St Louis is on my shortlist for relocation

[Stlcardsfan1]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

I'm nearing end of process in reinventing myself at age 62 having my job phased out during the pandemic, hitting rock bottom fiscally and now however finishing up my degree in Health Services Administration. I currently live in Central Florida (Orlando area) where rent-to-wage inequity is the worst in the nation with a non-crap two bedroom apartment renting for over $2000 per month and stagnant wages around 40K in my field starting out. I'm looking to go under $700 a month for a large studio/1 bedroom to recoup savings and am attracted to what I have seen in STL, especially the highrises downtown near the river and job opportunities at Barnes or SLU Medical Centers. A friend who has left the STL area 20+ years ago states there's "nothing downtown" amenity wise but it would appear that's changed quite a bit? Thoughts? Thanks!

Until they rein in the crime situation downtown and in the city, I’d consider the county and commute to work.
Though $700 a month might be tough to find something unless you room with someone.

It’s funny you say that about Orlando. I was telling someone about a recent trip to Disney World and how great all the employees (cast members) are. He said back to me “we’ll they must be paid well.”
Turns out most are not paid all that well, they’re just so passionate, they’ll live cheap and cram 5 to an apartment to make it work. Gotta admire that drive.

[kyle19125]

So I'm getting all kinds of conflicting information and looking to clarify. Many seem to indicate the downtown area is a deserted shell overrun with gang bangers and one should run to the suburbs instead. That line of thought is nowhere in my wheelhouse and from the outside looking in seems to reflect some form of white flight/racial issues which is why I wanted to press further. My research turned up the following:

Downtown Apartments (are they all vacant?)
https://www.google.com/maps/search/a...38.6289644!6e1

Downtown Grocery Stores
https://www.google.com/maps/search/g...00+N+4th+St,+S

Downtown Restaurants
https://www.google.com/maps/search/r...a=!4m2!2m1!6e5

Downtown Coffee Shops
https://www.google.com/maps/search/c...a=!4m2!2m1!6e5

Downtown Bars
https://www.google.com/maps/search/b...a=!4m2!2m1!6e5

Downtown Hotels
https://www.google.com/maps/search/h...a=!4m2!2m1!6e3


It seems like a whole lot of businesses reliant upon consistent traffic/revenue...

[MUTGR]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

So I'm getting all kinds of conflicting information and looking to clarify. Many seem to indicate the downtown area is a deserted shell overrun with gang bangers and one should run to the suburbs instead. That line of thought is nowhere in my wheelhouse and from the outside looking in seems to reflect some form of white flight/racial issues which is why I wanted to press further. My research turned up the following:

Downtown Apartments (are they all vacant?)
https://www.google.com/maps/search/a...38.6289644!6e1

Downtown Grocery Stores
https://www.google.com/maps/search/g...00+N+4th+St,+S

Downtown Restaurants
https://www.google.com/maps/search/r...a=!4m2!2m1!6e5

Downtown Coffee Shops
https://www.google.com/maps/search/c...a=!4m2!2m1!6e5

Downtown Bars
https://www.google.com/maps/search/b...a=!4m2!2m1!6e5

Downtown Hotels
https://www.google.com/maps/search/h...a=!4m2!2m1!6e3


It seems like a whole lot of businesses reliant upon consistent traffic/revenue...

Go for it. No issues, lot's of people love living downtown.

[mjtinmemphis]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

So I'm getting all kinds of conflicting information and looking to clarify. Many seem to indicate the downtown area is a deserted shell overrun with gang bangers and one should run to the suburbs instead. That line of thought is nowhere in my wheelhouse and from the outside looking in seems to reflect some form of white flight/racial issues which is why I wanted to press further. My research turned up the following:

Downtown Apartments (are they all vacant?)
https://www.google.com/maps/search/a...38.6289644!6e1

Downtown Grocery Stores
https://www.google.com/maps/search/g...00+N+4th+St,+S

Downtown Restaurants
https://www.google.com/maps/search/r...a=!4m2!2m1!6e5

Downtown Coffee Shops
https://www.google.com/maps/search/c...a=!4m2!2m1!6e5

Downtown Bars
https://www.google.com/maps/search/b...a=!4m2!2m1!6e5

Downtown Hotels
https://www.google.com/maps/search/h...a=!4m2!2m1!6e3


It seems like a whole lot of businesses reliant upon consistent traffic/revenue...

Downtown would be a good choice. You have to do your own research. There is a lot to do.

[Bulldawg82]

I lived in Benton Park (not far from Budweiser Brewery) and it was nice. There are some challenges for living in STL, but nothing that having a little "situational awareness" and just paying attention can't handle. Remember, although STL isn't as big as Chicago or Philly, it is still a city.

[myuen2]

Originally Posted by Bulldawg82

I lived in Benton Park (not far from Budweiser Brewery) and it was nice. There are some challenges for living in STL, but nothing that having a little "situational awareness" and just paying attention can't handle. Remember, although STL isn't as big as Chicago or Philly, it is still a city.

Could you tell me something about Alton, IL? I am thinking of moving there. Thanks.

[alidost]

Based on the criteria that you mentioned, I recommend western suburbs, you can probably look as far as Eureka and take I-44 to downtown for work if you need to. Also at age 62 it's not too late for a career change to make extra money.
Note that St. Louis downtown has the highest crime rate of all other downtowns in the country.

Originally Posted by kyle19125

I'm nearing end of process in reinventing myself at age 62 having my job phased out during the pandemic, hitting rock bottom fiscally and now however finishing up my degree in Health Services Administration. I currently live in Central Florida (Orlando area) where rent-to-wage inequity is the worst in the nation with a non-crap two bedroom apartment renting for over $2000 per month and stagnant wages around 40K in my field starting out. I'm looking to go under $700 a month for a large studio/1 bedroom to recoup savings and am attracted to what I have seen in STL, especially the highrises downtown near the river and job opportunities at Barnes or SLU Medical Centers. A friend who has left the STL area 20+ years ago states there's "nothing downtown" amenity wise but it would appear that's changed quite a bit? Thoughts? Thanks!

[mjtinmemphis]

Originally Posted by alidost

Note that St. Louis downtown has the highest crime rate of all other downtowns in the country.

Where did that come from?

[brickhugger42]

Originally Posted by myuen2

Could you tell me something about Alton, IL? I am thinking of moving there. Thanks.

Alton has some gorgeous architecture, and is on the river road, but it's 30 minutes to downtown at least, and there are some crime issues up there as well.

I live in Benton Park, and it's generally great, except for mardi gras, when all the drunk crazies are out. its only a couple of days, so I live with it.

Crime is relative. there is crime everywhere, but less in some areas over others. there are some apartments in an area called Lemay that are in your price range; not the prettiest, but it's a decent neighborhood. There are also some apartments by Christy Park in South St Louis that are nice. dont know the safety situation (it looks pretty decent), but there is a park in front of your door, and shopping a few blocks away, so there would be some trade offs.

Good luck wherever you land, and welcome to st louis!

[rrampage]

It's a pretty sleepy metro area really. More of the "small town feel" in the metro. Excellent sports town. Definitely has that classic "midwest feel" to it. Lots of people moved in from less populated areas in Missouri or Illinois, but lots of natives there, of course.