Apartments around Forest Park- what are the good/bad areas? (Washington: fit in, rental)

[Relayer85]

Where is the best area to live around Forest Park, the actual park itself? We've been looking at apartments to the North and Northwest of the park. Are crime rates higher? What about in the central west end? My fiancee looked up crime rates and apparently they are quite high in that area. If anyone can give me street names or areas to avoid, that would be great. Thanks!!!

[gypsyj]

Check out the FPSE neighborhood.

[Brickmama]

The areas surrounding the park are safe. There are occasional petty crimes such as car break ins, vandilism, etc. Once you go north of Delmar the area starts to become a little more crime ridden. Debalivere, Skinker-Debaliviere, and the CWE are all safe great neighborhoods.

[oscottscotto]

They are all fine directly around the park. However, I would highly suggest either the East end of the park south of Washington/Olive and west of Newstedt or Boyle (otherwise known as the Central West End area) or the anywhere on the West end of the park by Wash U (known as the east end of Clayton or Wash U area).

[aragx6]

Ha! ya'll got schooled:

"02-27-2007, 09:53 AM" -- that's the date of the op

[STLCardsBlues1989]

I was wondering why you guys were replying. It's been 2 years. The question has probably been answered.

[santos]

Well I'm interested. I'm moving down June 1. I've lived in STL before and love it so the only culture shock I expect will be surprise at the growth of the city.

I was going to buy straight away but decided to rent for awhile so I'm looking at areas other than the CWE and I love the area. Ideally I'd like a place for a little doggie to go outside--a bit of a yard, just a sliver since I'm not into yard work. I like a bit of character.

In STL I lived at the Park Plaza--the 3rd floor low-rent district--which I see is now condos in the jillion-dollar range. I remember there are a few old apartment buildings too that may have vacancies but I don't know anything about them. Do you?

Dogtown has been recommended to me. Any recommendations for a rental in that area? I'd like to move down with a 6-mo lease in hand and all I really need is safety, off-street, preferably covered parking, and a.c. I'm a hippie type at heart and a painter by day so that's my culture, I supplement with a bit of contract office work.

I'm serious about the move now having determined to just let my place sit on the market until it sells instead of taking it on and off with the seasons (I'm in Phoenix).

I'm a mature adult with doggie and kitty. I hope someone will help us find a home.

[aragx6]

Santos,
My intuition is to suggest the Tower Grove South area (like this place: 2 Bedroom in Tower Grove Park South CLOSE to Park!!!), but if I knew your budget a little better I could probably make a better suggestion.

Tower Grove South has probably changed a lot since you lived here last, but I suspect you'd fit in nicely there now. I also think Dogtown is a solid suggestion.

[santos]

That looks good ara! I found one on CraigsList and after numerous conversations and pictures I was about to send out a deposit when a bell rang. It was a scam and a darn good one. Damn! I'm a little gun shy about CL now so that's why I was asking for personal recommendations.

[ms mac]

I am newly widowed and looking for a place around Forest Park, Richmond Heights, Maplewood area. I need everything on the first floor, apartment size washer and dryer included, one bedroom ok. Have 2 old cats. Don't want a basement. Can't go higher than $750.00. Thanks for any suggestions.