Cost of living in St. Louis??? Possible move for a job. (University City: apartments, to rent)

[Pito289]

I'm actually interested in moving to St. Louis, for a possible job oppurtuntity, however, I don't know how much the cost of living is... I currently live in Lincoln, NE, pay really cheap rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in the downtown area. (1 bedroom's here can run from 300-600) depending on quality. Just wondering what the comparison would be if your to live in the St. Louis City area. I really like to be part of the city, seeing how I'm in my mid 20's and looking to enjoy the post collegiate life. I kind of into the music scene as well, and I could find an area that coincides with this, I'd like to check it out. All and all I'm interested in what the city has to offer.

[billiken]

Cost of living is very low. Slightly higher than Lincoln on the housing front, but I would say things range from $400ish for a not-so-awesome 1 bdrm to $1000+ to rent someone's beautiful loft downtown. You could easily find something nice for $500-600/mo.

[Pito289]

Thanks a lot, this info will be really useful, doesn't seem to bad at all. As far as the getting apartment in the downtown area, not renting a loft but just apartment would be a little less then 1000+ I'm assuming?

[billiken]

To clarify, downtown is just a neighborhood/area of St Louis City. It's known for it's loft district, pretty much, which is quite pricey. There are many, many other neighborhoods in St Louis City. To name some off that you might be interested in--Soulard, Central West End, DeBaliviere Place & Skinker/DeBaliviere, Forest Park Southeast, Tower Grove, Dogtown. There's also Maplewood and University City, which I think are technically outside the city limits, but feel urban, which I assume is what you're looking for from the sound of it.

[STLMetro]

I agree with Billiken, I think if you were to move here, I would look at areas other than downtown. Nothing against that area, but if you are into the post-graduate music and drinking scene I would check out the U. City Loop and Soulard.

[stlcitygirl]

Check out Soulard, The Loop, Central West End and Downtown.

[stlcitygirl]

Cost of living is cheap, but a little more expensive than Nebraska. Check out Soulard, Central West End, The Loop and Downtown.

[STLCardsBlues1989]

Some lofts and apartments available Downtown. I hope these threads are helpful.
http://www.city-data.com/forum/st-lo...ga-thread.html
http://www.city-data.com/forum/st-lo...town-wash.html

Of course Downtown is not the only area to check out. There have been some good suggestions so far in this thread.

[Todd.LA]

It's pretty cheap, though if there are any $300 apartments here, I'd imagine they're pretty sketchy. I'd look on craigslist, searching in some of the neighborhoods mentioned by previous posters. As Billiken noted, "downtown" is just one of many urban neighborhoods, and it's probably not what you're looking for, since it tends to be more expensive and is definitely not the most lively part of the city for 20 somethings (i.e., most of the area is pretty dead after dark).

[CarrieNeno]

I always point my clients in the direction of the nifty little cost of living city comparison calculator on salary.com. Per their estimate, cost of living in St. Louis is approx. 10% more than Lincoln. Hence, you would have to make 33K in St Louis, over 30K in Lincoln to live comparably. That being said, they also estimate that employers in St Louie tend to pay 12% more than in Lincoln. Hence, if you can find a lateral career switch… cost of living living should be pretty much equivalent, if not slighty better.

It seems about right.

Play with it HERE! =)