Where to live? Working at U of Missouri Saint Louis (St. Louis: hardwood floors, affordable apartments)

[Hutch34]

I am considering a position at the U of Missouri - Saint Loius and would like suggestions as to neighborhoods to rent or buy. We are a family of two humans and two dogs. Would love neighborhood feel and to be within walking distance to stores and restaurants, small yard, and ability to bike to work at the university (priorities in that order) . Monthly budget for housing will be $1800 to $2500.

All feedback is appreciated. We are excited to explore the possibility of living in St. Louis.

[ms mac]

I don't think the area around UMSL is all that safe a place to live. What about the Clayton or University City area? They have some nice places to live.

[CoffeeAndBeer]

The area around UMSL doesn't have much that is walkable. I'd recommend moving into University City, Clayton, or St. Louis City around the light rail stations which serve UMSL with 2 stops (and you can bike/walk to/from station). It all depends what you like. With your budget, I would think you could find a house with a yard in Skinker Debaliviere or University City that is walkable to Delmar (commercial strip). If you move near a rail station on the cross county line (Clayton, Maplewood, Shrewsbury, South St. Louis City), you will have to transfer trains.

The Central West End on the east side of forest park that also has a light rail stop with high walkablity and fantastic "new york light" neighborhood feel-but you may have trouble finding a yard.

http://www.citynoise.org/upload/19617.jpg

[WalnutPark829]

give historic Ferguson some consideration. its got a great walkable downtown, and its literally 5 minutes from UMSL without ever having to get on a highway. http://www.fergusoncitywalk.com/
http://www.historicferguson.org/

[CoffeeAndBeer]

i don't know much about Ferguson, but i would check it out because there seems to be a good boosterism about it, as well i hear theres a good summer farmers market there. Its near umsl as well.

[aragx6]

I agree with the others -- Central West End or U City Loop are probably your best options. Not bike-able to work, but you can take a quick easy ride on the metro, lost of great restaurants, bars, shops etc., walkable vibrant feel and should fall into your budget.

If you want a yard, I think you'll have better luck in U City, as SFHs are in short supply, and most of them are very nice historical mansion-type places. Most middle class folks live in condos. U City, however, will have plenty of smaller homes that would fall into your price range.

[aragx6]

This place is gorgeous in U City, and less than a half mile to the loop, which has all the restaurants etc.: 1st month FREE, 4BR-3BA Spacious, Fenced Yd, Loop area

[stl105]

Hello! Here's an apartment I found while looking for something similar myself (description copied and pasted):

The 2 bedroom, 1 bath apartment is located in “The Moorlands”. It’s a spacious two-bedroom apartment that includes a large living room, remodeled kitchen and breakfast-room. These apartments were renovated in 2002, have been updated with the following improvements; new plumbing with individual hot water tanks; new electric service; new thermal-pane windows, mini-blinds; central air; new kitchen cabinets and appliances; dishwasher, and disposal.

Other features include: crown molding; ceiling fans; cable and phone connections in bedrooms and living room; individual security systems; refinished hardwood floors; large closets, and CLAYTON SCHOOLS!

It rents for $950 per month. Best of all, if you can sign a lease before December 1st, you will receive $1,500 back.

Please contact me at your convenience if you have any questions or would like to view some pictures or setup an appointment to view the apartment.

I ended up living in the Central West End but the unit was very nice (I took a tour) and had alarms etc. That $1,500 is definitely legit and they said that if you needed to sign a lease a bit later they could be flexible (but the $1,500 would probably decrease). Not sure how they are about dogs though... It's also right by the metro for public transportation.

Anyways, hopefully that's helpful.. Good luck!

[oscottscotto]

Live in CWE, U-City, or Clayton and take the Metro to work. I wouldn't bike to UMSL.

If you are down, I would look at the historic area of Ferguson. It's interesting and is right by UMSL. Still wouldn't bike though.

[WalnutPark829]

Originally Posted by oscottscotto

Live in CWE, U-City, or Clayton and take the Metro to work. I wouldn't bike to UMSL.

If you are down, I would look at the historic area of Ferguson. It's interesting and is right by UMSL. Still wouldn't bike though.

why not bike? if i am not mistaken i believe there is a bike trail that connects downtown ferguson to the UMSL campus.

this article mentions it with a picture of the channcellor riding the trail to the Ferguson Farmers market

and this from the UMSL website mentions the bike path
What's Current for week of July 9 - What's Current

While maybe not “cool,” this is the area where UMSL is, and as such is the
easiest place to find apartments and good close restaurants and coffee houses. The townships of Normandy, Cool Valley, and Ferguson offer affordable apartments (new streetcar lofts just open in Ferguson) and nice independent restaurants for salads and sandwiches and a famous old St. Louis chili parlor, Hodges. The main convenience of this area, though, is you will find yourself close to campus and thus the metro link—two stops on campus—and will be able to be in the Loop, downtown, at the stadium, or in the Central West End
with just a short (3 miles approx) drive. Or you may be close enough to walk. And Ferguson has a bike path that runs under the highway and over a major street to end up at the north campus metro link stop. You can of course take your bicycle on the train or lock it up on campus. The convenience of North County is that we have almost all our MFA readings and parties on campus, not just our classes, so it’s almost as convenient as living on campus, and the metro link goes almost everywhere you want to go, including the airport, just 3 miles west of campus. To find out more, check out the web sites for Ferguson, Normandy, or Florissant.

MFA

Historic Ferguson and Downtown Ferguson (Citywalk) is really on the rise, and has come back to life more than anyone could have imagined. The historic homes in the area are stunning.

For all those who call it the ghetto take an afternoon drive down Elizabeth, Darst, S. Florissant, Clay, among others and I bet you will be amazed at the how beautiful and big the tree lined streets and 100+ year old homes are. Or visit the Ferguson Farmers market which has won several awards including the 2006 Missouri Farmers Market of the year award.
Welcome to the Ferguson Farmers' Market