Is WashU worth aplying to when you have a family/kids?

[907914]

So, after looknig in to Saint Louis a little more, I find that it is a place with lots of parks and low COL. Also, Wash U has phenominal financial aid. However, I also find that St. Louis has low wages (thinking of spouse), poor public schools (daughter would start kindergarten MS2) and extraoridinarily high crime rate. Does the quality of the medical school and benefit of financial aid outweigh the potential risk factors for a family, or is the internet wrong about saint louis?

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[965978]

Depends on which area of St. Louis you are in. But the area around WashU isn’t as bad as east St. Louis.

 

[camnewton1]

Yes definitely. If you’re competitive for schools of WashU caliber, you probably won’t find a more manageable place to raise a family in (compared to SF, LA, NYC, Boston, etc.). COL is low, and with the crime rate it’s the same as any other big city- certain areas of the city are way worse than others but in general there are very nice areas to raise family in.

 

[Sephirakra]

Depends on which area of St. Louis you are in. But the area around WashU isn’t as bad as east St. Louis.

East St. Louis isn't St. Louis. It's a separate city in a separate state.

 

[deleted972488]

My parents live less than 5 minutes from WashU’s campus. Like any major city, there are “good” and “bad” parts of St. Louis. Of course, these are loaded terms that have racist connotations and implications. Regardless, there are good public schools and good jobs to be found, especially in and around the part of the city where WashU is.

 

[premed_mamba]

Im not from washu but I am from the hood. If you mind your business and don’t get involved in dealing drugs then you won’t get shot or in trouble.

+1

 

[965978]

East St. Louis isn't St. Louis. It's a separate city in a separate state.

It’s considered to be in Greater St. Louis

State borders are man made lines. So saying the words “in a different state” is really just for the use of dramatic effect.

 

[907914]

Im not from washu but I am from the hood. If you mind your business and don’t get involved in dealing drugs then you won’t get shot or in trouble.

I mean, the plan is to go there to become a doctor...so isn't dealing drugs the point? /s

And you are probably correct that mind your business to stay out of trouble and anyone can make it anywhere by doing so. But that still doesn't make a place safe. I grew up in the poorest neighborhood in my city, but the median household income was still >35K....so I really don't know what 'the hood' implies and I am not certain that is a transition I would like to make. Although it sounds like WashU surrounding area is good n'uff

 

[907914]

Im not from washu but I am from the hood. If you mind your business and don’t get involved in dealing drugs then you won’t get shot or in trouble.

Also "Not getting shot or in trouble" =/= safe ... particularly when the concern is for my family not my own well being.

 

[965978]

Also "Not getting shot or in trouble" =/= safe ... particularly when the concern is for my family not my own well being.

Irvine is the safest city in the country. Have you considered UC Irvine?

 

[907914]

Irvine is the safest city in the country. Have you considered UC Irvine?

No, unforunately they have an OOS acceptance of <1% and I am not even sure a 521 can get my foot in the door there. I would love to apply to more cali schools than Stanford and UCLA, but they almost all have either a bad rap or are OOS unfriendly.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Every city will have good and bad. If you are diligent in looking you will likely find a great place to live and a good job for your spouse.

 

[Sephirakra]

It’s considered to be in Greater St. Louis

State borders are man made lines. So saying the words “in a different state” is really just for the use of dramatic effect.

Sorry to be "dramatic". Or, as I call it, factual. All municipal boundaries are man-made. That's the point. East St. Louis is on the other side of the Mississippi River. I lived in St. Louis for years, and no one there even thinks about East StL when talking about the city. Inner ring suburbs like Maplewood and Clayton, maybe. But not East St. Louis.

Now, if OP wants to live on the Illinois side of the river there are nice options like O'Fallon and Collinsville.

 

[907914]

Sorry to be "dramatic". Or, as I call it, factual. All municipal boundaries are man-made. That's the point. East St. Louis is on the other side of the Mississippi River. I lived in St. Louis for years, and no one there even thinks about East StL when talking about the city. Inner ring suburbs like Maplewood and Clayton, maybe. But not East St. Louis.

Now, if OP wants to live on the Illinois side of the river there are nice options like O'Fallon and Collinsville.

