Where do most of the young professionals live? (St. Louis, Kirkwood: apartments, rent)

[jazzbird13]

Hi, I'm moving to St. Louis in the next few weeks and could really use some advice on the best places to live. I am a young professional and would like to live in an area with young professionals. I enjoy an urban type living setting, but I will also consider living outside of St. Louis in a suburb. I will be working by Forest Park/CWE area. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Oh, and of course, I would like to be in a safe area.

[BoomBoxing]

I'd say your best bet would be to look into:

1) The Central West End -especially sine you'll be working there. It's an amazing urban neighborhood. I can't find much bad to say about it. It can be pricey compared to other places I suppose.

2) Clayton - Just outside the city limits but still very urban and upscale. It's the safest and most quet choice but also probably the most expensive and least "fun"

3) Tower Grove South - Great city nabe and the only one I'm listing without any high rises. It probably has the best cohesive "neighborhood" feel and an amazing array of international restaurants

4) Downtown - Most up and coming choice. Great selection of urban style lofts and a good selection of trendy resteraunts.

[flynavyj]

From my co-workers living in St. Louis city, they typically recommend secured parking, or a garage...While not leaving stuff out in your car, or tinting your windows so folks can't see inside is nice...It seems that people have been rather happy to rummage through the car hoping to find something, or break out windows/jimmy the doors to get a better peak inside...

Inside the city, i'd recommend all those previously mentioned. The CWE is pretty hip and trendy, relatively safe, and very happening...South City (South Grand Area) has made a pretty nice turn around, has some good restaurants, local bars, etc. I think there are plenty of young professionals there, along with young and older blue collar individuals as well, it'll be less upscale than the CWE. Soulard is a very vibrant area, probably a tad less safe, but that has much to do with the number of bars available and that it's a destination location for many young st. louis party goers. There are numerous lofts available, rent can be high, but if you want bars, restaurants, night clubs, it's a pretty happening area. The same can be said for Washington Ave. While Wash. Ave is pretty slick, there's been some crime recently which has caused the police some worry (a couple club shootings) i also think that while Washington Ave has done an amazing turn around recently, the surrounding areas are pretty desolate still which would make me wary of living down there. Do i think you'll become a statistic by living in Washington Ave, no. I have had a couple friends who've gotten into fights down there though as a result of unruly individuals who wouldn't easily let them "walk away".

Outside of the City Limits, i'd recommend Kirkwood. It has a good mix of both Upscale urban and small town feel to it. It's about the only city in St. Louis County that renamed Lindbergh Blvd, calling it Kirkwood Rd (go figure). There are some very nice new apartments and lofts along Kirkwood road, lots of chain type food restaurants plus some local attractions as well. It won't be particularly close to the CWE for your work however but people in st. louis commute much further than that for a job. You could also look at Webster Groves, i think it's a little less "commercial" than Kirkwood (lots of mom and pop type food joints, etc) but at the same time a nice suburban neighborhood...It won't be as happening as downtown, but there is a university there (Webster University) which helps keep some younger people around and an active "party" scene alive...Just don't be that 20 something businessman driving your BMW to college parties

[billiken]

If you work in the Central West End, it seems like the natural choice, unless you're priced out. The area is great--probably one of my favorites in the city, and filled with young people.

[DespicableMe]

I live in Kirkwood and the commute to workplace at Wash U close to BJC is a breeze on I-44. If you are looking at the suburbs I'd definitely recommend this. Very safe and relatively busy on most weeknights and weekends.

Other than that I'd recommend CWE but be sure you like that place and surroundings. Wash ave is pretty awesome.

[DespicableMe]

Originally Posted by flynavyj

Just don't be that 20 something businessman driving your BMW to college parties

Wait a min, I never thought I was part of a stereotype. That explains a couple of things.

[stlcitygirl]

Central West End, Downtown, Soulard, Tower Grove, Benton Park

[wustu87]

Besides all the other excellent suggestions that folks have given, I would add that many young professionals live in the Brentwood, Richmond Heights and Maplewood areas (including many employees who work at Wash U/BJC in the CWE area you mention.) Definitely not as urban as the CWE or Tower Grove areas, but still very popular with younger professionals who want to be close to everything.

[Brickmama]

Start with Washington Ave Downtown, Central West End, and Soulard. They are all great area with a lot of young professional and safe.

Some other areas to consider would be Benton Park, The Hill, and Dogtown. Not as high of a concentration of younger people but really cool neighborhoods.

[Curmudgeon]

In this economy, their parents' basements!