View Full Version : ping: St. Louis area residents
EagleFan
03-08-2006, 10:23 PM
A potential opportunity has been presented to me that may lead to my moving to St. Louis. How is that ares to live and what are some of teh better places in the area to check out (as far as housing). Just as importantly, what areas are the must stay away from areas?
How is the cost of living in the area?
What is the best feature that the area has to offer?
What is the worst problem in the area (other than the Cardinals ;) )?
Thanks in advance for any information.
SackAttack
03-08-2006, 10:32 PM
A potential opportunity has been presented to me that may lead to my moving to St. Louis. How is that ares to live and what are some of teh better places in the area to check out (as far as housing). Just as importantly, what areas are the must stay away from areas?
How is the cost of living in the area?
What is the best feature that the area has to offer?
What is the worst problem in the area (other than the Cardinals ;) )?
Thanks in advance for any information.
Questions three and four stand in direct opposition to each other!
tarcone
03-09-2006, 06:22 AM
St Louis is a big area a little more specificity would help. are you going to work in the city? or is the job in the county? how long of a commute would you like? do you want a rural setting? etc. etc
WSUCougar
03-09-2006, 06:23 AM
How is that area to live and what are some of the better places in the area to check out (as far as housing).
This first question depends a lot upon where your job(s) are, what types of things you like in terms of neighborhoods, and how much you can afford. My wife and I love the St. Louis area as a place to live and raise a family.
New housing is available in quantity, but you generally have to go out beyond the I-270 loop to get it (depending upon your price range). There are several "boom" areas in that regard (St. Charles area, Fenton area, south along I-55). You can also find plenty of housing across the river in Illinois. There are many excellent older neighborhoods inside the I-270 loop, with lots of houses for sale, but as I said a lot depends on job commutes and other factors.
Just as importantly, what areas are the must stay away from areas?That kind of depends...are you a city person? Rural? Suburban?
How is the cost of living in the area?It is quite reasonable. The housing prices have been dropping lately, too.
What is the best feature that the area has to offer?I'll list a few: Strong sense of community, good entertainment, culture, and attractions (sports, museums, the arts, etc.).
What is the worst problem in the area (other than the Cardinals)?The city is still struggling with its economics and population flux. Lots of companies have pulled out in recent years. Downtown STL is still an empty shell in many areas. There have been signs of revival, but it's a slow process.
I'd be happy to answer any specific questions if you want to PM me. I'm sure other STL folks will chime in as well.
MizzouRah
03-09-2006, 12:01 PM
Move to Troy, it's the country baby!
:)
O'Fallon is a great place to live, as well as St. Peters, and of course Ballwin, Chesterfield, and South County.
What area will you be working at?
Hawglaw
03-09-2006, 12:15 PM
I will agree with everything said, St. Louis is a fantastic place to live, especially if you have a family. Everyone is dead on about needing more information. For instance, do you prefer urban/suburban/rural, new house v. old house, commute, schools an issue? The great thing about STL is that you can find all of it here. Give us some more info...
SFL Cat
03-09-2006, 12:17 PM
St. Louis, too damn hot in the summer...too damn cold in the winter.
Nice arches, though
tarcone
03-09-2006, 12:18 PM
If you want to go far out Washington is going to be a Boom town and is close to I-44
St louis has a small town feel to it so its a nice place to live
but be preoared to answer this question "where did you go to High School?" i believe this gives the person asking the question a sense of who you are and what type of person you are..its strange
I live about 45 minutes from downt town and in a semi-rural area....we like being close to DT but far away from it
Hawglaw
03-09-2006, 12:31 PM
St. Louis, too damn hot in the summer...too damn cold in the winter.
Nice arches, though
Unless you are talking about the quality of our McDonald's, there's only one Arch, bub.
EagleFan
03-09-2006, 12:51 PM
I'm not a "city person" but do like an occasional trip in to the city. Schools are definietly an issue as we have a 5 year old and a 2 year old.
I would like to have a yeard for the kids and would like a small town feel to where we go (again, if this happens).
I don;t even know yet just where the office is located as it's a company that I talked with a year and a half ago and haven't been brought in for an interview. I will bde researching that as things move ahead.
I don't know if we're even going to make the jump, but want to be prepared in case things start moving quickly.
Thanks again.
Oh, is there any way to get the Cardinals and Rams out of there and bring in the Phillies and Eagles? :D
Hawglaw
03-09-2006, 12:58 PM
I'm not a "city person" but do like an occasional trip in to the city. Schools are definietly an issue as we have a 5 year old and a 2 year old.
I would like to have a yeard for the kids and would like a small town feel to where we go (again, if this happens).
I don;t even know yet just where the office is located as it's a company that I talked with a year and a half ago and haven't been brought in for an interview. I will bde researching that as things move ahead.
I don't know if we're even going to make the jump, but want to be prepared in case things start moving quickly.
Thanks again.
