Walkable - transit - Asian/Chinese (St. Louis, Chesterfield: house, neighborhoods, school)

[projectmaximus]

Did a bit of research already but still have some question marks. I found that the STL metro area in 2010 was home to ~8k Viet, ~15k Chinese. Wikipedia says the Chinese pop is clustered in the CWE. Reading the threads here I'm not so sure there's any visible Chinese or Asian enclave though. Or whether there's any excellent Chinese food. (Yelp looks worrisome) I did read about some businesses on Olive in U City, but is that really where it's at?

Hoping to find a walkable area to live in with decent carless access to some Chinese stores/restaurants.

TIA!

[RisingAurvandil]

There used to be an old Chinatown on the south side of downtown, but it's long gone.

Olive does have a lot of Asian(not necessarily Chinese) food and businesses, but you'll need a car there. There really isn't a solidly Chinese area in St. Louis. They're spread out and well integrated.

I'd say your best bet would be South Grand, north of Utah. You could probably go carless there. But once again, it's multi-ethnic, and not necessarily Chinese.

[STL74]

My family is half Chinese. The overall asian population in StL has been growing, but is pretty integrated. There is not really an area that is heavily Chinese...however, our experience is that the vast majority of the population is centered along the central/west county corridor (easy access to 64/40). Chesterfield seems to have a growing Chinese population, but is not remotely walkable and the Chinese food out here is not that great...better if you are looking for Korean food in Chesterfield, and Korean Markets. Great Korean bakery on Olive in Chesterfield. U City/Clayton will be more walkable. In the city, I agree that the area around South Grand is multi-ethnic and better for being within walking distance to at least some good Chinese food and an International Grocery.

I find that along Grand the Vietnamese food is the best, but the Chinese offerings are not as great (there is a good bakery at Wei Hong). Olive in UCity is going to be the best Chinese food. Is it Toronto? SF? NYC? No. It's not. But it's been improving quite a bit and it's pretty darn good (at least good enough to make my Chinese husband happy). His favorite Dim Sum is actually Mandarin House in Overland (170 and Page). St. Louis Bubble Tea in the Loop and in Chesterfield is the best bubble tea in town.

[GoCardinals]

Originally Posted by projectmaximus

Did a bit of research already but still have some question marks. I found that the STL metro area in 2010 was home to ~8k Viet, ~15k Chinese. Wikipedia says the Chinese pop is clustered in the CWE. Reading the threads here I'm not so sure there's any visible Chinese or Asian enclave though. Or whether there's any excellent Chinese food. (Yelp looks worrisome) I did read about some businesses on Olive in U City, but is that really where it's at?

Hoping to find a walkable area to live in with decent carless access to some Chinese stores/restaurants.

TIA!

I am not aware of downtown or St. Louis City area Chinese food Restaurants but the best I have had so far is this small place called, China in Bombay.

Their food has a spicy kick. Chili Chicken , Chicken 65, Chicken with Garlic Sauce, and Hakka Noodles are my favorites.

China in Bombay
14626 Manchester Rd, Ballwin, MO 63011

[FrankMiller]

All the local Chinese people I know favor the restaurants on Olive.

[projectmaximus]

Originally Posted by RisingAurvandil

I'd say your best bet would be South Grand, north of Utah. You could probably go carless there. But once again, it's multi-ethnic, and not necessarily Chinese.

Is it pretty inconvenient to go carless in that area? I'd say our tolerance for public transit might be a bit higher than the average American, but still not looking for something really inconvenient. On the map looks like that area also isn't close light rail, so it's reliant on buses?

Originally Posted by STL74

My family is half Chinese. The overall asian population in StL has been growing, but is pretty integrated. There is not really an area that is heavily Chinese...however, our experience is that the vast majority of the population is centered along the central/west county corridor (easy access to 64/40). Chesterfield seems to have a growing Chinese population, but is not remotely walkable and the Chinese food out here is not that great...better if you are looking for Korean food in Chesterfield, and Korean Markets. Great Korean bakery on Olive in Chesterfield. U City/Clayton will be more walkable. In the city, I agree that the area around South Grand is multi-ethnic and better for being within walking distance to at least some good Chinese food and an International Grocery.

I find that along Grand the Vietnamese food is the best, but the Chinese offerings are not as great (there is a good bakery at Wei Hong). Olive in UCity is going to be the best Chinese food. Is it Toronto? SF? NYC? No. It's not. But it's been improving quite a bit and it's pretty darn good (at least good enough to make my Chinese husband happy). His favorite Dim Sum is actually Mandarin House in Overland (170 and Page). St. Louis Bubble Tea in the Loop and in Chesterfield is the best bubble tea in town.

hehe...yeah I wasn't expecting Toronto or SF. Thanks for all the details about the various neighborhoods. Tbh it doesn't sound like St Louis would be a bit long term, but I am still intrigued by the city and hope we can give it an extended visit someday!

[RisingAurvandil]

Originally Posted by projectmaximus

Is it pretty inconvenient to go carless in that area? I'd say our tolerance for public transit might be a bit higher than the average American, but still not looking for something really inconvenient. On the map looks like that area also isn't close light rail, so it's reliant on buses?

South City is a bus reliant area, although the Grand bus runs every 10 minutes or less. It all depends on where you are traveling. If you need to be in the outer suburbs for any reason, transit will be highly inconvenient or impossible.

If you work or attend school near a Metrolink line, then it will be convenient to live near it. If not, I don't think I'd limit my options to it. Outside of the City and its immediate suburbs, you will need a car.

[FrankMiller]

Enterprise Carshare is useful according to my downtown-dwelling friends, so if you only occasionally need a car you can consider that service area (which I can't seem to look up at the moment).

[projectmaximus]

Thanks!