Traveling to St Louis - worried about crime (St. Louis: kitchen, ranked)

[aragx6]

It will probably be in the 60s, but it could easily be anywhere from 45-75. The flooding is mainly affecting areas south of St. Louis. Thankfully the two major rivers, the Missouri and the Mississippi are both doing fine. There's absolutely no reason to cancel your trip.

The thing about north St. Louis is that you would have absolutely no reason to go there. There's nothing to do and it's blighted and depressing. Unless you decided "I'm going to drive around this strange city aimlessly for a few hours" you could never really accidentally end up there.

The boulevard is right near the Galleria, a suggestion that someone made for you. the area is perfectly safe.

Chesterfield mall too is perfectly safe, but it's much farther from the city than the Galleria so there's very little reason for you to drive all the way out there.

[stlsmoore]

Yea I just driven by the Galleria area today and it's amazing how much they are building and how things are coming together. It reminds me of the Uptown area in Dallas, I think that's the area I was in when I went there lol.

[BLS2753]

Originally Posted by jojojohnson76

^ And I would also avoid Union Station, but not because it is a dangerous area, but because it is a tourist trap of a mall. You won't catch too many locals in Union Station, because we know what it is.

I think of Union Station as just a big souvenir and gift shop, where you go after seeing the Arch or a Cardinals game.

[santos]

Twenty years ago I lived in the CWE, and worked dowtown. I was unafraid and I'm told the city is even better now.

East St. Louis had wonderful jazz spots which I couldn't enjoy because I was terrified. No one paid any mind to me, but I knew I did not belong there. Sounds like it is the same.

I used to take Kingshighway through North St. Louis to the airport. It was blighted and "inner-city" even then. I was not afraid staying on that route, but knew I didn't belong there, and especially at night. I'm sorry to hear this area is the same, I feel for the people who have to live there, especially children.

I used to volunteer at a homeless shelter in the north, but had to quit because I would be leaving at dusk. The streets were fairly deserted and a woman alone, walking or driving, was a tempting target--this was born out one evening when I was nearly hijacked. The Lord was obviously with me that night. I still feel so sad about the destruction of that part of the city--there were very beautiful old homes just crying out to be saved.

I went to Union Station once. Do visit just for the experience--it is beautiful. Even then the shops were a tourist trap, but something has to be.

St. Louis is a wonderful city. I'm looking for a summer rental even as we speak.

[Keni]

So I'm guessing that rather than rent a car, since i am not familiar with the safe/unsafe areas (I'm female) that I should catch a taxi everywhere? I'd like to go to some of the malls that were identified, and am wondering what it would cost from downtown?

[santos]

Rent a car, you will be fine.

[BLS2753]

What one is comfortable with, depends on your individual experiences. If you've spent your life in smaller cities or towns, then STL could be intimidating. If you've spent time in NY, LA, Chicago, etc. then STL will seem small, and the crime issues will be no more or less then what you've experienced before.

Keep in mind that the published crime statistics for STL are skewed because of the population distribution. Last I checked, the city proper had a population of about 300,000, and the total metro area about 2.5 mill. The published crime stats are based on the 300K, and the vast majority of that group live in blighted neighborhoods.

Most of the people you will encounter in downtown STL don't live in the city. In the summer, during baseball season, many don't even live in the metro area.

[mboogy]

Originally Posted by BLS2753

I think of Union Station as just a big souvenir and gift shop, where you go after seeing the Arch or a Cardinals game.

If staying in a hotel in Union Station, are there good restaurants and shopping nearby, within walking distance? Or would you suggest another area of the city to stay?

[Brickmama]

There are plenty of good shops and restaurants in the area. I would recommend visiting Washinton Ave just 4-5 blocks from Union station for more shopping and Dining. You could also take the Metro or even walk to Lacledes Landing on the riverfront. There are over 200 bars and restaurants in the Downtown area. Shopping make nu be like Midtown Manhattan but we do have a Macy's and other smaller stores Downtown. The downtown website should be helpful.

Downtown St. Louis Partnership - Home

[kpoeppel]

Originally Posted by Keni

I will be in St. Louis on business, & would like to also shop. I am staying either at the Hyatt or Sheraton in downtown, and just learned about the crime rate. I am seriously concerned that I may drive into a bad area of town. I would like to get some good shopping in, but now I'm afraid to even leave my hotel.

You are right to be worried about crime within the St. Louis city limits. Large parts of it are a warzone. The area just north of downtown is especially bad.