Webster Groves, Kirkwood, Glendale, Brentwood differences (Clayton, Rock Hill: city hall, house, wedding)

[virgojg]

Hi all, I recently posted another thread about relocating from Chicago to Stl. I'm not sure what the differences are between these areas: Webster Groves, Kirkwood, Glendale and Brentwood. I also saw references to Rock Hill and Warson Woods. Does anyone want to take a stab at describing how these areas differ? Again, my husband will be working at WashU and we have a 2 year old son. Looking for a 3bed/2bath nice house.

[stlcitygirl]

Brentwood is the most centrally located, closest to Wash U and a metrolink line. It's my personal favorite of the above because of its location. They also have a whole foods, trader joes and it's close to a mall if thats your thing.
Kirkwood and Webster Groves are both great areas with their own little downtowns. I don't know much about Glendale.

[billiken]

The biggest plus for Brentwood is the MetroLink.

Glendale, Webster, Rock Hill, Warson Woods, Kirkwood all feel the same to me, quite honestly. I think they all go to either Webster or Kirkwood schools, which are both very good. The actual downtown areas are in Webster and Kirkwood, but I couldn't tell you where Rock Hill ends and Webster or Warson Woods begin...and I live in Rock Hill.

I like Rock Hill because I have very easy access to both 40 and 44, and am part of the Webster School system.

[CarrieNeno]

Kirkwood and Webster both have a small town feel with great downtown areas, and adorable older homes. Kirkwood tends to be more popular, as it's a tad more central. Webster is a little further south. In addition, per ratings... Kirkwood's school district is superior. Rockhill, Warson Woods, and Glendale border both areas. The communities aren't as strong. The city amenities aren't as plentiful as they are in Kirkwood and Webster Groves where you have community pools, gyms, and great community centers. Homes in these areas that are more central, as opposed to south, and in Kirkwood school district tend to be valued higher.

Per Brentwood... great central location that borders Clayton. Great school district, as well. You will get less house for your money than the previously mentioned areas... but taxes are notoriously LOW. Brentwood is the more urban, fast based community out of your list. Not quite as family oriented and suburban feeling as the previously mentioned. At least the more eastern part. The area of Brentwood around Tillis Park is a GREAT family area but pricey (400K and up).

[billiken]

Ah, the park district stuff--that's the stuff I don't think about since I don't have kids Living in Rock Hill, I still get the Webster/Kirkwood/whatever newsletters, updates on whats going on, etc. It "feels" like part of the same community. You would have to pay non-resident rates on the pools and park distrct activities and stuff though.

Not sure how Kirkwood is more "central" because it's further west of all those mentioned.

[benice66]

I love Webster Groves. We were there for a wedding last spring and it was very impressive to all of us from the upper midwest. The people, foremost, were so friendly, flowers were out all over and all in all a very pleasant city.

[moorlander]

Webster and Kirkwood have nice downtown districts and are 2 of the most desirable suburbs in the entire metro. Glendale is basically Kirkwood and Webster as it's hard to decipher where one begins and the other ends. Brentwood isn't far behind.
Webster has a an artsy/hippy reputation. And I don't mean this in a negative way.

[billiken]

I would agree on the reputation. It probably gets this feel from the fact that Webster University, which I think is known for its arts programs, is there, along with the Repertory Theatre, the downtown area, and the fact that most of the restaurants/bars in the area are local. I wouldn't know where to find a Chilis/Applebees/Fridays if you asked me. There's also the farmers market, which I believe is in Kirkwood. It's a more established area--full grown trees, beautiful homes, good community sponsored activities.

[flynavyj]

Originally Posted by billiken

good community sponsored activities.

Such as fixing race relations Sorry, been listening to an awful lot of KMOX, so i hear something about it every morning.

[billiken]

Originally Posted by flynavyj

Such as fixing race relations Sorry, been listening to an awful lot of KMOX, so i hear something about it every morning.

I think you're referencing Kirkwood...which has had race relation issues since Kirkwood annexed Meacham Park in the 90s, and proceeded to turn some of the area into a big retail project via eminent domain. It became a very hot issue after the 2008 shooting rampage at Kirkwood City Hall.