Just looked at Saint Louis again - Why is there an O'Fallon, MO AND IL both equidistant from the city center? Darn city naming conventions....

On the IL side of the river, that would just have to be a conversation with my spouse about the potential hour+ long drive each direction for me...I am not too fond of that.

 

[premed_mamba]

I’m not going to WashU but I am matriculating to SLU. I have a wife and kid and have found a nice house that we are going to probably end up buying in the southern part of the city. Pretty good neighborhood low crime rate. We don’t fear for our safety at all. My son will be going to kindergarten MS2 as well but we are currently looking into private school options.

 

[Sephirakra]

Just looked at Saint Louis again - Why is there an O'Fallon, MO AND IL both equidistant from the city center? Darn city naming conventions....

On the IL side of the river, that would just have to be a conversation with my spouse about the potential hour+ long drive each direction for me...I am not too fond of that.

Yeah, I personally would never want to have that long of a commute again, but I knew many people who worked at Wash U Med and nearby hospitals who would commute from there.

I liked living in St. Louis City, and know that there are many areas where you can safely live with a family. I'd have to check with my friends about schools, but there are good ones of both the public and private variety.

 

[pieceofmeat96]

St. Louis is a great city. If you think St. Louis isn't safe, then Chicago must be hell.
Numerous statistics combine St. Louis and East St. Louis in their reports and then give STL a terrible reputation. They are separate cities.
You can live in Chesterfield, Creve Coeur, Clayton, Ladue, etc.., all of which have some of the best reputations in suburbs and top notch schools for children.

Also, you haven't even gotten in -- why not apply and give it a shot instead of speculating about what if.

 

[907914]

I’m not going to WashU but I am matriculating to SLU. I have a wife and kid and have found a nice house that we are going to probably end up buying in the southern part of the city. Pretty good neighborhood low crime rate. We don’t fear for our safety at all. My son will be going to kindergarten MS2 as well but we are currently looking into private school options.

Thank you for the feedback - What is the cost of private school there/how are the public schools/is tuition for private school an allowable childcare cost for COA?

 

[pieceofmeat96]

It’s considered to be in Greater St. Louis

State borders are man made lines. So saying the words “in a different state” is really just for the use of dramatic effect.

I don't understand this at all... What are you trying to say lol -- that people should be wary of East St. Louis if they are living in St. Louis? There is a train that connect the two. You don't have to go to East St. Louis if you don't have to.

Thank you for the feedback - What is the cost of private school there/how are the public schools/is tuition for private school an allowable childcare cost for COA?

This is something you have to look up. You can see the suburbs that I listed and read up on the schools. Again, I think it's great that you're super proactive, but why not apply and give it a shot instead of planning without even getting an interview? Plus, there are plenty of great public schools here too.

 

[907914]

St. Louis is a great city. If you think St. Louis isn't safe, then Chicago must be hell.

Also, you haven't even gotten in -- why not apply and give it a shot instead of speculating about what if.

As for chicago, I am only applying to 2 schools there, both in North Chicago

As for "why not give it a shot instead of speculating" why would anyone apply to a school that is in an area they wouldn't enjoy? Particularly when you have a family to think about as well? It might just be that I have the luxory of being able to be selective with the schools I apply to, but do people really NOT research the schools and surrounding areas they apply to? I have been tailoring my school list for about 2 months now becuase I want it to be both a good list for me and my family.

 

[907914]

I don't understand this at all... What are you trying to say lol -- that people should be wary of East St. Louis if they are living in St. Louis? There is a train that connect the two. You don't have to go to East St. Louis if you don't have to.




This is something you have to look up. You can see the suburbs that I listed and read up on the schools. Again, I think it's great that you're super proactive, but why not apply and give it a shot instead of planning without even getting an interview? Plus, there are plenty of great public schools here too.

I will definitely look up all of those neighborhoods! And again, why would I even apply and/or interview to a place that I wouldn't even want to go to (or my family wouldn't enjoy)? Not that WashU is one of those places, y'all have calmed my fears about that.

