holly hills & carondelet park area? (St. Louis, University City: 2009, to rent, houses)

[kristikuhn]

My husband and I are moving to St. Louis from Denver in a couple months for residencies at Barnes Hospital. We are looking for a neighborhood that is close & safe. When we visited last month, the Holly Hills area and Carondelet Park seemed nice - the park particularly appeals to us since we will be missing our current outdoors lifestyle and we have a dog. How safe is this area? Will I be able to walk the dog early in the morning or later in the evening? Any other areas? Thanks!

[KCWKEN]

Holly Hills/Carondelet Park area is nice South St. Louis neighborhood. Older families there are mostly German, Italian, and Irish immigrants and now 2nd and 3rd generation. Solid middle class, blue collar neighborhood. A bit of drive from Barnes Hospital though. Have you looked in Clayton, University City, or even parts of South St. Louis between I-44 and Gravois Road along Hampton Ave? There are some really nice homes near Hampton and I-44. Also along 44 just west of the city limits you might want to look around Shrewsbury off of Big Bend, Laclede Station Road, or in Richmond Heights area near I-170 and Hwy. 40.

All of those areas area safe, nice middle class to upper middle class areas with parks, nice homes, etc. and a bit of an easier drive to Barnes than from Carondelet Park Area.

[sluprof1]

Some of the safest neighborhoods in the city are right at the doorstep to BJC/Jewish: Southwest Garden/Shaw/The Hill Neighborhoods. All are within walking distance to restaurants, the botanical garden, teh park. All have appreciating property values... with much more diverse housing that you'll find in the gingerbread house neighborhoods. All have very very strong neighborhood associations (for homeowners and renters!).

[AdamK]

Are you looking to rent or buy? I have a 3 bedroom house on the hill but I just rented it!! There is a great house right down the street from me for a really good price though. its a hidden pocket of 13 year old houses.

[Mcelvis1]

My Grandfather lived on Holly Hills for about 30 years and it is a great neighborhood. It is very close to downtown, nice houses and a great park. I agree with other posters in that it can be a buzy drive to Barnes. I would look at the Hill if it was me. Its a straight shot down Kingshighway. Maybe after living in Denver, the drive to Holly Hills wouldn't seem that bad. As far as being safe....it is extremely safe. Cars tend to fly down Holly Hills though. Federer, the street behind Holly Hills, is also very nice. Early in the morning and later in the evening, you won't believe the amount of people walking dogs, running, cycling ect... If I were to move back to STL, I would definately be looking at the Holly Hills neighborhood.

[straikom]

I am a resident at Barnes and I think Holly Hills is a great neighborhood. My wife and I bought a house near Carondelet park and we have been very happy here. It is a 20 minute 5.4 mile drive to Barnes. I would like to be little closer but this is the closest safe and affordable neighborhood we could find to buy a house in. There is a great sense of community here. We see our neighbors out walking/running/biking all the time and are members of our community garden. Feel free to e-mail me with any questions. We will be moving on in July 2009 for more training.

[anr_black]

Holly Hills is a nice neighborhood, and Carondolet Park is one of my favorites...The houses seem to be larger there than in most South city neighborhoods, especially along major roads.