Center -- makes science cool! And they always have traveling exhibits in town.

Museum of transportation -- If any of your kids like trains they'll love this place

Gotta see a Cardinals game, but if you need cheaper baseball you can go see the River City Rascals (semi-pro team) play in O'Fallon - tickets are like $10

The Muny -- Broadway type musicals in a beautiful old outdoor theater

Soulard Farmer's Market -- one of the biggest and best I've seen

Six Flags/Hurricane Harbor Water park -- it's a given!

[aragx6]

Originally Posted by alikat1205

wow, thanks that is good to know, i hadn't seen it yet while driving around!

yeah i didn't knwo it existed -- maybe it doesn't yet? Why does it say "will"?

edit:: This article seems to suggest it does in fact exist: http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/ent...C?OpenDocument

[Dragon Roll]

We would like to stay within 200,000-235,000 range. We could easily qualify for more, but, we have 4 children and I'm an at home mom. So, we want to get the most house for our family.

Our current home should sell for around 305,000 and we would like to go to St Louis with a little cushion.

Wow, you all are so much help. I can't begin to tell you.