I might be moving to St. Louis and wondering what you locals think about the place and where is a good part of town to live in? I would have to live near Wash U. Also how is the traffic?

 

closer than bama

 

If they want to shut down Highway 40/61 traffic is going to be horrible.

 

Traffic isn't too bad. When will you be moving?

 

Traffic around washu is terrible, especially in the morning/evening rush hours. It's probably gonna be way worse when they close 64/40 next year. If you're going for school, you should probably try to get into the dorms at washu. They may not be the greatest, but at least you won't have to drive to get to your classes.

 

There is also regular housing within walking/bike distance for people who might not want to live in a college dorm. And traffic isn't horrible down there. Its just traffic. It is manageable in my opinion.

 

I went to SLU (its right next to WashU) last semester and traffic wasn't any worse than normal. I drove from the IL side to SLU everyday.

 

Traffc isn't too bad, unless you try to get somewhere during rush-hour. Besides, they are working on another ight rail line that goes right along side Wash U. Stay within two miles of Wash U and your fine. Whether they close 64/40 is almost irrelevant, 40 has some of the worst traffic in town.

University City is cool (nice sort of bohemian area, although the chain stores have moved in), the West End is good (especially down around MacPherson/Euclid, also a bit bohemian), Clayton is too expensive and shall we say, "hoity-toity". Dogtown is relatively cheap (south side of Forest Park, between Hampton and MacCausland (MacCausland becomes Skinker at the southwest corner of the park and goes north in front of Wash U.

Stay out of Wellston.

 

It all depends on what you want Phil. If you want a house, you're going to pay out the a$$ getting one anywhere near Wash U that's nice. If you want an apartment or Condo, then there are lots of options around there. Why do you say it has to be close to Wash U? I wouldn't want to live around there anywhere. The traffic IS horrible in that area, all the streets are always under construction, and it's going to get MUCH worse when they start on Hwy 40. And if you like your privacy, you won't get it in that area. It's the most population dense part of town.

Then again, I think STL pretty much sucks overall ...

 

negative nancy.

 

Most likely summer of 2006.

No I will be working at the Wash U research area near or in Barnes Jewish Hospital.

I definitely want a house and garage is a must.. I'm willing to drive 20-30 mins tops during rush hour (about 10-15 miles from the hospital).
My younger brother bought a house on McPherson ave (sp? and I don't know what that area is called) but I don't think I could afford to live there. Also, he's not too familiar with surrounding areas.. Even though he lived there for 8 years.

So, STL really suck??

How is the Rotary Scene?? I did sell one of my FD shell in Stl...

 

No, STL doesn't really suck. But Ballwin sure does....


MacPherson is the West End. And expensive.

If you want anything reasonable, go straight south on Kingshighway, BJC is on Kingshighway (at the east end of Forest Park), and look at the area west of Kingshighway, south of Fyler. The Jamieson/Fyler (HWY 44 and Jamieson) area can provide some decent prices on decent houses. Basically, west of Kingshighway and south of 44, as far as you want to drive. The farther south or west you go, the less character of the houses and neighborhoods, but they get cleaner and relatively safer as you go.

It'll be tough to find anything 'affordable' along the 40/64 corridor. Plus it will be a hassle getting around, even more so once 40/64 is closed. Either use the Metrolink or find a place near BJC you can afford.

 

Rotary scene is pretty strong but........ you've got the cool rotary guys and then the weirdos.

 

Opelbits, Thanks for that great insight. I'm still deciding and will on Mid March 2006.

Lupe, good to hear that there are strong rotary scene. Hope to hang out with some of you if I relocate.

 

hahaha wierdos lol who might u be talkin about?

 

You're reading him wrong....he is saying there are 'cool rotary guys' and 'weirdos'. See, it's like this, it's not the rotary guys that are 'cool', it's the rotary itself. If your motor is blown (again), it doesn't run, if it doesn't run, then it's cold, as in 'cool rotary'.

So, what he is saying is thast if your car runs, you're a wierdo....


herblenny-
No problem. Obviously my advice and comments aren't suitable for everyone, there are some serious economic and cultural issues to deal with when moving from one city to an unfamiliar one. But I wouldn't tell you an area is good if it isn't. Those areas are decent to live in for an average middleclass person. If you require, shall we say, an 'upscale' lifestyle, then there are some other possibilites. But I gather that relative safety and an ability to keep an FD at home are of major importance. Some areas are not so.....conducive to that. The loft district downtown is cool, and in some cases the same price as a modest house in a modest area, but it's not exactly a 'neighborhood' by any measurement. Nor do you have convenient parking or anything you could really call a 'garage'.

How long has your brother been here? What part of MacPherson does he live on? I used to live a block north on Westminster and a little east of Kingshighway. I really like it down there, but it is silly expensive now.

 

i think it goes

cool rotary guys = drunks, and weirdos is anyone else.

 

Opelbits, thanks again for your input. That's exactly what I'm looking for.. Some where its reasonable and safe. If I do move to St. Louis, I'll be there for about 3 years.

My younger brother went to Wash U. medical school and now doing his residency at Barnes. So, he's been there for awhile. I believe 8 years now (7 years for his MD/PhD and 2nd year in his residency). He bought the house when he first moved to St. Louis. All I remember is that there is a police station on MacPherson and he lives just up the street. He did tell me that his property almost doubled in priced in past 8 years.

 

I really enjoy St. Louis.

 

at first i thought that said syphilis.

 

Then consider me Miles Davis.

 

Only the cool kids pee in their pants.

 

I know who you are and you smell like cheese and sourcrat.

 

Sauerkraut?

 

Yep, herblenny, this is what you can look forward to......