Good place to live in St. Louis, MO?

Question

I'm going to be a first year medical student at SLU next year. I'm pretty unfamiliar with the area, so I'm wondering what are some good neighborhoods for a young professional student like myself to live in?

I've heard that the Central West End, Soulard, and LaFayette Square are the most popular neighborhoods among students. What are the pros and cons to each area? Which areas are the "safest", relatively speaking? Are there any boundaries in this area that really shouldn't be crossed for safety reasons (e.g. I've heard that Delmar Blvd is about as far north as you want to go in the CWE)?

Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

I lived in CWE for the first two years that I lived here, in the Monticello Apartments right on Lindell Blvd. It is very fashionable & exciting - lots of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, art galleries, etc. All areas have crime - I had my truck broken into while living in CWE, but I never felt threatened there, even walking around at night.

University City around the Delmar Loop is also a great place for students, with all of the amenities mentioned above, but I think it's a lot busier and less cosmopolitan - more metropolitan. Soulard is good if you like the blues and cajun/creole fare, and Lafayette Square is beautiful with painted old Victorian Homes. Right in between Soulard & Lafayette Square are some low-income housing projects, so you'll probably wanna stay clear of there. And you've heard correctly about North STL - it's pretty run down, although there is a revitization effort beginning.

I live in Tower Grove South now, and there are quite a number of students living in my neighborhood. It's really safe, affordable, and you've got the international restaurants of South Grand (Vietnamese, Thai, Italian, Ethiopian, Middle Eastern, Japanese - all right there!). I highly recommend checking it out. Anything in the middle of Arsenal, Kingshighway, Grand, and Chippewa/Gravois.

Answer 2

St. Louis is a great place to live. With many world-renowned universities such as St. Louis University and of course Washington University and UMSL which is another good research University. St. Louis is a typical Midwest with an older city center and sprawling suburbs on the fringes. We are always recognized for our reasonable cost of living compared to other portions of the country and a modestly growing job market. Our Economy is pretty stable right now so jobs should not be that difficult when you venture into the job market.

Answer 3

Central West End hottest, Very hip and happening scene Alot of people there from diffrent walks of life nice food and party scene but don't venture off to far to the north and west sides of town probably not a good idea. Now granted there are areas near Forest Park that are great anywhere on Lindell is magnificant. Downtown Loft area nice we just bought a loft in Downtown St. Louis we love it , altough we don't stay there often it's still great, it's really close to St. Louis nightlife.

I was born and raised in Soulard it's a wonderful area especially if you life Mardi Gras and it is also home of a lot of popular bars. My mom still lives there she loves it and is probably never going to leave stop in and see her she will welcome you with open arms like she does everyone else. Lafayette Square is nice place to set up camp also, now there is a low income area in between soulard and lafayette square area called Peabody projects not a real threat I hear that they are not as bad as they used to be They have fixed them up and they don't look like an eye soar anymore. Tower Grove and Shaw Park and Botanical Garden area pretty nice and safe areas.

We currently reside in Tower Grove area it's minutes from parks, shopping, grocery nice Indian and Japenanse Restauarnts in area also close to hospitals and major Interstates very nice homes in the area neighboring areas like Shaw Park and Botanical Gardens are lovely also we own several rental properties in both neighborhoods and they are hott. Whenever we get something for rent it' s gone in a day we have also had people request to be put on waiting lists just because the property and the areas are well sought out areas.

When you get here find me on YA maybe I can show you some properties. I don't give my info out because of my hubby's high profile but I will be more than happy to show you some of our properties we will have two or three openineg up shortly and if ours are not in your price or what your are looking for maybe I canhook you up with some other contacts.

Answer 4

What yowza said. St. Louis city rocks. I am moving back after being away for three years and have missed it tremendously. There are some great neighborhoods close to SLU.
Check out the city site
http://stlouis.missouri.org/neighborhoods/index.html

Answer 5

take yowza's advice!! they couldn't have said it better!! good job!! I live waaaay out in the suburbs so I don't know firsthand but I've heard the same stuff about the areas mentioned.

Answer 6

What you've heard is generally accurate.

Anywhere in University City would be good, too.

Go Billikens!

Answer 7

Lafyette is the closest you'll get to a "safe" neighborhood IMO.

Answer 8

Might just want to avoid E St Louis. See "National Lampoons Vacation".

Although as a med student your neighbors might be able to help you learn how to close up a gun shot wound...