Apartment hunting in St Louis area

WDWpixieRN, RN · Feb 7, 2008

Wow.....there are probably others more familiar with that immediate area that will hopefully respond.

I believe the Central West End and Del Mar Loop areas are decent, closer areas, especially if you are younger (for the Loop). The Soulard area is pretty popular but is pretty much in the heart of the downtown area. Anything to the south and west are pretty decent areas; the Illinois side has a number of decent areas also, but I'm not real familiar with the ramifications of living there/working here. I'd stay away from the north side of the downtown area.

One thing to take in to consideration, depending on your affinity for driving, is the fact that one of the main highways in to the BJC area is going to be closed in various places over the next two years. There are highways to the north and south of the facility, and also a multitude of surface streets that can be used. Depending on your shift, you could entail some extra traffic on the streets, but thus far, I haven't head that it's horrible. If you end up working with someone to find you a rental, they should be familiar with that situation.

If you have more questions, feel free to post or PM me!!

Best wishes!!

maggijo · Feb 7, 2008

Not too far from BJC, you have lots of good neighborhood options, depending on what you're looking for. Many parts of the Central West End (CWE) are great, as well as parts of south city, University City (the Delmar Loop, which is the fun, commercial area on Delmar Blvd. between Big Bend Blvd. and Skinker), and Maplewood. Dogtown is also convenient to BJC-- it's part of St. Louis city. I am more than happy to help you with this. I have lived in St. Louis my whole life and have lived in many different parts of the city. Please feel free to PM me for more detailed info. If you have some addresses or neighborhoods in particular you'd like to ask me about, that would be great.

BeccaznRN, RN · Feb 9, 2008

I would vote hands-down for the Central West End. You will be within walking distance to BJH, plus you will have access to St. Louis' light rail system (Metro) from the CWE as well. Very important because like WDWPixie said, Highway 64/40 will be undergoing extensive construction for the next few years. And the CWE has a pretty decent nightlife, as well as cool shops and restaurants (my classmates and I used to meet up at Tom's for drinks and lunch after clinical at Barnes-Jewish....great times!). You will also meet a lot of other students there from SLU, Wash U, etc. that come from all over the country (Wash U has one of the top medical schools in the country, and they are affiliated with BJH). The only drawback will be that it can be a little pricey compared to other areas. Check it out!

maggijo · Feb 9, 2008

I would vote hands-down for the Central West End. You will be within walking distance to BJH, plus you will have access to St. Louis' light rail system (Metro) from the CWE as well. Very important because like WDWPixie said, Highway 64/40 will be undergoing extensive construction for the next few years. And the CWE has a pretty decent nightlife, as well as cool shops and restaurants. You will also meet a lot of other students there from SLU, Wash U, etc. that come from all over the country (Wash U has one of the top medical schools in the country, and they are affiliated with BJH). The only drawback will be that it can be a little pricey compared to other areas. Check it out!

Great advice! I love the CWE, too. Let me know if you need advice once you have some addresses. Good luck!

sarah_bellum · Feb 20, 2008

I love CWE!

But there are also great apartments in SW city, if you want a quiet, safe, less urban area. We now have the metrolink station and it is 35 minutes to BJH.

In my youth, ahemm, I loved U City and CWE. But now my priorities have changed and walking to Ted Drewes is much more exciting to me than walking to Blueberry Hill. :redpinkhe

ditacy81 · Feb 24, 2008

Hi everyone:

I'm an accepted accelerated nursing student starting SLU in the summer. I am from MIami and from what I've seen the housing is moderately priced compared to that of Miami. I am seriously looking for a place to stay that is in close promixity to the school. I'm thinking of leaving my vehicle home in Miami. Would you suggest that? I found a couple of apartments in the CWE area but I don't know anything about that area. Can someone please help!!

P.S.- I am thinking of one called the Creamery, it's located on Park AVE, a few blocks from the Medical Campus. What suggestions do you have?

maggijo · Feb 24, 2008

I don't know what the Creamery is, but I would say that not having a car in St. Louis would be a little tough. The Metrolink is expanding, but it's not extensive enough of a system yet to take you everywhere you might want to go in St. Louis. Let me know if I can help in any way- check out neighborhoods for you, etc. Congratulations on SLU; it's supposed to be a great program! Good luck!