Oh, is there any way to get the Cardinals and Rams out of there and bring in the Phillies and Eagles? :D
If you are not a "city person" and want a small town feel, I would suggest anywhere in St. Charles County (St. Charles, St. Peters, O'Fallon, Lake St. Louis, Wentzville) or West County (Ballwin, Ellisville, Chesterfield, Creve Coeur). Also, there are some similar places in Illinois (Belleville, Edwardsville, Collinsville, Columbia etc) There are lots of great areas closer in to the city (Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Glendale etc), but they may be too urban for your liking. A lot will depend on where you would work... as the commute could dictate a lot of this.
I live in O'Fallon now, but am planning to move closer in. I am much more of a city person that I realize and am bored in the outer suburbs. Plus, the commute is wearing on me. That having been said... I have a lot of friends in this area that love it.
This coming from a guy who lived in a town with a population less than 2000.
SelzShoes
03-09-2006, 01:20 PM
As a Metro East (Illinois side) resident--I highly recomend staying away from this side of the river--unless you look at Monroe County (Waterloo/Columbia).
St. Clair County has some of the highest property taxes in the state, and the county govt is extremely corrupt. There is a huge federal investigation into vote buying and vote fraud--several people are already in prision with more to follow.
St. Clair and Madison Counties have also lost tremindous numbers of doctors because (rightly or wrongly) of malpractice insurance rates--both counties are regularly on list of "judicial hellholes" in terms of civil litigation.
And if that wasn't enough, there is very little to do on this side of the river--because most of the communities use the "St. Louis is right across the river" excuse not to put money into arts and the like.
I don't know much about St. Louis proper or the MO side, but as far as the Illinois side--don't bother.
Hawglaw
03-09-2006, 01:31 PM
This coming from a guy who lived in a town with a population less than 2000.
Sad, but true.
panerd
03-09-2006, 01:57 PM
If you are not a "city person" and want a small town feel, I would suggest anywhere in St. Charles County (St. Charles, St. Peters, O'Fallon, Lake St. Louis, Wentzville) or West County (Ballwin, Ellisville, Chesterfield, Creve Coeur). Also, there are some similar places in Illinois (Belleville, Edwardsville, Collinsville, Columbia etc) There are lots of great areas closer in to the city (Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Glendale etc), but they may be too urban for your liking. A lot will depend on where you would work... as the commute could dictate a lot of this.
I live in O'Fallon now, but am planning to move closer in. I am much more of a city person that I realize and am bored in the outer suburbs. Plus, the commute is wearing on me. That having been said... I have a lot of friends in this area that love it.
I don't know if I would classify Chesterfield or Ellisville as having a small town feel. Maybe Eureka (where I live) or Festus, but that is probably even a stretch. West St. Louis County (not being critical, my parents live there) is about as small town as it is big city. It's nowhere close to either.
Regarding Eaglefan's initial post, the price range you are looking for will greatly effect the area you can live in. There are certainly good places to live in the low 100,000's and terrible places, just as there are great places for 150-250K and some that aren't worth the money. Unless I missed this earlier, this would be the key to giving you a better idea of where to consider.
MizzouRah
03-09-2006, 03:41 PM
Troy, Troy, Troy... We live inside Cuivre River state park. Just far enough away from the city life and probably some of the best schools in Missouri.
Troy, Troy, Troy... We live inside Cuivre River state park. Just far enough away from the city life and probably some of the best schools in Missouri.Tell us how you really feel. :)
Maybe it's just me, but I've always classified a small town as maybe 4,000 people tops. Of course, my version of a small town is Cheers...where everybody knows your name. Some of the "towns" mentioned earlier have me somewhat shaking my head as to the "town" reference.
Hawglaw
03-09-2006, 05:10 PM
I don't know if I would classify Chesterfield or Ellisville as having a small town feel. Maybe Eureka (where I live) or Festus, but that is probably even a stretch. West St. Louis County (not being critical, my parents live there) is about as small town as it is big city. It's nowhere close to either.
Regarding Eaglefan's initial post, the price range you are looking for will greatly effect the area you can live in. There are certainly good places to live in the low 100,000's and terrible places, just as there are great places for 150-250K and some that aren't worth the money. Unless I missed this earlier, this would be the key to giving you a better idea of where to consider.
You are right.... I even cringed when I wrote that. However, it is as small town as you are going to get without having to drive an hour each way (if you work or near the city)
tarcone
03-09-2006, 05:10 PM
I don't know if I would classify Chesterfield or Ellisville as having a small town feel. Maybe Eureka (where I live) or Festus, but that is probably even a stretch. West St. Louis County (not being critical, my parents live there) is about as small town as it is big city. It's nowhere close to either.
Regarding Eaglefan's initial post, the price range you are looking for will greatly effect the area you can live in. There are certainly good places to live in the low 100,000's and terrible places, just as there are great places for 150-250K and some that aren't worth the money. Unless I missed this earlier, this would be the key to giving you a better idea of where to consider.
