*Travel Info>>>St. Louis Travel Info

Is this city really that bad?

Travel Info
I read alot of travel reviews and opinions on Saint Louis and it seems the opinion is split in half. I plan on going to SLU soon and when I visited campus during the spring, the city didnt seem too bad at all. I actually thought it had improved nicely and was on its way of building a good reputation. Sure the economic standpoint was a little below average because it seemed that there wasn't many big corporations located there, but I am sure with the city working so hard to change its image that could change.

Whats everyone else's opinion? Does Saint Louis have a good reputation or not?

Travel Tips

What you have to remember is when you say St. Louis, most assume you also mean the surrounding area (St. Charles and Illinois). As for the recent crime studies, they only dealt with St. Louis ciy limits, which actually does not cover very much of the St. Louis metro area. That being said, I have lived in the metro-east my entire life. I love going into the city part and have always felt safe. However, you have to act smart, as you would anywhere. A major thing I like to remind people of: Use the Buddy System. If you're going somewhere, try to take someone with you if at all possible.

There is a lot to do in St. Louis. I recommend going to the U-Loop and getting familiar with everything there because that will be where a lot of stuff happens. Also, explore the other side of the river. Quite a few of the small towns there have hidden treasures.

Others
I was actually quite surprised to read that St Louis had alot of crime. I live in Memphis and we visit there at least once a year. We stay downtown and would often walk to Union Station or Lecleete (sp?) Landing. I never felt unsafe or at risk. Yet, here in Memphis I always feel unsafe while walking downtown.

St Louis is much cleaner than Memphis. That might give the impression of safety. You might want to look into some crime sites and see what kind of crime exists in the area you would be staying at. Visit the campus and talk to people.. see how the students feel about it.
I've lived in the area all of my life.
Yes, like all cities, there are "bad" areas that you should stay away from.
Basically, the area around SLU is very safe, well patrolled; however, sometimes Grand can seem like a racetrack.
I'm not sure what 'big corporations' you're looking for--there's Anheuser-Busch, Boeing, Mallinkrodt, Brown Shoe, etc.
Plus, of course, the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals!
There's science, industry, culture, music (you'll dig the U City "Loop"), art and sports.

The people whom live here think that 'study' is mostly crap, by the way...
Well, the neighborhoods around SLU can be hit or miss. However, like mentioned, every city has good and bad neighborhoods. Unfortunately, SLU is in one of those neighborhoods that not quite urban/downtown but not suburban either.
St Louis is known as a city that if you get transferred to you probably will stay.

I don't live in St Louis but do go for various reason probably a couple dozen times a year. Like any town or city there is "That Side" of town that tends to be run down or can be a little shady - meaning high crime so on. If you watch where you go and what you do you should be just fine. But if you venture into The East Side or North side lock your door and shut your windows...

Good luck at SLU...
St. Louis is a nice city with lots to do.. I really like it. All cities have bad areas. The guy that reports the "most dangeous cities" list gets his info from cities who report there crime.. not just murders but robbery, drugs..etc. There are cities ALOT worst than STL. The report is just based on cities who cooperate.. and most of them dont because they are scared they will be on the list. I hope you judge the city on what you know and what you see.. Good luck in college:) i think you will be pleased with you choice st. louis has some great schools:)
I thought the place was pretty ghetto. I did not like driving in the neighborhoods there. It's also crack town, so lots of crime.