Best Neighborhood if working in Arnold (Imperial, Fenton: real estate, for rent, townhouse)

[tholumar]

Hi everyone, I'm currently presented with the opportunity to move from the Suburbs of DC to work in Arnold, MO. My wife is due with a baby at the end of the year and I'll be losing her income, so the drastic decrease in cost of living is appealing to me. Today we rent a townhouse for 1900/mo and we're looking for more space and stability after we have our son,

If I were to be working *in* Arnold, and the housing range that we're looking for is between 180-250k, what would you say is the best area to buy in? My wife would be home with the baby during the day and we're generally used to being close to everything we need. A long drive to the grocery store/movie theater/restaurants isn't really what we're looking for.

We don't live in the city today, we're used to driving places, but... not more than 5 minutes normally (unless it's commute during rush hour, but thats one of the things I'm trying to avoid.)

We're looking for something that has a lot of families, good schools, and where we can make friends with people of a similar age (and with similarly aged kids I guess).

I've looked at Arnold in the real estate websites, and... the price seems right, but I haven't been able to visit yet and I'm wondering what it's like living there.

Thanks,

Jason

[latetotheparty]

the oakville area in south st. louis county sounds good for you..... it is just a quick jog down telegraph road to jeffco blvd to get to arnold proper from there.....

several grocery stores and lots of restaurants along telegraph road in oakville.

[chrokee69]

But it takes the hwy. dept a while to get out there during and after a snow storm. It would be better in the Arnold area. Plus 1900. is very high for a town house, could get a house for that.
I live here in Arnold and you would have to look and see what you are interested in.

[tholumar]

Thanks for the replies! Any opinions on Fenton or Imperial?

Chrokee69, we'd be buying in Missouri if we move there, unfortunately where we live today 1900 for a townhouse is actually pretty good for rent (for the type of place we're in). The place we live in would be in the upper 300s if we wanted to buy it :-(

[latetotheparty]

in fenton, you would be going against traffic..... either on 141 or 270..... to get to and from work..... so that would be doable...... as long as you are working typical business day hours......

imperial is just the next "town" south of arnold..... so also very close and convenient...... i am in barnhart.... the next "town" south of imperial and work in fenton..... its about a half hour give or take for me to get to work.... but i am self employed and can go in and come home at odd times so miss the worst of the traffic on 141 and 270......

suspect that fenton may suit your housing and neighborhood and shopping requirements better though......

will you be at the defense mapping agency?? if yes..... imperial will be even closer for you..... my former next door neighbor worked there and it was very convenient for him to get there and get home..... but out this far, i still have to go 2 exits up 55 to richardson road to get to a decent grocery store and other shopping....... (target, home depot, etc.)