St. Ann, MO (St. Louis, St. John: buyers, schools, live in) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

CarrieNeno · 12-13-2009, 09:55 PM

I have sold quite a few homes in St Ann over the years. In most areas, it's the same as 10 years ago. Not a lot of growth OR decline in the past decade, which tends to be the trend there. The areas of St Ann that have always been popular still are, like the neighborhoods just east of NW Plaza and South of St Charles Rock Road. That being said, particularly due to the horrendous decline of NW Plaza, spread of the airport and it's parking, and corruption issues in neighboring municipalities like Breckenridge Hills... other areas of St. Ann face some MAJOR challenges.

You will see a lot of change north of St Charles Rock Road and in the eastern limits of the city... but the core of St Ann remains the same. The main depreciation has been in area amentities, like the virtually empty mall. Strictly speaking investment, Maryland Heights, Bridgeton, and the brick bungalow areas of Overland are superior.

flynavyj · 12-14-2009, 05:44 PM

Thanks for the info. I've noticed the same with the area, not much growth, if any at all. I've seen a few homes pop up on adie within the last few years, but that's about it. What does surprise me is that people are fetching up some of the cheaper property in the southern district of the city for tear downs and rebuilds. I've seen plenty of property that'd be much more expensive to purchase do the same thing in bridgeton and maryland heights.

As far as northwest plaza goes, i was there when it was a vibrant area, watched it's decline, and see it in shambles now. I personally think it'd do better to be destroyed and the property used for any other type of commercial businesses, than for it to sit in it's current stay of disarray. If it could be revitalized however, that'd be great. But i'd seriously doubt that it will be able to compete with some of the larger and more afluent malls in the area. Bringing in a police presence could be great for dropping "crime" but it doesn't do much to make people feel safe...aka, needing a police presence doesn't help anyone. All malls have vandalism of some sort, but mall security would probably be the best answer. Not a police department, just plane jane mall security.

Marksman84 · 12-14-2009, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlcitygirl

Move to Soulard!!! I live around the corner, lots of young professionals, families and empty nesters.

Soulard is most emphatically not a good place for children. You're better off in a Western suburb or even St. Charles County.

AJohnston_STL · 12-15-2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marksman84

Soulard is most emphatically not a good place for children. You're better off in a Western suburb or even St. Charles County.

Explain yourself, would love to know why you feel this way. I see kids riding bikes around the neighborhood every time I go to Soulard. If it's because there are a lot of bars, then I guess small towns filled with bars (like my old hometown) is also a bad place for children.

MoNative34 · 12-15-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJohnston_STL

Explain yourself, would love to know why you feel this way. I see kids riding bikes around the neighborhood every time I go to Soulard. If it's because there are a lot of bars, then I guess small towns filled with bars (like my old hometown) is also a bad place for children.

You could simply ask the poster to clarify himself without insinuations...

billiken · 12-15-2009, 02:20 PM

I wouldn't say Soulard is bad, I just think there's probably better areas within St Louis city to raise children. Soulard is just more of a young person's area, in my opinion.

flynavyj · 12-15-2009, 08:59 PM

When i was younger i wouldn't spend any time in soulard except for the market. I believe the area has made some pretty vast improvements in 20 years. However, even though we hang out in the neighborhood, and i work in the neighborhood, i don't think it's very high on the "move to" list for us. It's very young,very trendy, and not quite what we're looking for, in terms of our future.

STLCityMike · 12-16-2009, 03:03 PM

I recently moved from Soulard to the Lafayette Terrace, due primarily to the need for more living space, and the the value of the dollar between the two. I thoroughly enjoyed my 8 or so years living in the heart of Soulard. In fact, it often felt to me like a small town in the middle of the city. That being said, it IS in the city, and you have to be aware of your surroundings. I do not have children, so that has never been a factor for my selection of neighborhoods. At any rate, I just wanted to add that Soulard is a wonderful neighborhood!

AJohnston_STL · 12-18-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoNative34

You could simply ask the poster to clarify himself without insinuations...

There is no other reason that it could be.

Marksman84 · 12-19-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJohnston_STL

There is no other reason that it could be.

Maybe you should explain should yourself?

Soulard is cool - for 21-30 somethings, not young elementary-aged children (my wife and I have a 7-year-old). Other than Benton Park (which in itself is highly suspect for safety) and the STL Boys Club, where can the kids acutally play?