The Hill or Dogtown? (St. Louis, Manchester: for sale, buying a home, safe area)

[Jimmy Burma]

Hey there St. Louis. I still think about the possibility or moving to St. Louis and maybe eventually buying a home and putting down roots (my only big problem with the Lou is it's landlocked otherwise I really think it's my town and I do have some family history there as well). Two of the areas I've considered have been Dogtown and/or The Hill. I have been to both areas (though it's been awhile) and do plan to make a trip out some time soon. In the mean time I'd love to hear from people in STL and especially folks that currently reside in one or the other neighborhood about what they're like now? Which one is generally thought of as being safer? Is The Hill still so tight knit that an outsider might have trouble getting in (doubt it but had to ask)? Which one is more "walkable"?

I'm over the whole going out every night scene so don't mind if the place is a little quiet as long as I'm still reasonably close to the hub bub, which I'm pretty sure both places are and am more concerned about living in a stable, reasonably safe area for myself and my wife.

Oh yeah, I know that Dogtown is generally thought of as an Irish hood and The Hill Italian but I'm pretty sure that neither area is anything close to even half one or the other. So it's definitely not an Italian vs Irish thing. I like em both anyhow.

[TGS]

I think you will be fine in either neighborhood. Both are walkable, but there are some steep roads so if you plan on doing a lot of walking make sure you buy in the flatter areas near the old commercial strips. There are usually less houses for sale on the Hill, so you might find yourself frustrated if you just look there.

The best bet would be to look in both areas and make your decision based on which houses you like best. The Hill may be a little more insular (it is still really Italian) but if you keep your lawn looking nice, you should have no problems with your neighbors. Dogtown is a little more relaxed in that category.

[AJohnston_STL]

Both are great neighborhoods. I live in Dogtown. It is extremely hilly, and there are parts of Dogtown that it would be a good 25 minute walk to get to a restaurant or the liquor store (which we use for ice, soda, sometimes bread, etc). There's no true grocery store in Dogtown so you will be driving to it, unless you live close enuogh to the Walgreens on Manchester/McCausland.

The Hill will give you more options in dining and walkability, but both are great neighborhoods and I would recommend either of them to anyone.

[Azalea City Man]

I personally like Dogtown better, but you can't go wrong either way. Both are great neighborhoods full of great working-class people.