Apartment-hunting: need help! (St. Louis: home, school, live)

[emma_schultz]

I'm trying to find a place in St. Louis, but am apartment-hunting with someone who has lived here his entire life, and all of what he says conflicts with my research. He's given the "it's not really very good" shrug to tower grove, Shaw, Bevo Mill, and downtown. So I wanted to get a few opinions here, because I'm an ignorant nob when it comes to STL.

First, I'm looking for places near Tower Grove park. Is this a decent area, and is there enough within walking distance for someone without a car?

In Shaw, I've been leaning towards Mobot. Is this where I should be sticking? Is Shaw as iffy as this guy is saying? Good? So-so?

I'm also looking at a place on Varrelman ave in Bevo; would appreciate any thoughts on this area. Also a place that says it is in Bevo and is on Lansdowne ave. Is this area safe?

I'm also looking at north and south Hampton, near south Kingshighway. My tour guide says that north KH is bad, so my question is--how far north before it gets bad?

I know this is a lot of disconnected questions, so any random answers anyone can provide would be great. I'm totally overwhelmed and a bit frustrated with so much conflicting information...

[mufilm]

In order to get an accurate picture of your needs, can you tell us a bit more? Do you have school age children? Do neither of you have a car, or are you open to getting one? Where will you be working? Would you prefer an apartment building or more of a duplex-style? What is your price range?

Sorry to answer your question with more questions! The areas you mentioned are generally very safe and active. With regards to the North/South divide, it's generally accepted that Delmar Blvd. is the dividing line. South of that you're okay, Norht can get a little dicey.

[emma_schultz]

Yes, I'm sorry; a long day of frustration was not helping me think clearly.
I have no kids; I'll be a grad student at SLU. I have no car, and no ability to get one.

My price range is between 6-9 hundred, with ability to go up to 1000 if I absolutely had to, but that's not ideal.

One other factor I need to consider, all of my classes finish after 8 in the evening. So while I have no intentions of strolling around at night, i do need something where I can get home safely, even in the winter months when it will be dark by the time I leave SLU. I am not particularly intimidating, so I can't rely on my ability to look scary.

Hope this has been more helpful than my previous insane ranting.