Chicago relo pondering move to St. Louis city neighborhood vs West County (University City: transplants, to rent) - Missouri (MO) - City-Data Forum

virgojg · 01-25-2010, 07:02 PM

My husband has been offered a reallly good position at Wash U's medical school so we are seriously considering relocating from Chicago where we both grew up. I have to admit I don't know St. Louis very well, and have been reading as much as I can online. I am concerned about moving out to the West County burbs because I don't want to feel stuck and/or isolated since I have a 2-year old son. Granted we'll have a car, but I'd prefer to be able to walk to shops, restaurants, community rec centers and to see other people out and about.

I have found a cute and affordable house in University Heights in UCity (~300K), but from what I've read, it sounds like there are pockets of good and not-so-good areas. I like the fact that it's close to the Delmar Loop, Forest Park and the University. Many posters have also commented on the various city neighborhoods that I would like to explore as well like Shaw, Lafayette Square and Tower Grove.

I'll be in town soon to do some house-hunting (~300K). Any suggestions would be welcome as far as what I should consider about living closer to the city or out further in west county. (I realize it may be smarter to rent for awhile first, but we would like to take advantage of the low interest rates and the buyers market if possible).

Additional info: we currently live in the Beverly area of Chicago. I'm guessing it's similar to UCity as far as having pockets of affluence surrounded by some pretty dicey areas. It's fine since we grew up here and know the area, but I'd like to make sure that if we move, I'm in a completely safe area that I can walk around and not worry about ending up on the wrong block.

ktCakes · 01-25-2010, 07:17 PM

It really depends on what makes you feel safe. Where I live, in Shaw, it goes block to block. Not like, your life is in danger if you turn down the wrong block, but some blocks don't have as strong of block leadership or have absentee landlords that rent to horrible tenants. There are tons of families here who make this neighborhood home, many transplants from Chicago. $300 will get a nice-sized, very cool old house.

There is a good amount of nuisance/property crime (still only effects 5% of the residents) but not a lot of violent crime. The vast majority of violent crime is domestic. If you drive through our neighborhood you will see lots of families out and about walking to the park or the cupcake shop or just toodling around. Tower Grove park is a family mecca, especially the fountain pool in the summer. You will still need to drive or bike (a short distance) to the grocery, or the Y.

The thing with raising kids in the city is the schools. We send our kids to an amazing Montessori Charter School. Many in our neighborhood, send their kids to a very good parish school (Catholic or not) or the Soulard School (excellent, sliding scale tuition) or they go to Kennard (gifted magnet, though the state has been cutting gifted programming) or The St. Louis Language Immersion School (another nearby Charter). These aren't typical public school options. If you are looking for traditional public schools, then the county would be the way to go, though you don't have to go as far as West County.

virgojg · 01-25-2010, 07:34 PM

Ok, is Creve Coeur considered West County? It seems to have a strip on Olive that I could walk to for shopping, coffee, etc. I'm just worried about being stuck in an established suburb where everyone is from there and has no need for new friends. I was thinking University City may have more transplants from elsewhere that may be open to making new friends. Or I could be completely off-base, I don't know.

Brickmama · 01-25-2010, 07:51 PM

U City is a good choice if you are south of Olive. You may also want to look into Tower Grove, Lafayette Square, or the Central West End (probably best bet). My preference is city since its alot different than West County in terms of culture, things to do, etc.

stlcitygirl · 01-25-2010, 08:01 PM

U-City would have a LOT more to do than West County. I would check out the area and see what you like. I would feel perfectly safe in most areas of U-City. If you like living in an urban or inner suburb with stuff to do, choose: innerburbs: Brentwood, Richmond Heights, University City, Maplewood. Within the city limits: Shaw, Lafayette Square, Tower Grove South, Clifton Heights, St Louis Hills, Holly Hills.

billiken · 01-25-2010, 08:16 PM

For those who are unfamiliar, Beverly is a neighborhood in the city of Chicago. The area has houses with lots of charm, and is pretty diverse (cool mix of Irish Catholics and African Americans). Surrounded by some not-very-nice areas with lots of crime. This leads me to believe that many of the neighborhoods mentioned within the city limits will be a nice fit.

ktCakes · 01-25-2010, 08:34 PM

Creve Coeur is going to have you living basically in a suburb and you may be able to walk to a strip mall but the streets may or may not have a sidewalk. Try renting in U City. But, the problem there again, is the schools. BETTER than SLPS, but still not so good.

Marksman84 · 01-25-2010, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billiken

For those who are unfamiliar, Beverly is a neighborhood in the city of Chicago. The area has houses with lots of charm, and is pretty diverse (cool mix of Irish Catholics and African Americans). Surrounded by some not-very-nice areas with lots of crime. This leads me to believe that many of the neighborhoods mentioned within the city limits will be a nice fit.

How is that diverse? That's two groups lol! Do we assume the African Americans (a/k/a Blacks) are a mix of Baptist, Catholic, Jewish etc.? My wife - who is Black - cracked up at this post - "Instant Diversity, Just Add Black!"

To the OP - since you have a child, stick with the Western Suburbs - you'll be happier in the long run. Creve Coeur is a great place to live, and you're 10-15 minutes from the Loop, Forest Park and other places of interest. We don't have the intense Chicago traffic, and it's pretty easy to commute around here.

virgojg · 01-25-2010, 09:42 PM

I have to admit - I'm not looking to replicate where we live now. As Biliken put it, we do have a gorgeous house but I can't walk anywhere. Being in a new city, I'd like to be centrally located in an area that is more open to newcomers.

billiken · 01-25-2010, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marksman84

How is that diverse? That's two groups lol! Do we assume the African Americans (a/k/a Blacks) are a mix of Baptist, Catholic, Jewish etc.? My wife - who is Black - cracked up at this post - "Instant Diversity, Just Add Black!"

My friend from the area has me under the impression that the area is diverse in terms of religion (originally heavily protestant, then catholic, baptist, methodist, etc) and economic status (some houses selling in the 7 figures, with plenty of other options in reach for middle income people since it's not "trendy" to live there) in addition to the black/white/little hispanic population.

I get that you're trying to say that diversity means more than "just add black." I just want to point out that most Chicagoans think southern part of the city = poor black people, so the diversity in terms of religion, economic status, and the white population is surprising to many.