Just got a job in Chesterfield. I don't want to live there. (University City: apartment, neighborhood)

[TheER777]

Hello. I just got a new job in Chesterfield, but would probably blow my head of from boredom if I lived there. I am a 24 year old recent grad with a dog. I have been trying to find a decently updated 1 bedroom apartment/loft/studio for anywhere from $700-$925 a month.

Here are some of my requirements to help you understand what I am after.

Less than a 30 minute commute.
Proximity to a park for my dog.
Semi updated apartment.
Walking distance to great food and bars.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[billiken]

I'd focus on living in the city somewhere close to Hwy 40 near Forest Park. I have some clients in Chesterfield, live in Dogtown (south of 40, north of Manchester, west of Hampton, east of McCausland approximately), and I'm realistically around 25 minutes to Chesterfield. Your budget gets you an updated place in our neighborhood, pretty safe, close to the park, with a few bars and restaurants (more down to earth, not trendy).

If you're looking for something more trendy or dense, I'd suggest Central West End, but depends on what you think of your options at the price point. It's definitely more buzzing, but still close to Forest Park and the highway. More expensive, though. Maybe the Grove.

[Dawn10am]

Look at the Central West End, the Grove, Dogtown, Skinker-DeBaliviere, DeMun, the Loop, and Maplewood. Basically anywhere east of Big Bend, west of Vandeventer, north of Manchester, and south of Delmar. Some of those areas are more hoppin' than others, but all offer good access to 64/40 and Forest Park.

[jribe]

what time would you be committing? The city and all places mentioned above will be much higher than a 30 minute commute. I live in Brentwood and it takes me 20 minutes most days during the normal 7-8 am and before 4:30; if it's in the 5:00 range is more like 25-30 minutes from mid town.

Chesterfield would be more like 45-60 minutes on most days- i have many friends that work with me in midtown and do that commute. And when it snows- much longer.

[billiken]

I actually do this commute, and it is not anywhere close 45-60 minutes--I think you're thinking the opposite direction since you're talking about work in midtown. Traffic backs up with people getting to Clayton but is completely clear after that headed from the City westbound in the morning...which is why I'd suggest something in the western part of the City.

[Caesarstl]

Originally Posted by jribe

what time would you be committing? The city and all places mentioned above will be much higher than a 30 minute commute. I live in Brentwood and it takes me 20 minutes most days during the normal 7-8 am and before 4:30; if it's in the 5:00 range is more like 25-30 minutes from mid town.

Chesterfield would be more like 45-60 minutes on most days- i have many friends that work with me in midtown and do that commute. And when it snows- much longer.

60 mins? Like from SAFB???

[NewStLouisan]

Ha, saw your post on reddit too. You've gotten some good suggestions. Central West End, the area around the Delmar Loop (Skinker DeBaliviere, University City), Dogtown, even near Downtown Maplewood, would all be good options.

[jribe]

Originally Posted by Caesarstl

60 mins? Like from SAFB???

nope.. chesterfield to midtown.. 45-60 minutes. It took me 25 minutes to get to brentwood leaving at 4:30 this afternoon. And i drive faster than the speed limit on most days.

[Caesarstl]

Originally Posted by jribe

nope.. chesterfield to midtown.. 45-60 minutes. It took me 25 minutes to get to brentwood leaving at 4:30 this afternoon. And i drive faster than the speed limit on most days.

I'm a little confused. It takes you 25 mins to get from Midtown to Brentwood and you're going over the speed limit (so not stuck in traffic), from where to where?

As another poster mentioned, the starting point is closer than Midtown and the overwhelming majority of the traffic is leading up to Brentwood/170 so...

[jribe]

I'm saying when i *can* i go faster than the posted limit- but that's not often. Mostly i'm stuck going about 10-20 mph until brentwood. I'm just saying i moved here from out of state thinking oh 8 miles isn't bad! and now i see why people complain.. because it can take 30 minutes to go 8 miles. I live in Brentwood and commute to midtown st louis in the morning and back to brentwood in the afternoon. Typically around the 7-7:30 am and 4-5pm times. Chesterfield is much more congested as i have many friends that live there and i have driven to and from there during commute times and it has been awful each time. If the OP is needing to go to chesterfield often i would just say to live there. There's enough traffic in chesterfield to make it a hassle enough but add to that the commute from downtown and that's enough to go insane.