Working in Crystal City; Living in St. Louis (Union, Benton: salons, apartments)

[Wes927]

Hello:

My brother recently secured a job as a principal in Crystal City. He is liberal-minded, and wants to rent in the city of St. Louis (or very nearby) in a neighborhoos that is urban or suburban, open-minded, on the liberal side, and safe.

He does not mind a 30 or 40 mile commute to Crystal City but would like the drive to be as direct as possible.

Keep in mind that he is moving from Boston.

Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[stlcitygirl]

Crystal City is off Highway 55, I would suggest Downtown, Soulard/Benton Park, Lafayette Square. All these neighborhood are right off or close to highway 55.

[Wes927]

Thanks a lot. Citygirl, could you offer any personal insight on these neighborhoods.

[stlcitygirl]

If he is looking for urban neighborhoods, he can't go wrong with any of the above. They all have walkable neighborhoods and some beautiful housing. Downtown is more for the urban professional, mostly lofts and condos. There are several great restaurants and of course you are close to everything downtown has to offer (Cardinals, Rams, Blues, Arch, City Museum, City Garden, Union Station and so on). There is a brand new grocery store with a pharmacy for all of those needs.
Soulard/Benton Park is a mixture of young and older residents as well as young families. Most of the neighborhood is made up of red brick and happens to be the home of the Budweiser Brewery. Soulard tends to be more of a party atmosphere (lots of bars and restaurants) but you can find a house in the quieter areas. Soulard hosts two huge parties during the year (Mardi Gras and Octoberfest) Soulard has a great farmers market as well has a small grocer (Vincents) There are lots of shops,salons, dry cleaners, dentist, etc.
Across the highway from Soulard is Benton Park. Benton Park has been under major revitilization in the last few years and the houses may be cheaper. Benton Park has several restaurants, coffee shops and has a really cool vibe. A grocer just opened to serve the neighborhood,(Pointers 2901 Salina). If you check it out you have to go have lunch at Blues City Deli and a drink at Venice Cafe. You might as well stop at Gus' for a pretzel.
Lafayette Square I believe has the best architecture in the city. There is a great mixture of single family homes, rowhouses, lofts and apartments. In the square they have a park where they hold many activities. They have everything you would like in a neighborhood, (restaurants, bars, dry cleaners, very small grocery inside of Sqwires, wine shops,lots of fun shops, groomes, salons and a brand new walgreens is in the process of being built) The residents are a nice mixture of young and old.

I hope this helps!

[Wes927]

thanks a lot for all of your info. He is a single parent with a young child so safety and livability are veyr important.

If any other posters have agreement, disagreement, or more info I'd love to hear it. Thanks

[muman]

Originally Posted by Wes927

thanks a lot for all of your info. He is a single parent with a young child so safety and livability are veyr important.

If any other posters have agreement, disagreement, or more info I'd love to hear it. Thanks

I second everything that stlcitygirl said. It's good info. The only problem is the schools for the child. I don't know much about private elementary schools in the city, but if I had a young child, I would avoid the public schools in the city. I guess if the kid isn't school age yet it won't be an immediate concern, but obviously it will be in the relatively near future.

[DeBaliviere]

Originally Posted by Wes927

thanks a lot for all of your info. He is a single parent with a young child so safety and livability are veyr important.

If any other posters have agreement, disagreement, or more info I'd love to hear it. Thanks

The Holly Hills neighborhood - roughly 55 and Loughborough - would be a great choice for someone with a child. Very safe, quiet, family-friendly but still close to everything someone his age would want to be close to. It's a really beautiful neighborhood too.

[Wes927]

Thanks for advice thus far. FYI kid will be in private school.

[stlcitygirl]

Holly Hills is another really great option that would be right off 55. The houses are mostly the arts and crafts architectual style, very cute. The area is safe and there are a lot of families with children. They are building a huge rec-plex nearby.

[sixtwobaldguy]

I thought liberal minded meant you were going to save the earth lol Captain Planet (Al Gore when he puts on his cape) will not be happy with his commute.