St Louis VS St Charles, MO (St. Louis, St. Charles: apartment complexes, to rent, crime)

[emwynters]

I'm looking for somewhere to live in the St Louis/St Charles area. I'm 24, and live near Quincy, IL. I am wanting to move here because it's close enough to my friends and family so I (hopefully) won't get as homesick, but not so close my parents can control my every move...

I have some concerns though.

1. I'm looking to rent, but I don't know anybody in the city. Where would you look for roommates if you were new to a city? (I'm trying to be safe, especially as a 24 year old woman.)

2. Does STL or St. Charles have the Missouri Tarantula or is it too far north? Is it common to see them in your home?? I'm terrified of Spiders, tarantulas, and spider-like insects/bugs. I know there's nowhere that has no spiders, but I'm mainly concerned about the Missouri tarantula. D:

3. Are cars necessary, and if so, is it hard to drive in STL? I'm from a town of 3000, and I have never driven in the city before. I usually catch onto things quickly, but it takes a bit for my anxiety to quiet down.

I'm not afraid to move out. I'm quite excited, especially for a new city!!

I just don't know if anybody would rent to me since I wouldn't have a job, but I will have roughly 5 months or rent and utilities to cover me before I make this move. So I'm looking into that, but in the mean time, those questions stick in my mind most. And don't assume those are the only priorities I have, in order. They're mainly my worries..

I'm trying to choose between STL and St. Charles. Which would you recommend?

Please don't tell me not to move here or that it isn't for me or a good place to live! I understand the dangers of this area, but I'm not letting it discourage me.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

[MUTGR]

I know this is a troll post but I'd suggest getting a job first, then moving. But either way, good luck!

[emwynters]

Originally Posted by emwynters

I'm looking for somewhere to live in the St Louis/St Charles area. I'm 24, and live near Quincy, IL. I am wanting to move here because it's close enough to my friends and family so I (hopefully) won't get as homesick, but not so close my parents can control my every move...

I have some concerns though.

1. I'm looking to rent, but I don't know anybody in the city. Where would you look for roommates if you were new to a city? (I'm trying to be safe, especially as a 24 year old woman.)

2. Does STL or St. Charles have the Missouri Tarantula or is it too far north? Is it common to see them in your home?? I'm terrified of Spiders, tarantulas, and spider-like insects/bugs. I know there's nowhere that has no spiders, but I'm mainly concerned about the Missouri tarantula. D:

3. Are cars necessary, and if so, is it hard to drive in STL? I'm from a town of 3000, and I have never driven in the city before. I usually catch onto things quickly, but it takes a bit for my anxiety to quiet down.

I'm not afraid to move out. I'm quite excited, especially for a new city!!

I just don't know if anybody would rent to me since I wouldn't have a job, but I will have roughly 5 months or rent and utilities to cover me before I make this move. So I'm looking into that, but in the mean time, those questions stick in my mind most. And don't assume those are the only priorities I have, in order. They're mainly my worries..

I'm trying to choose between STL and St. Charles. Which would you recommend?

Please don't tell me not to move here or that it isn't for me or a good place to live! I understand the dangers of this area, but I'm not letting it discourage me.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

Originally Posted by MUTGR

I know this is a troll post but I'd suggest getting a job first, then moving. But either way, good luck!

Thx

[STLCityMike]

What town near Quincy are you from?

[emwynters]

Originally Posted by STLCityMike

What town near Quincy are you from?

Hamilton, IL
It's a tiny town.

[STL74]

1. I'm looking to rent, but I don't know anybody in the city. Where would you look for roommates if you were new to a city? (I'm trying to be safe, especially as a 24 year old woman.)

I'd probably live alone, but I preferred that before I was married anyway, so no help there...