 

[965978]

I don't understand this at all... What are you trying to say lol -- that people should be wary of East St. Louis if they are living in St. Louis? There is a train that connect the two. You don't have to go to East St. Louis if you don't have to.

Goddamn my point is that some places are more safe than other.

 

[deleted972488]

I will definitely look up all of those neighborhoods! And again, why would I even apply and/or interview to a place that I wouldn't even want to go to (or my family wouldn't enjoy)? Not that WashU is one of those places, y'all have calmed my fears about that.

FYI, WashU is in Clayton and it’s a fairly wealthy part of the city. Ladue is nearby and has a reputation for having the best public schools in the area (and top 2% of all public schools in the nation).

 

[premed_mamba]

Thank you for the feedback - What is the cost of private school there/how are the public schools/is tuition for private school an allowable childcare cost for COA?

Private schools are pretty expensive. Between 14-20k. My wife and I are fortunate enough to have family to be able to cover this expense if this is the route we decide to choose. And from the research that I’ve done the public schools aren’t the best however they do have a few gifted and talented elementary schools that are supposedly really good. One of them is right by WashU campus. We are going to try here first before we commit to a private school. SLU does increase COA for childcare but I’m not sure about WashU

 

[LizzyM]

Private schools are pretty expensive. Between 14-20k. My wife and I are fortunate enough to have family to be able to cover this expense if this is the route we decide to choose. And from the research that I’ve done the public schools aren’t the best however they do have a few gifted and talented elementary schools that are supposedly really good. One of them is right by WashU campus. We are going to try here first before we commit to a private school. SLU does increase COA for childcare but I’m not sure about WashU

Our Lady of Lourdes is a Catholic (parochial) school near WashU. Tuition is ~6K. Not cheap but not 14-20K.

 

[Arturiase]

Live in STL here so I can give you my opinion. Also attended SLU and going to SLU med. WashU undegrad is near clayton, but not quite clayton. The medical campus is actually in the CWE/forest park area. Which is a nice area that basically has the hospital and a lot of new development and restaurants nearby. The high crime rate you refer to in STL is usually attributed to the fact that STL is an independent city compared to other major cities who stats are buffered by their metropolitian area. If you include the greater STL metro like creve cour, ucity, st charles etc, compared to other cities STL is actually not much different in terms of crime. In fact there is a movement to incorporate STL into a greater metro area, known as the better together movement. (STL to my knowledge is the biggest and one of 3 last remaining independent cities in the US. As for wages, im not too sure but you should be able to find reasonable wages and the cost of living is not that high here compared to the west or east coast cities. I didn't attend high school in STL so im not sure, but there are quite a few private and religious schools that are very good in STL.

FYI, WashU is in Clayton and it’s a fairly wealthy part of the city. Ladue is nearby and has a reputation for having the best public schools in the area (and top 2% of all public schools in the nation).

 

[zeddd78893]

Thank you for the feedback - What is the cost of private school there/how are the public schools/is tuition for private school an allowable childcare cost for COA?

Ladue and Clayton are even better public schools (not mine) so I can imagine having your children go there would set them up nicely.

For private schools, search up MICDS if you're looking for a non religious education. Priory, John Burroughs, CBC, Visitation Academy, and SLUH for various religious educations. All great schools, not sure about the COA

 

[LizzyM]

I'm from St. Louis near these areas listed! The public schools are some of the best and mine had many kids go to ivies and other great schools. Ladue and Clayton are even better public schools (not mine) so I can imagine having your children go there would set them up nicely.

For private schools, search up MICDS if you're looking for a non religious education. Priory, John Burroughs, CBC, Visitation Academy, and SLUH for various religious educations. All great schools, not sure about the COA

Priory starts at 6th or 7th grade some of these others may not offer kindergarten either.

