Wentzville, MO (St. Louis, St. Charles, St. Peters: how much, house, luxury)

[bmk95]

Anyone have any information on the Wentzville, MO area? We are relocating to STL area after our house sells and I've been looking at St. Peters and St. Charles area but we see a house we like in Wentzville. I have elementary age kids and my husband will be working in Bridgeton. Is this a nice area? Are the schools reputable? Are the sports reputable?

Thanks!

[STLCardsBlues1989]

If you like Wentzville, then go for it, I guess. My only concern would be the distance from Wentzville to Bridgeton (about 30 miles). And if you wanted to go into the city it would be almost an hour's drive probably.

If you want a shorter commute I would recommend St. Charles, Maryland Heights, or maybe Creve Coeur. Those would also be closer to the city, so if you wanted to travel into the city for ballgames or to visit museums, or nightlife, then it would be quite a longer trip.

What is your criteria for the town (apparently schools is one of them, I can't really help you there)? And how much of a concern is commute? What's your budget?

Also, could a mod move this to the St. Louis forum? Thanks.

[wustu87]

Wentzville to Bridgeton in rush hour would definitely be a lengthy commute. I would agree with the suggestions of St. Charles (and southern and eastern St. Peters), northern Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights and also Bridgeton itself (the western, newer construction there.) I am thinking primarily the Parkway North and Pattonville school districts in northwestern St. Louis county, both of which have strong academic and athletic programs. I am not familiar enough with the schools in St. Charles county to say much about them.

We actually drove out to a band competition at Wentzville Holt High once (on a Saturday morning) and it took us 45 minute from Creve Coeur with no traffic. The high school was definitely large and had an impressive band too! I am also curious how GM's financial misfortunes will treat the Wentzville area since GM is such a large presence there.

[aragx6]

Wentzville has been growing like leaps in bounds and their schools have had a rather hard time keeping up. Fort Zumwalt and Francis Howell's schools (the latter especially) are much more respected. Taxes as such have been going up too. It's VERY far out, and traffic on 70 east is VERY bad around St. Charles, so expect a lengthy commute.

[Mr. Answers]

Wentzville is a great area. It's one of the exurban hot spots on the fringe of a major metro area--and was recently ranked as Money Magazine's top 3 cities for families (I think it was top-3, but it might have been a little lower down the list.) Wentzville schools are solid and the area is remarkably affordable. The only real downside is that it is, in fact, exurban: you are a sizable drive from Clayton, downtown St. Louis, and many of the cool malls and shops in central STL County. Plus, you're amidst the sea of suburbia which you may or may not find attractive.

Bottom line: it's a great area for families and if you don't plan on driving downtown too often, it's a steal.

[RhondaHMo]

What's wrong with Bridgeton? Or Maryland Heights? The Pattonville school district is pretty good.

-Rhonda

[AJohnston_STL]

Wentzville is waaay out there. I can't figure out why anyone would want to live in a town that is growing so big, but still so far from the city. It's just going to be an overcrowded "suburb" some day but without the luxury of being within 20 minutes of the city. Heaven forbid someone who lives there should get a job downtown. People too often think of the job they have right now. I like to think "What would happen if I lost my job in west county, and got a job downtown?"