2. Does STL or St. Charles have the Missouri Tarantula or is it too far north? Is it common to see them in your home?? I'm terrified of Spiders, tarantulas, and spider-like insects/bugs. I know there's nowhere that has no spiders, but I'm mainly concerned about the Missouri tarantula. D:

Answered in the other post

3. Are cars necessary, and if so, is it hard to drive in STL? I'm from a town of 3000, and I have never driven in the city before. I usually catch onto things quickly, but it takes a bit for my anxiety to quiet down.

Yes, a car is fairly necessary and it is very easy to drive here. However, you could probably take some lessons on city driving if you wanted to.

I'm not afraid to move out. I'm quite excited, especially for a new city!!

I just don't know if anybody would rent to me since I wouldn't have a job, but I will have roughly 5 months or rent and utilities to cover me before I make this move. So I'm looking into that, but in the mean time, those questions stick in my mind most. And don't assume those are the only priorities I have, in order. They're mainly my worries..

I would look for a job, but if you have the deposit, you'll probably find someone to rent to you.

I'm trying to choose between STL and St. Charles. Which would you recommend?

Depends on what you want. Since you are from a small town I would likely stick to the suburbs until you get some city smarts built up. Depends on your budget as well. I prefer St. Louis county to St. Charles county, but St. Charles county has some nice areas too. The Old St. Charles area might actually be a fun place to live at your age.

[MOforthewin]

Been 5 years since i moved from St. Louis.

Is St. Charles County building up a lot still? It seemed traffic was getting really bad there the last few years and that's a big complaint I hear.

[RisingAurvandil]

Originally Posted by MOforthewin

Is St. Charles County building up a lot still? It seemed traffic was getting really bad there the last few years and that's a big complaint I hear.

The outer reaches are still growing. Near Wentzville and Lake St. Louis. Not growing as furiously as the 90s and 00s though. A lot a growth is now shifting into Warren and Lincoln Counties, where land is still cheap.

Traffic has never been bad in StL, and certainly not in St. Charles. Even during rush hour, I could make the 30 mile drive from Maplewood to Lake StL in 45 min. Sometimes less.

[STLCityMike]

Originally Posted by emwynters

Hamilton, IL
It's a tiny town.

I asked as I am from outside Quincy, in NEMO. Anyhow, the city has great neighborhoods, and one of my favorites is Soulard. It is just south of downtown, and has a small town feel right smack in the middle of the city. They have started to build more large scale apartment complexes. Rent's are higher here. I might suggest looking for a studio apartment just until you get the lay of the land and decide where you want to be.

You will hear a lot about crime in St. Louis, and it is a concern. Most of it is targeted, gang / drug related but there are indeed innocent victims. The recent increase in crime is not specific to our city, but I hope they are able to get it under control You will want to sharpen your street smarts (don't leave valuables visible in a parker car; be aware of your surroundings etc.)

The Central West End is also desirable and as a result has higher rents. It amenities include access to public transportation and Forests Park.

Fringe neighborhoods of these two can offer lower rents - Benton Park, Benton Park West, Lafayette Square, The Grove, DeBaliviere .. of course Tower Grove South as well (access to Tower Grove Park).

I have never seen any large spiders. I live in the Gate District in a school house converted into apartments and rent has increased in the last few years, a likely contributor is all the new homes going up around me in then i would suspect increasing property values.

Personally, I left rural NEMO / Quincy area for a more urban lifestyle, and while there are some aspects of that in St. Charles, that area is by far more car dependent and suburban than St. Louis city. Get off of the highway, see the neighborhoods turn of the news and talk to people and experience the lifestyle. Good luck.

[Sassybluesy]

You know OP...maybe consider the Alton/Grafton IL area to move to? It's close enough to St. Charles AND St. Louis area, and IMO, Alton is a really cool place.


I live in the St. Charles area, and we have a lot of young people because of Lindenwood University. A local 'hotspot' that I can tell, is the newish "Streets of St. Charles" area, which seems to attract a lot of people, and there are lots of apartments and entertainment in the area.