Can I recreate Brooklyn in Missouri?
October 15, 2011 11:59 AM   Subscribe

I grew up in St. Louis, West County, and my family still lives there. After living in New York for 16 years, I'm thinking about moving back in order to be closer to them, but I'm sad to leave Brooklyn. What neighborhoods in St. Louis should I look at?

Things I love about Brooklyn:
- ability to walk everywhere
- public transportation. 30-40 minute commute by subway
- big public library within walking distance
- running in Prospect Park
- variety of restaurants and bars within walking distance
- the yuppies/hipsters annoy me (the other day a woman was videoblogging with her son in my local coffee shop!), but I have to admit, I like the convenience of some of the yuppie/hipster businesses - the local coffee shop, yoga studio, food co-op, restaurants, farmers' market.
- small living spaces. While I know that NY money goes far in St. Louis and I could afford a big McMansion, I like older, smaller apartments and houses. I'm thinking a two bedroom with small yard. I'd be open to living in an apartment, condo, or townhouse. A garage and some sort of outdoor space would be nice.
- genuine people who share my values. I am not impressed by money or stuff - like fancy cars and big televisions and showy homes. I like to cook, read, travel, learn, run.
- a good variety of people to date. I'm in my mid-thirties, single, and gay. I would rather not be single forever. Are there enough single gay women in their thirties in St. Louis? Where will I find them?

I currently live in Prospect Heights and I like the neighborhood, but find it is gentrifying really fast. I would rather not live in a neighborhood that is all upper-middle class white people - say, what I remember of Ladue and Clayton. That said, I haven't lived in St. Louis in a very long time and I know a lot has changed.

I'm not sure where I'd be working, but for the sake of argument, let's say it'll be downtown.

So where should I start my search? And do you have any other St. Louis advice?
posted by valeries to Home & Garden (16 answers total) 6 users marked this as a favorite
 
Response by poster: Oh! And another thing I love about New York is the proximity to good skiing (VT), hiking (upstate, accessible by train) and beaches (Fire Island). It seems counter-intuitive, but where will I get my nature fix in STL?
posted by valeries at 12:02 PM on October 15, 2011


The Central West End.
posted by jeffamaphone at 12:18 PM on October 15, 2011 [1 favorite]


ability to walk everywhere
public transportation. 30-40 minute commute by subway


This Google Map of the St. Louis Metro light rail system will be helpful, then. Of course, the value of the Metro system depends on whether where you're commuting to is accessible by Metro.

where will I get my nature fix in STL?

Forest Park is sort of the obvious answer, though there are lots of great hiking spots relatively nearby (although not within easy public transit distance). Lone Elk park, for example.

The bottom line, though, is probably "the Central West End." It's close to Forest Park, has a decent-sized public library, lots of restaurants, shops, and bars, and a Metro stop. Lots of apartments and condos, both older and newly renovated or even newly built.
posted by jedicus at 12:21 PM on October 15, 2011


University City could also work for you, esp. if you want a house.
posted by limeonaire at 1:00 PM on October 15, 2011


One could also look at near Tower Grove Park.

But the neighborhoods you describe that are near the Metrolink are basically only the Central West End (and as limeonaire says, perhaps UCity, esp. if you want a house).

The CWE is very, very nice.
posted by lewedswiver at 1:14 PM on October 15, 2011


I thought Dogtown/High Pointe area was a cool place, reasonably quiet, close to Forest Park, in the St. Louis City.
posted by 2N2222 at 1:14 PM on October 15, 2011


Nthing U City, Central West End, and Dogtown. CWE is a lot of fun and has lots of great restaurants and bars and fun things to do. Dogtown has a strong neighborhood feel that you might not get in U City or CWE. You could also consider Lafayette Square, although that might be too gentrified for you.
posted by McPuppington the Third at 1:16 PM on October 15, 2011


You will not recreate Brooklyn in St. Louis. You might be able to have a Brooklyn-esque experience on Cherokee, in the South Grand neighborhood, or in a downtown loft.
posted by hworth at 1:32 PM on October 15, 2011 [2 favorites]


I lived in St Louis for around 5 years, and I love a good walking neighborhood and public transit.

Unfortunately, you can't live a realistic life in St Louis without a car. But you can live in a neighborhood with some walking-distance conveniences. The answers above give the highlights, but the secret(?) spots are Maplewood, the DeMun area of Clayton, and St Louis Hills (around lindenwood, francis, and tilles parks).

I really suggest you look into Maplewood. St Louisans will be all "maplehood, ha ha" but I lived there and it was great.

Also, you probably already know this, but "where did you go to school?" means "where did you go to high school?"

I kindof wish I were in your shoes and moving back, too.
posted by everythings_interrelated at 4:33 PM on October 15, 2011


Morganford is allegedly the new Maplewood.
posted by Jacob G at 6:42 PM on October 15, 2011


Definitely the Central West End. Or South City.
posted by hypersloth at 8:41 PM on October 15, 2011


There's nothing remotely like Brooklyn in St. Louis. The Central West End will be your least bad option for the sorts of things that you're interested in.
posted by Kwine at 9:57 PM on October 15, 2011


Nthing the Central West End. My parents moved there from Clayton a few years back. They were looking for more of an "urban" experience and love it.

- They walk to restaurants and cafes.
- My dad rides his bike in the park every morning.
- There's a well-stocked public library on the corner, plus the facilities of both Washington University and St. Louis University within striking distance.
- The park and the neighborhood organize regular events and classes.
- Their neighbors are diverse, in race and sexuality.

That said, I'd also recommend considering the demographics. The Central West End trends liberal, but a little older liberal. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong.) My younger, making-it-happen friends tend to be in Maplewood or even the Cherokee Street neighborhood. I also know a pretty high-powered young couple who live in a loft downtown. Feel free to me-mail me.
posted by vecchio at 10:12 PM on October 15, 2011


If you're old and rich, go for the central west end. Otherwise, I highly recommend South City, preferably near South Grand and Tower Grove Park.
posted by saul wright at 11:31 AM on October 16, 2011


nth-ing south city, especially tower grove east, shaw, or cherokee. (i love the southside & love living here!) the only downside to being that far south (i.e., south of 44) is that the public transit is kinda meh since metrolink doesn't really go south. then again, metrolink has basically two lines, so its utility is pretty limited anyway. i really liked living in maplewood, but my husband grew up there & wanted to get out so we moved into the city.

feel free to memail me as well!
posted by oh really at 11:22 AM on October 17, 2011


I've lived in Maplewood for 5+ years. It is very walkable, AND close to the metrolink, which my husband takes everyday to his job and my daughter to daycare. Central West End and Tower Grove are also great, and very walkable, and more diverse really than Maplewood, but the Metro isn't in Tower Grove, and Central West End is more expensive and a younger crowd (mid-20's vs. early 30's in Maplewood). All are great choices though. Feel free to me-mail as well!
posted by fyrebelley at 1:03 PM on December 20, 2011


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