Jess_Missouri_RN · Feb 24, 2008

Hi everyone:
I'm an accepted accelerated nursing student starting SLU in the summer. I am from MIami and from what I've seen the housing is moderately priced compared to that of Miami. I am seriously looking for a place to stay that is in close promixity to the school. I'm thinking of leaving my vehicle home in Miami. Would you suggest that? I found a couple of apartments in the CWE area but I don't know anything about that area. Can someone please help!!
P.S.- I am thinking of one called the Creamery, it's located on Park AVE, a few blocks from the Medical Campus. What suggestions do you have?

I have a gal in my nursing program who is from NC, she is staying in a dorm on the campus but I am posting because she left her car at home and wishes she had it. I believe she's having her dad drive it to her sometime soon because she can walk to a lot of places but it's very cold here in the winter, like today we have snow on the ground and just had 2 very bad ice days. So during the summer or spring you might be ok walking but the winter will be a serious shock to the system for someone who isn't use to it.

I'm working with a gal who just moved from CA and our wild February weather is just killing her. I told her to hang in, it does get better but MO is famous for wild wacky weather, very unpredictable at times. One day it will be 70 and then next day 28, seriously. In January we had 3 70+ degree days - odd but true.

WDWpixieRN, RN · Feb 24, 2008

I'm working with a gal who just moved from CA and our wild February weather is just killing her. I told her to hang in, it does get better but MO is famous for wild wacky weather, very unpredictable at times. One day it will be 70 and then next day 28, seriously. In January we had 3 70+ degree days - odd but true.

Yeah...well, tell your friend from CA, that depending on where she's from, just WAIT for the humidity this summer!! I was born and raised in So. CA and when we came looking for homes here one year in May and it was about 20% humidity, I couldn't imagine it could be worse. Oh, my oh my....after 15 summers here, I still am not used to the misery in the summer months of July & August. I would personally trade those months for more winter!! Now I know why it's nicknamed Misery....because otherwise, this is a delightful place to be living!!

Jess_Missouri_RN · Feb 24, 2008

Yeah...well, tell your friend from CA, that depending on where she's from, just WAIT for the humidity this summer!! I was born and raised in So. CA and when we came looking for homes here one year in May and it was about 20% humidity, I couldn't imagine it could be worse. Oh, my oh my....after 15 summers here, I still am not used to the misery in the summer months of July & August. I would personally trade those months for more winter!! Now I know why it's nicknamed Misery....because otherwise, this is a delightful place to be living!!

I know

My husband and I were just talking the other day that here in MO we only get a few months of nice, be outside and not freeze or melt weather. Jan and Feb are the worse winter months and July and Aug. are the worse summer months. March and April are rain, rain, rain and more rain with thunderstorms and tornado's, lol. It's a mess, we get all kinds of weather. I've lived here my whole life and I'm STILL not use to the weather.

Even though it's horrid in the summer, I'd still take summer over winter. I'm tired of the low temps. and snow/ice. Bring on summer, I'm ready!

And yeah, Misery R Us :lol2: You know the sayin'... Dont like the weather? Wait 5 minutes!

ditacy81 · Feb 24, 2008

The Creamery is going to be an Apartment residence that is located down the street from the medical campus. I've been searching online and it's part of a group of apt residences that are owned by frontdoorstl.com. I wanted to know if leaving my car was do-able. Thanks, now I have more things to think about.

Thanks, maggijo on the reply. What do you think about the area on Lindell? A friend also recommended the lofts on Washington Ave. I'm looking for somewhere that is moderately priced but safety would be a priority, too.

I heard the program was a good program. It's a big stretch from South Fla. but I'm ready for it. I had to switch my career path.

Can someone tell me about life in St. Louis and around the University?! I'm excited and a little nervous, too. (first time moving away from home :aln:) Any and all advice would be appreciated.