Questions about St. Louis Suburbs in MO & IL

[silibran]

I'd choose Kirkwood myself. The Maplewood neighborhood might be acceptable, but has a less upscale vibe. I think the schools are better in Kirkwood. Maplewood is known to have not great schools, although they are trying for improvement there.

If I ever would move back to STL, I'd want to live in Kirkwood.

[NaturalARMO]

Originally Posted by zach_33

You would definitely encounter folks in Arnold who "cling to guns and religion" to borrow one of Obama's funnier statements. Fenton is more suburban, but it blends right into Arnold. Both cities are less than 1% African American. I spent a lot of time in Fenton and many people I knew from there seemed to believe St. Louis city is a crime ridden hell hole which is only safe to visit when watching a Cardinals games (I'm only slightly exaggerating). There are communities in west county that are just as lily-white and crime fearful as Fenton/Arnold, but they tend to be less culturally rural than south county and jeff co.

Thank you for warning me about Arnold/Fenton. I'm sure that is how every suburb feels about its surrounding city when it comes to crime rate and quality of school districts.

It seems like I will focus on Creve Coeur, Fontenac, Kirkwood, University City, Clayton, Maplewood, Richmond Heights, Webster Groves, and Brentwood.

Any comments about Sunset Hills, Crestwood, and Shrewsbury?

[TTTStLou]

For a suburban location, I favor Kirkwood, Brentwood, Richmond Heights and Creve Coeur. Not that the others are awful. You might also want to check out SouthHampton and St. Louis Hills before you give up on the city.

[silibran]

Originally Posted by NaturalARMO

Thank you for warning me about Arnold/Fenton. I'm sure that is how every suburb feels about its surrounding city when it comes to crime rate and quality of school districts.

It seems like I will focus on Creve Coeur, Fontenac, Kirkwood, University City, Clayton, Maplewood, Richmond Heights, Webster Groves, and Brentwood.

Any comments about Sunset Hills, Crestwood, and Shrewsbury?

Sunset Hills has no city center, if I recall. At least I never saw one as I cruised down S. Lindbergh. Crestwood is fine, the homes are modest and often brick, and you might find one in your price range. Whereas in Kirkwood, finding one you could afford might be hard. Shrewbury is more blue collar, but I think it is safe enough, and it is close to I 44 which takes you into the city. I really would not choose any of those latter three myself as first choice. None of them is particularly friendly to singles. Crestwood doesn't have a city center either, and it has had terrible financial probs in the last few years. I think I'd steer clear.

I like Maplewood. Nice town, sort of blue collar with nice older homes, not pretentious. Has an old city that seems to be doing OK. Also it is around the corner, so to speak, from two really great flea markets and a fabulous lighting store, that I loved to visit. Also, Penzey's Spices. And one or two restaurants in the downtown, if I remember correctly. I don't know about apartments though. And Maplewood is close to the a Metro Link station. So getting downtown would be a breeze.