safe neighborhood? (St. Louis, Creve Coeur, Clayton: buy, school, gated)

[libco]

Hi all! I'm moving to St. Louis this summer, and will be attending graduate school in the fall. I have a few possibilities for housing, but want to make sure that the neighborhoods are safe, as I will be walking from the MetroLink at night and also walking my dog at night.
Are any of you familiar with the 5300/5400 block of Pershing? Or the 500 block of Clara? Or the 1000 block of Skinker?
Not only am I wondering about safety when walking at night alone, but also about leaving my car out. How important is gated parking in these areas? (prevalence of vandalism/break-ins?)

Thank you all for your help!

[billiken]

The Pershing and Clara addresses are fairly safe. I park down there all the time, my best friend lives near Clara & Waterman. Lots of grad students there. I would pick either of those over Skinker, which is not nearly as residential.

[TGS]

The Pershing and Clara Metrolink station is ok at night, but not the best. I would skip using the Delmar Metrolink station really late at night, which is what you would need to use for the Skinker address.

If you can, look at housing around the U City/Big Bend Metrolink Station, or anything further out on the Shrewsbury Metrolink line. Those areas are all really safe.

[moorlander]

Honestly, why is the first question everyone asks about safety. Is it because of that stupid "most dangerous cities" list we are mistakenly at the top of every year? Sheesh. We need to clean up our reputation nationally.

Debaliever is quite safe. If safety is your most important criteria look for apts in the Moorlands and Demun area of Clayton.

Tip, when parking anywhere in an urban area, don't leave anything of value in sight.

[libco]

Moorlander,

For me, it's not about the city's reputation... I'm coming from a small town in Iowa - moving to a major city alone, as a young, naive female, I would ask about safety whether I was moving to Chicago, San Diego, Minneapolis, etc. Please don't take offense to my asking! I just want to make sure I'm as prepared as possible - where I am, we don't worry about getting our cars stolen, having people break in, getting assaulted, walking alone late at night, or even locking our doors! I'm just a naive small town girl!

[stlcitygirl]

I am from a small town and I live in South city, very close to downtown. It can be a shock at first, but you will love all the amenities a big city can offer. You will be just fine, just exercise street smarts. I live by these rules: Don't leave anything in your car, not even change. Always keep your door locked, and always be aware of your surroundings. I would go buy yourself some pepper spray if it will make you feel better. I have lived here six years with no problems. I have been all over the city, day and night.

[moorlander]

Libco,
No offense taken and my post was not meant to be directed towards you specifically. Welcome to the area, we're glad to have you.

If safety is top priority, check out the Moorlands Neighborhood of Clayton. It's primarily grad students, teachers, young professionals, and young families. You'll feel like you don't even have to lock your doors or roll up your car windows at night. And there are still plenty of cheap apts and a 5min bike ride to washU. There is also a shuttle.

Moorlands photo tour
https://www.city-data.com/forum/misso...tc-too-33.html

there is a nice neighborhood retail district too with a dry cleaners, fine dining, diner, ice cream parlor, starbux, deli, etc all bordering the neighborhood.

[billiken]

Clayton probably requires some compromise on the amenities the OP is looking for (walking distance to MetroLink, updated, balcony, parking, in unit washer/dryer) in the $600-800/mo price range.

[stlcitygirl]

Originally Posted by 4evaSTL

Pershing and Clara = gangsta central, avoid at all costs. No sane person would hang out in that war zone.

How many times are you going to get banned? go away.

[ND10]

Creve Coeur--New Ballas Road area?