Newer suburban life with subdivisions, chain restaurants, etc? (St. Louis, St. Charles: cul-de-sac, how much)

[finzup2]

Where are the "newer" areas with self-contained subdivisions where kids can play in the streets and not get hit? Lots of kids' sports and soccer families?

I like newer homes, clean and "alike" is fine by me! I like chain restaurants, big box stores and SUVs :-); which I know many abhor. What St. Louis areas would fit the bill?

[MoNative34]

I'd look into St. Peters, O'Fallon in St. Charles Co, Ballwin and Manchester in West Co., and Edwardsville/Glen Carbon over on the Illinios side.

Lots of options and best of luck!

Originally Posted by finzup2

:-); which I know many abhor.

Ignore them.

[finzup2]

Thank you! I love some of the older downtown communities like St. Louis Hills, but my kids are used to playing basketball in their cul-de-sac and riding bikes in their neighborhood. I'm not sure they could handle the adjustment :-).

[AJohnston_STL]

You can ride bikes and play basketball in an urban neighborhood, even if you are in an urban suburb. You don't have to be in your 30k-millionaire McMansion bub

[aragx6]

How much are you looking to spend? That'll significantly affect my suggestions for outer ring suburbs as they can vary quite a bit.

There are many inner ring suburbs and outer ring city neighborhoods that have many children playing basketball and riding bikes -- in the suburbs with good schools but an inner ring feel with older homes you could look at Clayton, Richmond Heights, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Rock Hill, Brentwood and many more.

St. Louis Hills =/= downtown.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by AJohnston_STL

You can ride bikes and play basketball in an urban neighborhood, even if you are in an urban suburb. You don't have to be in your 30k-millionaire McMansion bub

Why such hostility? Doesn't the OP have the same right to choose where they want to live?

As much as I like "urban" and lived in the city for years, there is no way in heck that I would raise small children in the city, largely due to a mediocre public school system.

[finzup2]

Originally Posted by AJohnston_STL

You can ride bikes and play basketball in an urban neighborhood, even if you are in an urban suburb. You don't have to be in your 30k-millionaire McMansion bub

Having lived in Lincoln Park and Brookfield in my single days in the Chicago area, I just don't see kids safely riding bikes there. I like 15 MPH or less residential streets. If you know where those are in the inner loop, let me know :-).

[finzup2]

Originally Posted by jlawrence01

Why such hostility? Doesn't the OP have the same right to choose where they want to live?

As much as I like "urban" and lived in the city for years, there is no way in heck that I would raise small children in the city, largely due to a mediocre public school system.

And, that too is an issue. I have 1 child with developmental delays and private schools are not the best for her. We need to be able to have a strong system in place that we can work with. I've checked out St. Louis Catholic schools but they seem very 1950esque in the dealings with children with special needs. Valley Park looks great for us...but like it may be a major flood hazard!

[cyrano]

My observation is that you'll find more of what you seek, the farther away you get from St. Louis city. St. Peters and WingHaven on the west side, some of the Illinois suburbs on the east (with which I am not familiar, sorry).

[aragx6]

I think all residential streets for the most part are 25 mph unless you're in a private development.

Without knowing your budget, I really can't give you the best suggestions, but my initial thought is that you'd probably be quite happy in St. Peters -- 45 minutes into the city, good public schools, newer housing, lots of chains.