 

[pwk4d]

I am from the Chicago suburbs originally but I moved down to St. Louis around 5.5 years ago for work and will be starting at WashU this August. I am married and while we don't have kids yet, it is in our near term plans. Something to consider when looking at St. Louis city statistics is that St. Louis City doesn't include the surrounding St. Louis County (for numerous political reasons) so the more affluent areas of the metropolitan area are excluded. If these areas were included, the crime rate would be in line with other major cities. Also, I don't know what your spouse does for a living but there are a number of large companies here with good-paying jobs (Boeing, Charter, Centene, Emerson, Edward Jones, Monsanto, etc.). As some others have said, there are good schools and safe areas to live as you move further from the city center out west or south. The Illinois side has some very nice neighborhoods but as you said, the commute can be rough across the Mississippi. My wife and I actually moved to St. Charles, a western suburb of St. Louis across the Missouri River. It's a very safe area with affordable houses and it's only about a 25 minute drive to BJH.

 

[zeddd78893]

Priory starts at 6th or 7th grade some of these others may not offer kindergarten either.

MICDS and Vis both are K-12

 

[nao3541]

I attended WashU for undergrad and worked at WashU School of Medicine all 4 years. I absolutely love St. Louis. Not only is it incredibly affordable, there are so many wonderful parks (Tower Grove, Forest Park--right by WashU Med, Lafayette Park) and other family-friendly activities (the City Museum, Missouri Botanical Garden, the zoo which is inside Forest Park). Traffic is not bad, and the food scene is great. I hands down would recommend WashU Med and living in St. Louis

 

[907914]

I am from the Chicago suburbs

Tangential question: How are Hyde Park and North Chicago? I have Northwestern and U Chicago on my list, but I have the same concerns about chicago (I have just been able to convince myself that those schools are in 'the good and/or affordable part of town' because Chicago is just waaaaaay too big to generalize).

 

[907914]

MICDS and Vis both are K-12

I unfortunately will have zero familial contribution (despite 6 figure parental income...but that is their money to do what they do...no grudges or anything) and based on those prices public school might have to be the route we go.

. Also, I don't know what your spouse does for a living but there are a number of large companies here with good-paying jobs (Boeing, Charter, Centene, Emerson, Edward Jones, Monsanto, etc.).

My wife is graduating at the same time as me for Visual Communication and Design with an emphasis on programming and user experience, so maybe? If not, there are some opportunities for distance/remote working in that field.

 

[LizzyM]

Anyone I've known who was associated with U Chicago and/or living in Hyde Park sent their kid to "the Lab School". (University of Chicago Laboratory School). Tuition is $32K and includes snacks and activities (😵)
As for public schools:

Chicago Public Schools

schoolinfo.cps.edu

Chicago Public Schools

schoolinfo.cps.edu

You can also use this school comparison tool. Chicago Public Schools I used zip code 60637 which is the same zip as the Lab School to see what other schools are in that area.

North Chicago is near the Wisconsin border. That's where Rosalyn Franklin is located. Northwestern's medical school is located in the Streeterville neighborhood which is near the "Mag Mile" shopping district. It is zip code 60611 There are no public schools in that entire zip code! You might also consider living a short distance from the med school campus in an area that is less expensive and with neighborhood schools. (Try zip codes 60610 and 60614 in Lincoln Park).

 

[907914]

Anyone I've known who was associated with U Chicago and/or living in Hyde Park sent their kid to "the Lab School". (University of Chicago Laboratory School). Tuition is $32K and includes snacks and activities (😵)
As for public schools:

Chicago Public Schools

schoolinfo.cps.edu

Chicago Public Schools

schoolinfo.cps.edu

You can also use this school comparison tool. Chicago Public Schools I used zip code 60637 which is the same zip as the Lab School to see what other schools are in that area.

North Chicago is near the Wisconsin border. That's where Rosalyn Franklin is located. Northwestern's medical school is located in the Streeterville neighborhood which is near the "Mag Mile" shopping district. It is zip code 60611 There are no public schools in that entire zip code! You might also consider living a short distance from the med school campus in an area that is less expensive and with neighborhood schools. (Try zip codes 60610 and 60614 in Lincoln Park).

So not *fantastic* schools in the hyde park area, but it is above national average in most aspects. So that is good, that is what I am shooting for lol So long as she is in a good learning environment and not something like my elementary school (44 students to one teacher.....) or inner city type stuff. Righteous. Thank you for the resource! The 'lab school' ain't happening.