Wow, i live right next door to you in Pacific. although i wouldnt classify chesterfield or elliville as small either. and eureka is booming, esp with that god forsaken TIF housing development going in allenton (eureka trying to kill pacific over the prison) i would not suggest st charles county because of the commute and the fact that the st louis city fled out there. weat down I-44 is the place to be
EagleFan
03-09-2006, 05:47 PM
A couple location names that I have come across in searching for places to live, we're thinking of renting first and saving towards a down payment for a home.
Maryland Heights (Pleasant Run)
Manchester (Village Park)
That's a couple of the early ones that I have come across. I'm still waiting to here the exact location of the office though before I really look much farther. Received a little potential frustrating news. They might not have moved out of Biloxi yet. I'm not looking to get into a situation where I have to first move to Biloxi and then uproot again and go to St. Louis.
I wouldn't want to live in Biloxi at all.
Raiders Army
03-09-2006, 06:14 PM
Unless you are talking about the quality of our McDonald's, there's only one Arch, bub.
LOL
If you're drunk, there's a possibility of two, maybe three.
MizzouRah
03-09-2006, 06:57 PM
Tell us how you really feel. :)
Maybe it's just me, but I've always classified a small town as maybe 4,000 people tops. Of course, my version of a small town is Cheers...where everybody knows your name. Some of the "towns" mentioned earlier have me somewhat shaking my head as to the "town" reference.
Ok, then I'll point him to Truxton. :)
Hawglaw
03-09-2006, 08:25 PM
A couple location names that I have come across in searching for places to live, we're thinking of renting first and saving towards a down payment for a home.
Maryland Heights (Pleasant Run)
Manchester (Village Park)
That's a couple of the early ones that I have come across. I'm still waiting to here the exact location of the office though before I really look much farther. Received a little potential frustrating news. They might not have moved out of Biloxi yet. I'm not looking to get into a situation where I have to first move to Biloxi and then uproot again and go to St. Louis.
Isle of Capri?
EagleFan
03-09-2006, 08:31 PM
Isle of Capri?
They own a chain of casinos. Mostly in less obvious gambling locations and riverboat states.
Hawglaw
03-09-2006, 08:37 PM
They own a chain of casinos. Mostly in less obvious gambling locations and riverboat states.
I know who IOC is.. (My firm represents the company's Missouri interests) I was asking if that was the company. The last I heard was that they were going to end up in the Creve Coeur area.
EagleFan
03-09-2006, 08:48 PM
I know who IOC is.. (My firm represents the company's Missouri interests) I was asking if that was the company. The last I heard that where going to end up in the Creve Coeur area.
Oh, sorry, yes that is who.
Hawglaw
03-09-2006, 08:50 PM
Oh, sorry, yes that is who.
If IOC does end up in Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights is the better bet, although Manchester may have a slight advantage in the schools.
EagleFan
03-09-2006, 08:52 PM
Thanks, greatly appreciated. I'll be doing alittle more reseach as it gets closer to decision time.
tarcone
03-09-2006, 09:09 PM
Parkway or Pattonville, i would say its a push....that is assuming maryland heights is in pattonvilles district which i think it is
primelord
03-10-2006, 12:31 PM
Parkway or Pattonville, i would say its a push....that is assuming maryland heights is in pattonvilles district which i think it isAlmost all of Maryland Hieghts is in the Parkway North district.
I don't really disagree with anything that has been said in the thread so far. I am not a big fan of the St. Charles/St. Peters/Wentzville areas. Not because it isn't a nice are, but because it is just too far away from everything for me. Not to mention St. Charles and St. Peters can't even really be considered booming areas anymore as they have been about developed out and you have to go a bit farther out to a place like Wentzville to find a lot of good priced housing now.
I grew up in and currently live in West County so I may be a bit biased, but that is where I would suggest you move. Manchester is in West County and is actually where I grew up. Most parts of West County are either the Parkway or Rockwood school district. Rockwood is generally considered the best school district in the city and Parkway is up there although it has slipped a bit in recent years. Really though there are nice areas in pretty much every part of town.
We lived in South Country for a few years and there are some nice places around there as well. While the homes in general are older there are some absolutely fantastic houses and neighborhoods in the Kirkwood/Webster Groves area which is Coug's neck of the woods.
If you don;t mind being oushed out a bit and were looking at places like St. Charles you might want to consider Wild Wood as well. There is a lot of very nice new construction out there and it is much more reasonable then you will find farther in. As Coug said I would also be happy to answer any specific questions you might have.
MizzouRah
03-10-2006, 02:03 PM
Wentzville is really into the booming period right now and could be the next O'Fallon.
primelord
03-10-2006, 10:05 PM
Wentzville is really into the booming period right now and could be the next O'Fallon.And only 45 minutes from downtown in no traffic! http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif
http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
vBulletin v3.6.0, Copyright ©2000-2026, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.