Good Suburbs of St. Louis (Columbia, St. Charles: relocation, real estate, budget)

[stl75]

I also could not disagree with Jerry more, I love living in the Webster/Kirkwood area. Great schools, both public and private, community feeling, housing is a bit overpriced for my taste, but my wife really wanted to live here after moving from south county. I also disagree with the notion of avoiding minorities. Besides all of the obvious comments I could make. The street I have lived on for almost 10 years has a diverse racial and ethic background. Great friends and neighbors. Jerry appears to have an ax to grind with the City. We visit the city often for restaurants, sporting events, concerts and to sit with friends.

[dataman1]

My opinion for you would be right across the river in St.Charles there are
tons of new develpments and older nice areas there at your price range.

The drive is not that bad if you go west to Ofallon or St. Peters and those
are great all around areas.

Kirkwood Webster isnt all it's cracked up to be as far as I am concerned
and there is a section of it that has gone very gangsta very fast, I forget
the name. They like to kill police and stuff like that.

My other recomendation would be Creve Coeur/Maryland Heights/ST.Louis/
by westport plaza. Between highway 40 and 70 off highway 270. You have
to look hard but there are nice houses in the best location of the entire
city around and wouldnt be a bad drive either.

There is my 2 cents

[Remgee]

I am partial to Webster Groves. Moved here from Michigan in 1978. Raised 3 children who walked to public schools, library, YMCA, "downtown". There is a university, tons of churches, culture (Repertory Theater and Opera Theater St. Louis), diversity of housing (80% SF), convenience (20 minutes to airport and Downtown/stadium), mature trees, historic districts, great parks (including city rec center with pool, indoor ice rink, gym, tennis courts, and soon to be built work-out facilities), tradition (Turkey day HS football is oldest rivalry west of the Mississippi), safety (I admit to leaving my home unlocked occasionally), great neighborhoods..... 5 minutes from brand new metrolink light rail extension, which can get you downtown stadiums, airport, Clayton county government center, and other major points of interest downtown via a clean quiet safe train ride.

Housing ranges $125,00 to $1M+, a bit pricy for what you get, but worth the amenities, location, and growth potential. You can get a decent house for $250,000, particularly if it needs updating.

Kirkwood is similar, but a tad bigger. Similar neighborhoods, but bigger "downtown" and more spread out. Also has some new "big box" development which Webster lacks.

[GraphicQueen]

Never forget to let the people know that not only will they be able to buy an over-priced home in the Webster-Kirkwood area they can also mpay enormous taxes on said over-priced home and property. It is a beautiful part of the general St. Louis County area but they are most definitely over-priced and have been for decades.

I went to Pattonville High School and that was before it is where it is now. When went there it was on the Rock Road right across from Northwest Plaza. The Plaza was built when I was still in high school there. I lived in the old Carrollton subdivison and my father worked for McDonnell, now Boeing. Things were different back then, that is for sure. I understand that Bridgeton has basically been gutted for the airport and that is what I am looking forward to seeing when we come back for a visit as soon as we sell out place and start RVing full time. I look forward to seeing the changes in the St. Louis area, city and county and surrounding counties.

GQ

[pcrawford]

Originally Posted by BSL63087

Anyone know of any pretty nice suburbs of St. Louis that have a lot of newer houses (anywhere from brand new to about 10 years old or so) and a low crime rate?

Any help is appreciated.

One of the many areas in St. Louis with newer homes is the Florissant/North County area. They have builty approximately 10 new subdivision in the last 8-10 years. There are at least 3 new ones being built as I write this email. Not to mention pre-existing homes. The homes are affordably priced from the upper $100s to as high as the upper $500s...something for everybody.

E-mail me for more specific information.

[maryfrk]

Hi,

It was mentioned that St. Charles is a traffic nightmare. I disagree. We have four bridges across the Missouri River, the newest one being the Page Extension/364. This has helped the traffic substantially. If you are planning on working in North County, you would be going the opposite way of most of the traffic.

St. Charles County has great public school systems, one offering year round school.

As for the housing market, there are many new homes being built and some very nice established neighborhoods.

Good luck on your move!

[lynnew]

Please ignore the recommendation for East St. Louis. That must be someone''s idea of a joke. It is across the river in Illinois. Once upon a time it was a lovely place to work and live. Now it is one of those places where no one wants to even drive through, expecially with your windows down and your doors unlocked.

What everyone is saying about the commute problems from St. Charles is true but I lived there for years and loved every minute of it. I adjusted my driving times around the rush hour and while it was still busy it was not harrassing. There are many lovely, new subdivisions out there.

Kirkwood does have a lovely and historic persona. But I have not noticed too many new subdivisions there.

Many people are looking across the river into Illinois because St. Louis is running out of space. But you must look farther than East St. Louis. Try looking up towns east of Fairview Heights.

Good luck!

[aplong]

Our family is also moving to Saint Louis (in December) from SW Colorado and we're hoping for a similar environment to what we have in CO. Our price range is up to about $800k and we're hoping for something with an acre or two where my daughter could keep her horses. Are there any areas of this type, where the commute into W. St. Louis won't be a complete nightmare? My husband's office is going to be in an area called Maryland Heights.

Thanks,

Adriana

[bls5555]

Move to Chesterfield (western suburb). Great Area, Great Schools, Close to everything with a very easy drive. I have lived there for the past 5 yrs and it is wonderful.

[Lipton2]

bls555 - agree completely. Aplong, with your price range you can totally afford living in Chesterfield. Also consider Creve Couer, which is right next to Chesterfield. It has sort of a central location with easy access to all major highways. Depending on where you live it is probably no more than a 20 minute commute to Maryland Heights. Public schools in that area are considered among the best in the St. Louis area.