|
|
| *Travel Tips>>>St. Louis Travel Tips |
What is the best side of town to live on in St. Louis?? |
Travel Info St. Louis was recently voted most dangerous US city, but I've heard people that live there really don't understand why it's no. 1. Anyways, in regards to crime, which part is the safest?? And which part of town is the most "dangerous"?? Travel Tips The two main areas to stay away from are North St. Louis and East St. Louis (Illinois). That's where the majority of the crime is concentrated. No, you won't get robbed going to a Cards game. Downtown is VERY safe, so no worries there. If you want to live in the city, I would go for South St. Louis, LaFayette Square or Soulard... Those are the best neighborhoods. If you're into the burbs, head to St. Charles County. It's about a 25 minute commute to downtown from St. Chas... You get a lot of home for your money and it's a good place to raise a family. Source(s): Born & raised in STL. Other Travel Tips neither East St Louis and the downtown are the most dangerous. You need to move to suburban st louis One of the big problems with judging St. Louis in the sense of its national crime statistics is the fact the city itself is a small municipality in comparison with its outlying suburbs comprising most of the St. Louis area. With a population slipping below 300,000 in all likelihood, the balance of the area's 2 million or so residents live in the suburbs. These suburbs are affectionately known as "The County" denoting St. Louis County, St. Charles, the area west of the Missouri River and the "Metro East," cities in Illinois on the opposite side of the Mississippi Rover. St. Louis is a city with a small population for its geographical size and a lot of violent crime. The crime is not really centered to the north or central areas, although because of gang and drug related violence, killings happen more often in the slums of those areas. Because of the decimated population of the city, halved in the last 40 years, the murder rate appears extremely high compared to cities like Chicago. The downtown area is currently undergoing a renaissance of sorts with a lot of development and new residences going into the former office and commercial buildings there. Nevertheless, there is a great deal of petty crime in the downtown area and some violent crime. There is an ongoing battle between city and state officials and a religious organization that operate a massive homeless shelter the officials accuse of fostering vagrancy and crime. The downtown area has little commercial development and only nightlife activities in the evening with few other attractions. During the day, there are several attractions to visit including: Union Station, the Soldier's memorial, The Gateway Arch, Old Courthouse and Old Cathedral. Not to mention the City Museum. Both the Central West End, a fairly upscale central business district, and the downtown areas border festering slums to their north and west. This is to be kept in mind when driving around St. Louis city. The suburbs approximate the racial and economic dynamic of the city, with those to the north being decidedly poorer and improving in concentric rings outward from the city and those to the south and west being decidedly more affluent. St. Louis is not on the order of Detroit or Camden or Gary, Indiana as far as crime goes and there are no tourist attractions in East St. Louis other than a casino which was excellent security, so there is little to worry about for travelers there. The Metro East holds to the same geographic pattern of decline and development, with East St. Louis and the innermost towns in Illinois being abysmally poor and those outlying being successful, more diverse and safer. St. Charles, usually applied to all of St. Charles County and part of Lincoln County, including other cities like St. Peters, O鈥橣allon and now even Wentzville, was once the fastest growing area in the United States. Now very over developed, it does offer a good bargain for housing and average public schools with an even crime rate. Traffic, however, is next to impossible to navigate because of the poor infrastructure and mass influx of new businesses and residences. This is being addressed slowly by local and state officials, but it is very difficult to get anywhere when you want to in St. Charles. The most affluent and crime free area would be classified as West County, meaning specifically those suburbs directly west of Clayton, the county seat of St. Louis County. The wealthiest suburbs in the state and arguably west of the Mississippi until Denver are located here, including Ladue, Frontenac, Town and Country and Creve Coeur. These areas are not crime free, but certainly nothing like the other parts of the metropolitan area. Housing is expensive, but still cheaper than the national average. The Ladue and Clayton school districts are the best in the state and the area is closest to Clayton, Westport, and the Manchester business districts with ready access to downtown, keeping in mind the main highway connecting downtown St. Louis with all points west will be closed for construction for some time beginning this year. Well the Western side where St. Charles, St. Peters, O'Fallen and all that is where the safe part is.. Towards the East is where the bad stuff happens I've lived here 10 years and have never been mugged when I went downtown, but know many, many people who have. You are relatively safe going to a Cards game, being that criminlas tend to shy away from crowds. I play it safe WHEREVER I go, because regardless of where you are I can guarantee you there will be crazy people. Plus, ALL of downtown St. Louis looks old, and you have bad areas that back right up to million dollar 100 year old mansions. Thus, be pessimistic and just consider everywhere bad, that way you're ready. I always have my keys ready, I walk 'tough' like I know my business, never leave anything of value in your car EVER, and don't travel alone- especially if you're female. If you're approached do not even make eye contact, they either want some money or a cigarette. Just ignore them, even if you feel bad for them :( I've spent many a night partying in various areas of STL, some known to be good, some known to be bad, but had a good time wherever I went. Just be smart and you should be safe. Downtown STL is major fun, don't let bad press and your fears keep you from checking it out! As far as where to live, that depends on several factors such as age, sexual orientation, professional status and so on. Kirkwood is great, close to the city. It tends to encompass all demographics. I'm in West County, and being a liberal alternative type let's suffice it to say I am absolutely miserable out here in conservative fundamentalist hell...its supposed to be the 'upper crust'....yea...they're crusty all right....... |
| Tags |
| San Antonio San Diego San Francisco San Jose Seattle St. Louis Washington, D.C. General - United States Aberdeen Belfast Birmingham |
Travel Info Categories--Copyright/IP Policy--Contact Webmaster |