 

[pwk4d]

Tangential question: How are Hyde Park and North Chicago? I have Northwestern and U Chicago on my list, but I have the same concerns about chicago (I have just been able to convince myself that those schools are in 'the good and/or affordable part of town' because Chicago is just waaaaaay too big to generalize).

Northwestern is near the Streeterville neighborhood and just off the Mag Mile. It's a very nice area to be. I honestly don't know much about what schools would be in that area. Hyde Park is I think the wealthiest neighborhood in Chicago but it's surrounded by several of the poorest. That said, everyone I've spoken to has felt very safe there. Everyone I know from the city went to private schools, not CPS. Chicago does have a more robust public transportation statem that. St. Louis though which could give you more living options.

 

[907914]

Northwestern is near the Streeterville neighborhood and just off the Mag Mile. It's a very nice area to be. I honestly don't know much about what schools would be in that area. Hyde Park is I think the wealthiest neighborhood in Chicago but it's surrounded by several of the poorest. That said, everyone I've spoken to has felt very safe there. Everyone I know from the city went to private schools, not CPS. Chicago does have a more robust public transportation statem that. St. Louis though which could give you more living options.

There are no public schools within 4 miles of the school and the rent is ^^^^^^^$$$^^^^^^^^ if you want a two bedroom. Hyde park is better. Interestingly, the public schools are predominantly low-income and underserved populations but they still perform above average academically.

 

[907914]

At least from what the internet tells me.

 

[snowy248]

Will also chime in here and echo these sentiments. Attended WashU, fell in love with St Louis. COL is incredibly cheap, worked in a lab where I got to interact with a lot of "more affluent" parents with young kids from the Clayton and Ladue areas. Will vouch for these areas as a wonderful/safe place to raise kids.

Also visited a lot of elementary schools during my time working in my lab and they seemed well organized and lovely. You will have plenty of options!

 

[907914]

Will also chime in here and echo these sentiments. Attended WashU, fell in love with St Louis. COL is incredibly cheap, worked in a lab where I got to interact with a lot of "more affluent" parents with young kids from the Clayton and Ladue areas. Will vouch for these areas as a wonderful/safe place to raise kids.

Also visited a lot of elementary schools during my time working in my lab and they seemed well organized and lovely. You will have plenty of options!

Thank you all for your advice on WashU. I now see that there is the one true neighborhood of my Saint Louis prospects:

 

[OtisO]

I will definitely look up all of those neighborhoods! And again, why would I even apply and/or interview to a place that I wouldn't even want to go to (or my family wouldn't enjoy)? Not that WashU is one of those places, y'all have calmed my fears about that.

If you ever are looking at places, feel free to PM me, my mom grew up in STL and I go to undergrad in STL county, but she grew up in the city, so she is very mom like when it comes to the safety of certain areas.

 

[WalSlave]

I am from St. Louis. I really do love STL and you can live an extremely nice life there for not a lot of money. There are a crap ton of lovely suburbia-type areas within (or right outside of) the county, especially on the MO side, but traffic can be insane so you are looking at a 30-90 min commute at minimum depending on where you choose. There are lots of places in "the city" that are plenty safe, but being a large city you'll still have lots of petty crimes of opportunity going on, especially around the universities. Bike theft, car break-ins, that sort of thing.

The parks are amazing, and there are a TON of things to do that both kids and adults would like. Forest Park is an incredible place and houses the (free!!) zoo. Not to mention the science center and the and city museum. I also love doing Shakespeare in the Park every summer. Most things are free or very cheap to do.

East St. Louis is obviously not somewhere you should really be going, but it's on the IL side and is a non-issue for those who don't live there.

 

[smileyfacegirl27]

As a StL native, I can say from experience that we do have some neighborhoods that have some of the best public schools in the country! There are also tons of (expensive) private (mostly Catholic) options, but there's definitely enough options for schools that you should be fine. You'll quickly learn that like any city, there are safer parts than others, but there are plenty of very sheltered suburban areas that aren't too far from the Medical School where safety would be a non-issue. There are also plenty of free attractions great for kids (zoo, history museum, art museum, science center (my FAVORITE place as a kid) and lots of parks etc...). I wouldn't worry about raising a family in St. Louis - it's been a great place to live!