Richmond Heights Questions (St. Louis, Kirkwood, Clayton: how much, house, to buy)

[mklein49]

Hi Folks,

First off, I want to say how much I like this website!

Ok, so I'm relocating here from Seattle. I was born and raised just across the river in Illinois. But, I'm looking to move to St. Louis to be closer to work. I've found a place I like in Richmond Heights. It's south of 40 in between Big Bend and McCausland. I really like the geographic location, being close to Forest Park, 40, WashU, not far from downtown, etc. It's very possible I could relocate again in a couple of years, so I want to ensure this is an area where the property values are likely to increase. Or at least not decrease faster than the regions.

I'm wondering if this area is on the rise or the decline. Any thoughts? I know the Hadley project has been delayed. Also, what is the Maplewood school district like. Any other thoughts on this area are greatly appreciated? How safe is the area?


Thanks in advance,
Matt

[STLnative]

I've heard the RH area is on the INCLINE in property value. Of course w/economy that may be hard to see right now but I'd buy in Richmond Heights for sure. I looked over there w/a friend a couple years ago and was amazed at what they were getting for properties. Maplewood Schools kind of iffy, definitely doesn't make the St. Louis top ten, still way better than the city schools. But Richmond Heights is a great centrally located area that is sought out by many, some areas of it better than others.

[ms mac]

Some areas of Richmond Heights are in the Clayton School District. This is a very safe place to live.

[mklein49]

Thanks for the responses. The house I'm looking to buy is not in the Clayton school district. It's in the Maplewood school district.

I should also mention I was looking at in an infill house. It seems there are more in Brentwood and Kirkwood, a couple of other areas I looked at. I guess I want to make sure if I buy an infill home there, there is still a demand.

[wustu87]

Picking between a house in Brentwood or Richmond Heights (in the MRH school district) I would probably pick Brentwood, although it will probably cost you more. There have been a lot of infills in Brentwood, many at some pretty astronomical prices, crammed onto rather small lots. You would definitely get more for your money in Richmond Heights in the MRH district, and the schools there seem to be improving. They still will not be as desirable to families as the Brentwood school district, nor compared to Kirkwood (although Kirkwood is a bit further out.)

[mklein49]

Yeah. I noticed there was a lot of infill in Brentwood. However, the ones we liked were out of our budget in Brentwood, which is how we ended up with Richmond Heights. For us, I don't think school district is too important, I wondering if I buy a large single family home in that district would it be hard to sell in 3 years?

[aragx6]

This is a hard call. Were you certain to be staying for 5+ years, I would have no problem suggesting you buy in RH now, but considering you may only be here a couple of years, I would have some concerns about RH, specifically due to the school issue.

It is going to a deciding factor for many a family, and many of them may well choose that older, less updated house in the more desirable school district.