Tell me about St. Louis

[MJ5150]

I watched an episode of House Hunters this morning on St Louis. The neighborhoods of Kirkwood and Webster Grove were mentioned as desirable. Particularly Kirkwood if you have children.

-Mike

[KJung]

Originally Posted by MJ5150

I watched an episode of House Hunters this morning on St Louis. The neighborhoods of Kirkwood and Webster Grove were mentioned as desirable. Particularly Kirkwood if you have children.

-Mike

+1 Both very nice communities with great school districts and close to city for work, etc. Both have very nice little downtown areas, etc.

U City (close to Wash.U) is just a touch bohemian, very ethnically diverse, funky.

Clayton is BMW land. Fancy condo's, Ritz Carlton, etc.

Webster is 'the land of the Subaru's and Volvo's.... upscale families, a bit 'Green' oriented, lots of victorian homes, etc.

Kirkwood is the home of mini vans. Great school district, right next to Webster.

Soulard is probably the most 'funky' area... old town in the city... lots of bars, funky restaurants... kind of VW Bus type vibe.

[Doc Ellis]

Thanks for the input and links everyone, it has been very helpful. Nice to get the scoop on where to look for housing, etc.

We are empty nesters now, as our son is at the UofM. It would be just the two of us, so school districts and such won't be figuring into the decision. We live in a northern suburb now, not a wealthy area by any means, but a good mix of hard working diverse people.

Thanks KJung and ADBassman, I will PM you two for sure when I have specific questions.

[Doc Ellis]

We will most likely be looking for a nice condo or townhouse, in a nicer urban area, walking to coffee shops, cafe's, etc. I just turned 40, wife is 39.

[jamestown94west]

No one has mentioned Florissant. Its a nice middle class community, and, the home of Bigfoot!!!!

[KJung]

Originally Posted by jamestown94west

No one has mentioned Florissant. Its a nice middle class community, and, the home of Bigfoot!!!!

My mom grew up there! Great North Side community. Similar in vibe to 'south city'. Wonderful old brick homes, etc.

Also, St. Louis Hills is a great South City neighborhood, especially for the 'empty nester' OP. Similar vibe to Kirkwood, but in the city. So, you aren't paying for the school district. Not cheap, but very nice community if you want a more 'city living' experience.

[blue4]

No kids and looking for a townhouse? Soulard has great townhouses for sale between the brewery and farmers market.

[placedesjardins]

Originally Posted by ADbassman

eh?

I guess the implied joke didn't get across. Saint Louis gets a bad rap because you lived there for a long time. Okay, it wasn't that funny.

[Tat2dHeart]

Originally Posted by blue4

I've had a trailer at Carlyle lake for a few years.

Really? Near which access area? I grew up about 2 miles from the Patoka docks, just across the lake from Keyesport.

[blue4]

Originally Posted by Tat2dHeart

Really? Near which access area? I grew up about 2 miles from the Patoka docks, just across the lake from Keyesport.

I'm right off the boat access at Keyesport. If you go over the levy at the swim beach there you would walk right into the rv park. But since I'm moving over to MO this year I'm going to be selling it. I've already sold my boat.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Doc Ellis

We will most likely be looking for a nice condo or townhouse, in a nicer urban area, walking to coffee shops, cafe's, etc. I just turned 40, wife is 39.

A guess I would just say that St. Louis is much more of a 'house' city than a loft/townhouse/condo city. Clayton is probably the closest thing to your goals, but very, very expensive.

There is a little sub area of Clayton called Demun that is just amazing for what you are looking for. Expensive, but very nice... more of a neighborhood than Clayton proper, and nice walking areas, coffee shops, etc.

Soulard has lots of lofts, etc, but is still kind of an 'urban pioneer' sort of thing, and it can still get a bit rough at night with the bars, etc.

Washington Ave downtown is kind of 'condo/loft' central, but it is VERY young, and quite frankly, I wouldn't put significant money in downtown St. Louis over the long run. St. Louis is really a 'suburb' town, if that makes sense.

Anyway, it is a pretty easy town to get a 'feel' for in all these very different and distinct areas if you spend some time driving around. More than a lot of other cities, the 'personality' of these communities pretty much hits you in the face if you drive/walk around in them a bit.

[MuinXing]

Originally Posted by jaywa

St Louis is brutally, horrifically hot in August. Plan a vacation to Alaska or Seattle or Maine or something in August if you're gonna be living there cause that month is unbearable.

Lol dude this is almost comical, a few extra hot days versus one of the coldest winters in north america,(yes even to a canuck Minnesota is super cold in winter).

[jamestown94west]

Originally Posted by MuinXing

Lol dude this is almost comical, a few extra hot days versus one of the coldest winters in north america,(yes even to a canuck Minnesota is super cold in winter).

Yep. Its 80-90 degrees most of the summer, we get about a week or two of 100 degree weather, and that's it. Its not even as muggy as it used to be, because we don't get as much rain anymore. Used to, it was the humidity that made the heat so terrible around here. At least in my opinion.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by jamestown94west

Yep. Its 80-90 degrees most of the summer, we get about a week or two of 100 degree weather, and that's it. Its not even as muggy as it used to be, because we don't get as much rain anymore. Used to, it was the humidity that made the heat so terrible around here. At least in my opinion.

St. Louis weather is actually quite good IMO. The snow typically stops about 100 miles to the West, so rarely a big snow storm (Kansas City and Coumbia really get hammered), and there are four true seasons that are about the same length. A beautiful Fall with lots of color, a true Winter with freezing weather and a bit of snow, a classic Spring that is crisp with tons of flowers, and a full bore 80-90 degree+ Summer season for swimming, etc.

To the OP, one area that I didn't mention is St. Charles, which is to the far West of the city (about 20 miles or so from downtown, right across the Missouri river). Beautiful old mainstreet, and affordable. Might be worth a look also.

[Doc Ellis]

The next time she travels to St. Louis for work I will be tagging along. We will make it a long weekend trip, do some visiting to the areas mentioned.

Houses aren't out of the question, but my wife is keen on trying condo living. We will look at houses if condos are too expensive.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Doc Ellis

The next time she travels to St. Louis for work I will be tagging along. We will make it a long weekend trip, do some visiting to the areas mentioned.

Houses aren't out of the question, but my wife is keen on trying condo living. We will look at houses if condos are too expensive.

To be clear, not so much 'expense' but availability. The St. Louis area housing market has always been very affordable, and the population skews a bit older. So, not as much motivation to build condo's as in some other cities.

If you want something kind of fun to do, check out 'The Hill' when you are there. It is in mid town, near Southside, of of Kingshighway. It is the tradtional 'Italian' section of town from back in the day. On a Friday or Saturday night in the Spring or Summer, there will be hundreds and hundreds of dinners eating at outside. Very friendly place. Gian & Tony's is one of the best Italian restaurants in the country IMO. Just a little hole in the wall on the hill, but just amazing food... very casual, moderate price.

OK, enough from me. Fun to talk about my home town. I make it back often for gigging and my consulting job. Fun to talk about.

[Tat2dHeart]

Originally Posted by blue4

I'm right off the boat access at Keyesport. If you go over the levy at the swim beach there you would walk right into the rv park. But since I'm moving over to MO this year I'm going to be selling it. I've already sold my boat.

It's a small world. Sorry to hear you're giving up your lake space.

[blue4]

Originally Posted by Tat2dHeart

It's a small world. Sorry to hear you're giving up your lake space.

Its for the best I think. Kids are getting older, really no time for it anymore. You are right it is a small world.