From California, Need to find a place to live (St. Louis: apartments, rent)

[killinsound]

Hi all,

I am going to be a first year medical student at SLU, and I really need help finding an appropriate place to live. I would like to stay under 800/month on rent. I have heard there are some really dicey areas in STL and coming from one of the safest cities in the nation (simi valley, ca), I'm really nervous about finding an appropriate place to live. I would prefer somewhere slightly upscale and quieter as I am a light sleeper. Thanks in advance for giving me advice, I really really appreciate it. Finding an apartment from halfway across the country has turned out to be a huge headache.

[STLCardsBlues1989]

$800/month is certainly doable. St. Louis isn't (from what I've heard) quite as dangerous as people think. Upscale sounds more like the Central West End, but it will be farther from St. Louis University. And it won't be as quiet. Lafayette Park and Soulard are nice, though maybe more pricey. I think the area around SLU is sometimes referred to as Downtown West.

Really most areas are just fine. I have heard that Martin Luther King Dr is kind of the border for North St. Louis, which, though it has some nice neighborhoods, are probably more dangerous than any other area of the city. Being a city, there may be some car break-ins, but in any major city you mostly have to get used to that, especially if you want a place pretty cheap.

$800 a month I think is above average price for a 1 BR apartment. But it could also get you a place downtown if that's what you prefer.

Here's some neighborhood info
St. Louis Communities - Downtown Lofts and Urban Living

You could check out Cupples Station Loft Apartments 1 BRs start at $562/month, if they're not full. There are more Cupples buildings currently being worked on. This one is about a block from Busch Stadium. I think it's income-dependent, though.

Sorry I can't be of more help. I'm sure some of the other posters can.

[anr_black]

Try googling the Dogtown, Clifton Heights, Lindenwood, St. Louis Hills or Southampton neighborhoods. You should be able to find a 1 or 2 bedroom in those areas for that price. All those are generally safe, quiet, and located a little southwest of SLU (still in the city).

[aragx6]

I agree with anr_black's suggestions. Any of them should be quiet enough for you, though as older areas, you might not find the "upscale" you're looking for in your price range.

Central West End is very nice (and actually a very short commute to SLU - also easily accessible with metro light rail if you'd like) but most of the options in your price range would be "vintage" and off the busier and bustling streets.

I'd also highly suggest Clayton. It's outside the city limits and quieter, but your commute would still be pretty short. Again though, for $800 you'll be fairly limited.

[deb1305]

What are you used to? I will point you in the right direction. I would suggest Clayton, Richmond Heights. I am a Realtor by the way...not trying to get your business. I know St. Louis

[killinsound]

hey guys, i think i found a place next to forest park.

How's this area?

[STLCardsBlues1989]

Which direction from Forest Park? I'm not sure if that makes a difference or not, just curious.

[Azalea City Man]

The neighborhoods mentioned in this thread are all further away from SLU than the Central West End (although none mentioned are more than 10-15 minutes away, but CWE is like 5 minutes away). We rent a crappy 1-bedroom apartment for $700 a month in CWE and the area is totally safe/walkable. Now, North City is only a mile or two away, but there is no area here (in the city) that is completely safe in each direction. If you want "city-living" and alot of safety though, I would go with Clayton. It would be a 15-20 minute commute though. If you do go with CWE though, I would get east of Kings Highway.

[aragx6]

South of Forest Park is Dogtown which is plenty safe. North should be fine as long as its south of Delmar, but the area is less populated at night. East is fine, west is fine...