Neighborhoods

As someone who has spent the first half of M1 without a car, I have found the Central West End (CWE) to be a great location to live given its proximity to the Washington University Medical Campus, as well as its proximity to Forest Park, grocery stores such as Whole Foods, and small coffee shops and restaurants throughout the area. Living in the CWE is generally more expensive than other areas of St. Louis, but there are a wide range of housing options to accommodate your needs and circumstances. Having so many things within walking distance has been a great convenience personally. Many of my classmates live in the CWE, both with and without roommates, and have enjoyed their experience as well!

When choosing where to live, it can often feel like a choice between “Central West End” and “everywhere else.” For me, I wanted to strike the best possible balance between cost, safety, and niceness, which is how I settled in the Maplewood/Richmond Heights area. Located no more than 10 minutes west of the Medical Campus, I’ve found the area to be a great way to decompress from school life. Much of the area is residential, meaning you’ll likely live in a smaller complex with more greenery compared to high-rises. You will have to drive to campus, which has associated gas and parking costs, but I find the commute completely reasonable. For instance, my place is 10 minutes from campus, five minutes from most stores like Walmart or Costco, and five minutes from the Danforth gym.

Cost-wise, I had found several nice, ~500 sq. ft. apartments in the $950-$1050 range, which is very reasonable in today’s market. Plus, when dealing with landlords managing 10 units instead of 200, you often get better service (mileage may vary). One additional thing to consider is the fact that you are away from a lot of the “action.” You can’t exactly walk home from your favorite club on a Tuesday night, so ensure you are okay with being slightly separate from all the controlled chaos!

DeBaliviere is a cute, safe, residential neighborhood just north of Forest Park. Most of the people who live here are graduate students or young professionals, so it’s a great spot to be if you don’t want to live directly in Central West End (and want to pay a lot less for rent/have free parking). It takes me about 12 minutes to get to campus either by bike through Forest Park or by taking the MetroLink (light rail) one stop. Since the apartments are more residential, they are huge, have lots of character, and are a great place to host a big group of friends. I also love being able to walk five minutes and be in Forest Park.

The Grove is a neighborhood north of Tower Grove and just south of the Medical Campus. Living in this area is great if you love being in the center of activities and nightlife. There are so many great restaurants, coffee shops, and bars on Manchester Avenue, within walking distance. The culture in The Grove is laid back and queer-friendly, with lots of young professionals. My favorite spots on the weekend are Gramophone for a late-night snack, Handlebar, Just Johns, and Rehab to dance! Restaurants are diverse and delicious, with Creole With a Splash of Soul, Sameem Afghan Restaurant, and Grace Meat + Three as local favorites. There are also always events held on Manchester Avenue, like the Urban Chestnut Brewing Company Oktoberfest. There are different living options, including apartments, townhouses, and condos all in the area with many budget-friendly options! Depending on your exact location, you can walk to campus most days, and it takes me less than 20 minutes from my door to the Farrell Learning and Teaching Center on campus. If you are looking for a lively, close but removed place to live, The Grove may be for you!