St.Louis, Kentucky, or Nashville? (St. Louis, St. Charles: for sale, low crime, mortgage) - Missouri (MO) - City-Data Forum

muddy boots · 01-21-2010, 06:22 AM

I know that last one is totally different than the first two cities, but we have family in St. Louis so it is in the running.
Our house outside of Seattle is for sale, when it sells we plan to move to one of the three listed areas. We are looking for:

1. Racial diversity (we have 5 boys, 3 are Ethiopian, 2 are white).
2. An older home on at least 1/2 an acre priced under 140K, ok if it needs work.
3. Low crime.
4. Close to recreation such as hiking, fishing, camping.
5. Decent schools, don't have to be super as I do lots of homeschooling.
6. I haven't been to a mall in seven years and I hate Walmart so could care less how close our home is to those two things. We could be 30 minutes out of the city and that would be fine.

My husband does custom woodworking, but can do many construction type things. I am an English teacher by trade.

We won't have a mortgage so income needs won't be as large as they are in our current situation.

Our greatest concern is for the welfare of our kids.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

VideoEngineerAJS · 01-21-2010, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muddy boots

I know that last one is totally different than the first two cities, but we have family in St. Louis so it is in the running.
Our house outside of Seattle is for sale, when it sells we plan to move to one of the three listed areas. We are looking for:

1. Racial diversity (we have 5 boys, 3 are Ethiopian, 2 are white).
2. An older home on at least 1/2 an acre priced under 140K, ok if it needs work.
3. Low crime.
4. Close to recreation such as hiking, fishing, camping.
5. Decent schools, don't have to be super as I do lots of homeschooling.
6. I haven't been to a mall in seven years and I hate Walmart so could care less how close our home is to those two things. We could be 30 minutes out of the city and that would be fine.

My husband does custom woodworking, but can do many construction type things. I am an English teacher by trade.

We won't have a mortgage so income needs won't be as large as they are in our current situation.

Our greatest concern is for the welfare of our kids.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

Racial diversity more than likely won't be a problem here in St. Louis. The church my wife and I go to actually have a few families that have adopted children from different countries.

I myself live in North County (Calverton Park which is between Florissant, Hazelwood, and Ferguson), but I work and go to church in West County (Creve Coeur and Chesterfield). If you want a little land you'll probably have to live in the suburbs. Honestly West County and South County are probably better than North County, but West County is a little more pricey. You could look at St. Charles as well. We were actually looking at St. Charles, but where we are now just kind of fell in our lap and made the most sense at the time.

My wife and I don't have any children at the moment so North County works for us right now. The area really isn't that difficult to get around regardless of where you live.

Where were you thinking in Kentucky? I came from Ohio last July and I've been to Kentucky quite a bit so I know a little bit about Kentucky. Nashville I really don't know anything about except what you can probably find out for yourself.

BoomBoxing · 01-21-2010, 08:42 AM

Creve Coeur and Maryland Heights come close to what you are looking for. They have everything listed except finding a 140k house on a half acre will definitely be a challenge. They are mostly in the Pattonville school district, which is pretty good, although not one of the top districts. They also lack racial diversity as both areas are predominantly white. But people in this part of St. Louis county are pretty tolerant and I doubt you'd run into many problems. I just highly doubt you could find an acceptable house for less than 140k in this area.

The problem you will run into is racial diversity. There is very little in the St. Louis suburbs, with north county people a notable exception. But then again north county doesn't have great schools but you could say they are "decent" schools. As you move further out you will get less racial diversity, but you are more likely to find the house and schools you want. If you can find an acceptable property in Maryland Heights or Creve Coeur, I think you will be very happy.

moorlander · 01-21-2010, 09:53 AM

don't forget the suburbs on the illinois side. Prices are more afforadable there than in West County. I'd look near Belville or Edwardsville.

billiken · 01-21-2010, 02:02 PM

The vibe of her post makes me think she could easily be happier further from the city than Creve Coeur or Maryland Heights. The 1 problem with that would be the diversity factor. However, further out, you'll be able to find something more easily in your price range, with low crime, lots of outdoor recreation, decent schools. I'm thinking somewhere out around St Charles maybe? I'm thinking that area specifically due to the outdoor recreation part.

Eyeam · 01-21-2010, 06:25 PM

I'd agree with Moorlander. She may want to take a look at the IL side. Might be easier to find the land and housing for that price on that side of the river.

muddy boots · 01-21-2010, 08:57 PM

Thanks for the replies, my husbands brother lives in Ofallon, we have looked in Troy and surrounding areas... we have not looked on the ill side, we don't know much about that side, crime rate? etc.. It would be in the Louisville area in Kentucky, maybe.

VideoEngineerAJS · 01-22-2010, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muddy boots

Thanks for the replies, my husbands brother lives in Ofallon, we have looked in Troy and surrounding areas... we have not looked on the ill side, we don't know much about that side, crime rate? etc.. It would be in the Louisville area in Kentucky, maybe.

As far as the Illinois side, as long as you stay away from Alton and East St. Louis, you should be fine.

Louisville is a pretty nice area too. I personally like St. Louis a little bit better though.

moorlander · 01-22-2010, 08:35 AM

Beware - Kentucky and Nashville will have a MUCH more southern feel. Thick accents, big trucks, country music, and southern pride will start to reign supreme.

VideoEngineerAJS · 01-22-2010, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moorlander

Beware - Kentucky and Nashville will have a MUCH more southern feel. Thick accents, big trucks, country music, and southern pride will start to reign supreme.

I'm not sure about Nashville because I have never been there, but I've been to all of the major cities in Kentucky and I've never seen that. In fact Louisville has a higher percentage of African-Americans than Columbus.

Also, New Hampshire and Massachusetts has just as many trucks and country radio stations as Kentucky. I've been all over the country and that has to be some of the most stereo-typical things I've ever heard.