Commute to Pacific? (St. Louis, St. Charles, Chesterfield: real estate, new home, school district)

[PTP48042]

I have the possibility of a job in Pacific, MO and was wondering what areas are within a reasonable commute. I am ok with 45-60 min. each way, as I am used to this in my current situation in Michigan. I have a decent knowledge of the St. Louis area, but not sure about the traffic patterns. We would want a fairly new home in suburban area (less country than Pacific) with good access to stores and good schools. Price range would be under $225k for a 4 bedroom.

The ideal location is probably West County, like Chesterfield, but it's way too expensive for what we want. The area right across the river, I guess south St. Charles near I-64 or Page Extension, looks good, but not sure about the traffic from there. It appears you could take 141 instead of 270 down from I-64 to I-44, which may help. The other area that looks good is Arnold or Oakville, down I-55, where you can also take 141 or 270 over to I-44. Fenton and High Ridge seem a lot closer, but don't have much in our price range.

Does anyone know what the commute to Pacific would be like from either area, or have other suggestions? Thanks in advance!

[MoNative34]

Ellisville or Ballwin would be a great fit for distance, price range, schools and stores. The housing costs are way lower than Chesterfield.

[aragx6]

That'd be a murderous commute to St. Charles -- easily over an hour during rush hour. I would definitely suggest staying south if you can.

Fenton is good if you can find an affordable home, Eureka would give you a short commute and is cheaper but is still very exurban (not necessarily country anymore, but close)

Arnold would work commute-wise, but Fox schools are only in the average category.

Honestly I think Fenton is your best bet. Make sure you're looking in the Rockwood school district part of it though. I'd send my kids to Eureka schools over Fox schools if I couldn't afford Rockwood.

If you're willing to look at older homes, there should be several updated ones in Fenton in your price range, like this one: 1831 San Lucas Ln, Fenton, MO, 63026 - MLS ID#80051185 - Single Family Home Real Estate - REALTOR.com® (http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1831-San-Lucas-Ln_Fenton_MO_63026_1102518104 - broken link)

If you have more questions, feel free to ask!

[aragx6]

Agree with MoNative. Both those would be good options though they'll stretch your budget to the max and homes in your price range will be in the 10-20 year old range.

[RickMG]

Eureka schools are Rockwood.

[aragx6]

Huh, apparently this is true. I knew there was both a Eureka Elementary and a Eureka HS, so I had always thought it was a separate district ... My bad.

[MoNative34]

Way back in the day when the district was very rural, the high school in Eureka served the entire district while each of the little towns at the time (Ellisville, Ballwin and Eureka had grade schools. Then in the early 60's, Lafayette H.S. was built to cover the northern part of the district that started developing at that time. I think there is a high school in the Rockwood part of Fenton now. I remember the growing pains growing up in the Rockwood district back in the 80's and early 90's and that was after they expanded the schools and still couldn't keep up with the influx!

I don't live in the area anymore, but I'm pretty sure the growth has leveled off enough where they can keep a lid on it.

[MoNative34]

Originally Posted by aragx6

That'd be a murderous commute to St. Charles -- easily over an hour during rush hour. I would definitely suggest staying south if you can.

Fenton is good if you can find an affordable home, Eureka would give you a short commute and is cheaper but is still very exurban (not necessarily country anymore, but close)

Arnold would work commute-wise, but Fox schools are only in the average category.

Honestly I think Fenton is your best bet. Make sure you're looking in the Rockwood school district part of it though. I'd send my kids to Eureka schools over Fox schools if I couldn't afford Rockwood.

If you're willing to look at older homes, there should be several updated ones in Fenton in your price range, like this one: 1831 San Lucas Ln, Fenton, MO, 63026 - MLS ID#80051185 - Single Family Home Real Estate - REALTOR.com® (http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1831-San-Lucas-Ln_Fenton_MO_63026_1102518104 - broken link)

If you have more questions, feel free to ask!

I would also suggest Fenton. You will get a bigger bang for your buck.

[aragx6]

Thats funny MoNative as a kid I went through the same thing in the Francis Howell SD. New schools, boundary changes and "portables" were a way of life. Now it's leveled off there too - even Fort Zumwalt seems to have leveled off some. Wentzville is probably going through it worst right now.

It's definitely an oft-overlooked consequence of moving out to these brand new exurban areas.

[AJohnston_STL]

45-60 mins? I don't have the ability to understand those who can live 2 hours + in their car each day...Heaven forbid a dab of rain, add 30 minutes on.