Bad Areas in St Charles/Peters area, Ballwin (St. Louis, St. Charles: house, YMCA)

[bmk95]

I am wondering where the bad areas would be? Is there an area in Saint Charles or Saint Peters that is bad (like along a certain road, in certain sections, etc)? Or elementary schools that are known to be in bad areas?

Also, any thoughts on Ballwin? Our realtor suggested some homes in that area as well. They were a bit pricier but I'm not sure where we would want to live. My husband is working in Bridgeton. I will be looking for a job and work in the corperate world so communiting to Clayton could be a possibility for me. My husband keeps looking at homes in O Fallon, MO and that worries me becuase of what my commute might be when I get a job. He says the traffic isn't that bad from the few times he has been out there but I keep reading differently on here. We like Saint Charles/O Fallon area but it seems so less 'great' from the places like Kirkwood and Clayon.

We have two children in elementary school. I want good schools but we also want a decent house between 195K-205K. We are moving from the South so the cost of living and homes are more expensive by far then we realized. I know places like Parkway have wonderful schools but we can't afford to live in anything decent there without me having a job.

But living in Saint Charles I worry about the commute for me. Also, I worry the schools aren't that great or even half compared to Parkway or the other schools I've heard great things about in St. Louis county. Any suggestions? We want to live near shops and Wal-Mart, Target, food places, etc and be close to the YMCA or Rec plexes since our kids are involved in all sports. I want areas with good sports programs, affordable housing and good schools. And easy for me to commute. Yes, I want it all! =) Any other towns I am missing to look at with decent housing and good schools?

[aragx6]

At your price point I definitely suggest St. Peters. I wouldn't probably go as far west as O'Fallon if you aren't sure where you'll be working, but even if you end up going downtown, St. Peters shouldn't give you any more than a 45 minute commute during rush hour.

The schools are very good; it's not really worth worrying about, but as a general rule Francis Howell schools are slightly better than Fort Zumwalt. I wouldn't be concerned with sending my children to either, they're both well above state averages.

Ballwin is a very nice area, but your budget, as you have probably seen, won't take you very far.

I think you could learn to really like the St. Peters area. Lots of families, all the big box shopping you could desire, easy access to all the major highways and lots of sports and recreational opportunities.

I know because I grew up there! If you have more questions, feel free to ask.

[aragx6]

You know, I think I lied. Looks like there is more in Ballwin in your price range than I would have originally expected. Like this place:
Single Family Home - 1130 Villaview Dr, Ballwin, MO, 63021 - Realtor.com

[TGS]

Look in the Parkway South school district (generally the Parkway district area south of Manchester Road). It is usually substantially less expensive than Parkway West or Central.

[Dennnis]

Originally Posted by bmk95

I am wondering where the bad areas would be? Is there an area in Saint Charles or Saint Peters that is bad (like along a certain road, in certain sections, etc)? Or elementary schools that are known to be in bad areas?

Also, any thoughts on Ballwin? Our realtor suggested some homes in that area as well. They were a bit pricier but I'm not sure where we would want to live. My husband is working in Bridgeton. I will be looking for a job and work in the corperate world so communiting to Clayton could be a possibility for me. My husband keeps looking at homes in O Fallon, MO and that worries me becuase of what my commute might be when I get a job. He says the traffic isn't that bad from the few times he has been out there but I keep reading differently on here. We like Saint Charles/O Fallon area but it seems so less 'great' from the places like Kirkwood and Clayon.

We have two children in elementary school. I want good schools but we also want a decent house between 195K-205K. We are moving from the South so the cost of living and homes are more expensive by far then we realized. I know places like Parkway have wonderful schools but we can't afford to live in anything decent there without me having a job.

But living in Saint Charles I worry about the commute for me. Also, I worry the schools aren't that great or even half compared to Parkway or the other schools I've heard great things about in St. Louis county. Any suggestions? We want to live near shops and Wal-Mart, Target, food places, etc and be close to the YMCA or Rec plexes since our kids are involved in all sports. I want areas with good sports programs, affordable housing and good schools. And easy for me to commute. Yes, I want it all! =) Any other towns I am missing to look at with decent housing and good schools?

I live in O'Fallon, Missouri, and commute to St. Charles every day.

If you leave O'Fallon prior to 7 am, you are ok. If you leave after that, you will do 25-40 mph all the way in. Not fun at all.

[bmk95]

Originally Posted by Dennnis

I live in O'Fallon, Missouri, and commute to St. Charles every day.

If you leave O'Fallon prior to 7 am, you are ok. If you leave after that, you will do 25-40 mph all the way in. Not fun at all.

Does it really take that long just to get to St. Charles? I thought that whole area was kinda close together. So how long would rush hour from O'Fallon to Clayton be?

[aragx6]

Traffic on 70 just west of St. Charles (near the Hwy 79 exit) is nasty every morning. O'Fallon to Clayton will be right at 45 minutes each morning.

edit: That assumes you are very near the highway in O'Fallon. If you live farther out you'll be adding time on obviously.

[photobuff42]

I think you would like the area near Harris Elementary in St. Charles. Harris is an excellent school.