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- Aug 8, 2007
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I read somewhere that the area close to the school is not very safe to live, but how close is "close"? I was looking at some complexes like The Creamery Lofts on Park Ave that look very nice. Also if anyone can comment on areas to stay away from, that would be great!
Students are pretty split in terms of housing. I would say the majority of my classmates are in Central West End (though the rent is really high and most of my friends there complain about thin walls/bugs/noisy neighbors/etc.). It's about a 15 min. drive and within walking distance of restaurants and nightlife (the ones who live there typically get talked into having people over post-exam to walk to post-test festivities).
Front Door Properties (including the Creamery, Theresa Lofts, etc.) often get students since they are close to school, but the rent is fairly steep there also. Typically, the guys want to live closer to campus because the proximity is worth the safety risk to them (many of them walk home late at night and such... not the best idea in the world). Girls tend to stay away from the area around the school.
If you're set on living pretty close, best bet is probably Tower Grove area (mix of good and bad neighborhoods) or by the undergrad campus (though it's a longer drive with the bridge on Grand closing soon) rather than the streets right by campus. The Hill is a little further out but is fairly popular with students.
I live in a house out on the border of Crestwood and Webster Groves. It's about a 15-20 min. drive to campus, but I think it's worth it in terms of safety (it's a nice suburb and I've heard nothing of any crime occurring anywhere remotely nearby) and space (nice two story, 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath for 3 people with very low rent). I know people tend toward apartments but renting a house is definitely worth investigating.