St. Charles County vs St. Louis County (University City, Maryland Heights: apartment, rentals)

[Riverrunner88]

I have recently accepted a job at Lambert Field and was looking for advice from locals. I know the airport is in St. Louis County, however have heard St. Charles County is nice. I am looking for an inexpensive area, but safe. I do not require nightlife or hip areas or anything like that. I would prefer that average commute be under 30 minutes. Thank you.

[Riverrunner88]

I am also looking at about $750-$900 a month as well. I am in my mid 20's moving along with my wife and no children.

[inahandbasket]

Originally Posted by Riverrunner88

I have recently accepted a job at Lambert Field and was looking for advice from locals. I know the airport is in St. Louis County, however have heard St. Charles County is nice. I am looking for an inexpensive area, but safe. I do not require nightlife or hip areas or anything like that. I would prefer that average commute be under 30 minutes. Thank you.

I suggest you look on the east side of the Missouri river because even though the bridge over I-70 was recently upgraded, the morning and even commutes are challenging. Yes, geographically, St. Chas Co. is relatively close to the STL airport but the commute is tiresome. Any kind of accident or major weather event of course adds delays.

A really nice, family friendly area in STL County is the University Park neighborhood in University City:
Map This neighborhood is fifteen minutes from the airport.

This is *my* neighborhood. It is bordered on the east and west by two lovely parks. The first four streets from south to north are single family houses, the next three streets are mostly duplexes with some four family and six family apartment building mixed in. All of the housing is brick construction. The streets are lined with old growth trees. It's especially pretty in the fall.

This neighborhood is a mix of longtime homeowners in the professions of medicine, law, business, university professors; LOTS of young families with kids; graduate students attending Washington University.

Here are a few of Craig's listings of available rentals in this neighborhood:
Big 2bed/1bath at 7277 Delmar
7026 Amherst (Beautiful 2 bed apt, frplc, hrdwd fls, liv & din rms)
7105 Dartmouth (3 bed, 1 &1/2 bath apt, liv/din combo, hrdwd fls, CA)

[glamatomic]

When I first moved to the STL area 8 years ago as a single girl in my early 20s, I lived in Maryland Heights and highly recommend it! It's in a wonderful location with easy interstate access (and convenient to the airport, only about 10 minutes), and is relatively quiet yet has everything you need within close proximity. It's definitely 'suburbia' so it's not urban or hip, but I loved living there It's safe and peaceful and sounds like it would be perfect for you, especially since you'll be working at the airport!

You could easily get a nice apartment in Maryland Heights in your price range! If you want, I'll PM you the complex I used to live in- because it really had great management and was well maintained!

Good Luck!

[marigolds6]

Your job is AT Lambert Field, but not employed by Lambert Field itself, right?
Just checking, because Lambert Field employees are considered City of St Louis employees and required to live in the City. They cannot live in St Charles County or St Louis County. I assume you would know this already though, so you must be employed by the airlines or some other private entity that does business at Lambert.
(I know this because I turned down a job opportunity at Lambert because they would not give an exemption to the city residency rule for it.)

[Riverrunner88]

I appreciate everyone's help. I am currently looking at the south part of Maryland Heights. I am hired with an airline, not the airport itself.

[flynavyj]

You and the wife, I'd look for a rental home in St. Ann. Check Craigslist. The area is safe, immediately south of the airport and would give you a several minute commute to work, while fitting in your price range...$900/month will get you a 2 Bd Room, 1 Ba, brick rental with a basement.

My mortgage is under $1,000 in St. Ann, and affords me a 3 car garage, 1/2 acre lot, and ~1700 SF of living space. There are some aspects that could be better, school district, some amenities, but it's very near to everything with very reasonable cost of living.