Kirkwdood/Webster Groves vs Tower Grove/Shaw (Kirkwood, Lemay: crime, houses)

[akr1019]

My family & I are considering relocating to St Louis and have our eye on these two locations. Kirkwood/WG due to the access to high quality free education (we have two young girls, not yet school age) and Tower Grove area due to the amazing architecture of homes and city living. Can anyone provide me in the pros/cons of these two areas? Specifically in terms of access to education, area activities, and overall feel/safety of the areas?

[Hector2]

Kirkwood/Webster

Pros--Relatively close to downtown, each has its own central business district, strong sense of community, good schools, close to shopping, charming housing stock, stable

Cons--not many, they're two of most desired places to live in the region. Not much diversity, Kirkwood's streets seem to be oddly bad in some areas, and some areas of Kirkwood do not have sidewalks for some reason.

Tower Grove

Pros--great houses, proximity to bars and restaurants, great park, great farmer's market at the park, proximity to downtown, central west end, and Grand (the street), the Hill, more diverse

Cons--shopping not as convenient, depending on what specific neighborhood you're talking about there can be some bad pockets, higher crime, earnings tax (a concern if you don't work in the city), city services are not that great, public schools are bad unless you win the charter lottery

[Chicago76]

Originally Posted by Hector2

Kirkwood/Webster

Pros--Relatively close to downtown, each has its own central business district, strong sense of community, good schools, close to shopping, charming housing stock, stable

Cons--not many, they're two of most desired places to live in the region. Not much diversity, Kirkwood's streets seem to be oddly bad in some areas, and some areas of Kirkwood do not have sidewalks for some reason.

Tower Grove

Pros--great houses, proximity to bars and restaurants, great park, great farmer's market at the park, proximity to downtown, central west end, and Grand (the street), the Hill, more diverse

Cons--shopping not as convenient, depending on what specific neighborhood you're talking about there can be some bad pockets, higher crime, earnings tax (a concern if you don't work in the city), city services are not that great, public schools are bad unless you win the charter lottery

I looked at Kirkwood/Webster before we settled around TGP in Shaw, and I agree a lot of what you've said. You might be underselling the Tower Grove area though.

-Shopping: I'm less than 2 miles from a grocery store (Schnucks) and have plenty of shopping options. I'm not a big box shopper, but on the occasion when I do go to these places, I can get to them in less than 20 minutes (any of Lemay, Kirkwood, or Galleria areas). I end up at one of these places every 2 months or so. If you want more one-off boutique style shops, there are many more around Tower Grove than in Kirkwood.

-City services. They're completely fine. My garbage gets taken out once a week. Streets are swept every other. Guys come by to prune trees. It's fine. I've got a really incredible park in Tower Grove. That's a pretty nice service to have.

-Schools. This is the tricky one and why we moved to Shaw. The good thing about Shaw is that you can hedge your bets a bit better than other areas of the city. We have Kennard and Mallinckrodt gifted schools which would stack up with any elementary schools in the region. Those are both lottery+require a test. We're in the catchment area for CityGarden Montessori, which is also lottery. Finally, we've got St. Margaret's. Between those 4 choices, there is a good chance of a kid with involved parents hitting at least one of those (only one of which requires tuition).

[OHgal123]

Just want to throw out there another city gem that is probably an upcoming neighborhood with neat architecture.

Clifton Heights (Hampton & I-44)
People call it a mini-Webster Groves/Kirkwood area in the city. (Simpson, Clifton, Elizabeth and a few other streets have some beautiful old houses with a charming atmosphere located yet located a stones through from busy Hampton Ave and easy highway access as well as Forest Park

63139 is a zip code that is granted charter access to Gateway Science Academy elementary and high school Gateway Science Academies - Concept Schools located at Epiphany of Our Lord (Flyer & Smiley). My children do not attend there but heard nonly praise of the school.

[FrankMiller]

I like Kirkwood, but those city neighborhoods look really cool. I would definitely consider the city if you're down with the urban style and are okay with navigating the more complex school environment.

[billiken]

I really like both areas and looked at houses in both. For me, budget & housing expectations were the biggest driver in deciding where to live. The public schools are excellent in Kirkwood, but in exchange, it's a LOT more expensive.

[mjtinmemphis]

The only reason I would choose Kirkwood or Webster Groves is for the Schools and Target.

[Jessica765]

I grew up in Kirkwood, lived in the city for several years, and moved back for the schools when I had kids. I do miss the city architecture a lot. But Kirkwood is a wonderfully easy place to live with kids--great schools with no hassle, and close to all kinds of shopping. I also like that crime just does not feel like an issue at all.

One note: Kirkwood is a fairly large area, and the architecture and feel vary. If you are close to downtown, you may be able to walk to the library, farmer's market, and coffee shops as easily as many city dwellers; if you're in other parts, it might feel more like deep suburbia.

[billiken]

Originally Posted by Jessica765

One note: Kirkwood is a fairly large area, and the architecture and feel vary. If you are close to downtown, you may be able to walk to the library, farmer's market, and coffee shops as easily as many city dwellers; if you're in other parts, it might feel more like deep suburbia.

This is true. I had no idea that there are basically subdivisions on golf courses in Kirkwood until I started looking for a house there!

[STLCityMike]

There is a variety of shopping not far from Tower Grove / Shaw on Chippewa at both Kingshighway and Hampton.