Atheist/agnostics accepted in Webster Groves/Kirkwood? (St. Louis, Florissant: condo, house)

[Prple]

Would a liberal, agnostic/atheist family feel accepted and welcomed in Webster Groves/Kirkwood? Any other suggestions in the $250k range? Thanks!

[zach_33]

you probably would feel comfortable in Webster Groves, at least in parts of it-- I have heard that north of I-44 is considered the more liberal section of Webster. Kirkwood is a little more conservative by my reckoning, although I know there are some liberal, lifelong residents of Kirkwood who would take issue with my saying so. If that is the part of town that has captured your imagination, you might also consider Glendale-- it is right there between those two municipalities and, from what I understand, has a somewhat younger, somewhat more liberal/progressive vibe, albeit entirely residential. I think the inner-ring suburb with the most tolerant vibe with regard to political and religious affiliation is probably University City. Public schools in Kirkwood/Webster/Glandale are considered far better than U City though. Most folks who could afford a $250k house in U City don't send their kids to public schools beyond 6th grade. St. Louis is pretty conservative on the whole, but there is a pretty easy to find community of liberals and agnostics/atheists if you know where to look.

[aragx6]

I can't think of anywhere in St. Louis where you would have problems as an atheist -- and I'm an atheist. As liberals I would second Zach's suggestions -- if schools are an important consideration for you be sure to look into the city's magnet and charter options as well.

I don't know that I'd say St. Louis is pretty conservative -- it's an old-school union town, so while I wouldn't call it particularly progressive I would call it liberal.

I adore Webster Groves and Kirkwood -- the closer you can be to their downtowns the better.

Can I also assume you like older homes with character? You'll fit right in with the inner-suburb crowd if you do. You can also look at Richmond Heights, downtown Florissant, Shrewsbury, Maplewood, Rock Hill, etc.

[Fishtacos]

You would be accepted fine in those areas. There are a wide mix of views in those areas from liberal to moderate to conservative, more diverse in range than some other parts of town. As long as you don't force your views upon others regardless of what they are and as long as you are a solid/decent/good neighbor, you will do well.,regardless of faith or lack of it. It's like anything else in life, if you are seeking trouble, you will find it, and if you aren't, you won't. Obviously you will come across and be neighbors with people of varying faiths or lackthereof in those areas. Most won't care what you are or aren't. They'll want to know if you are nice, and take care of your lawn. Most of those two areas mentioned are seemingly filled with Christians of some variation but don't let that concern you. There is tolerance and diversity there too. Kirkwood and Webster are very politically active places with diverse views. They are two highly desirable burbs in Stl.

[Prple]

Your comments have been very assuring. Thanks for all of the suggestions too, I've been looking at all of them. It seems like there are lots of options in terms of older, established neighborhoods...

[KitINstLOUIS]

Originally Posted by Prple

Would a liberal, agnostic/atheist family feel accepted and welcomed in Webster Groves/Kirkwood? Any other suggestions in the $250k range? Thanks!

My family is pretty skeptical about everything we're told without verification. If we must have a label, I'd say we're agnostic. Maybe I'll be an atheist if we ever get a unified theory, lol.

We bit the bullet, sold a gorgeous 5 bedroom house in Virginia to live in a condo here. Most the people I've met in Clayton are also skeptics, educated and thoughtful. Even those who go to church or synagogue. There is, by the way, a Universalist/Unitarian Church here, atheists are as welcome as anyone. I might go some day.

The thing going best for Clayton, in my view, is that it's one of the 25 best public school districts in the USA, and it is right next to U. City. It's expensive, but there are people who spend 18,000 a year to send their kids to this school.

We live in a modest 3 bedroom condo for about 300,000. I could have a gorgeous 4 bedroom just miles away for the same price, but the school thing is all-important to us.

Yeah, the kids are hobnobbing with the ultra-rich, as well as kids at their own socio-economic level, but it hasn't damaged their values, and they aren't one iota afraid of mixing with people different from themselves. There are bright, talented kids here from every race and ethnicity.

I've found, to my surprise, that ykids can be as kind, mature and thoughtful as any other kid. But they are kids, they can be stupid and arrogant too, like anyone. I'm not apologizing for the rape of the poor by the well-to-do in this world, but I like the idea that my kid can handle himself around kids and adults far above his economic status. just saying. something to think about.