North of the Park: DeBaliviere Place
and Skinker DeBaliviere
DeBaliviere is positioned between the Danforth and medical campuses. This community combines the living space of a suburb with the amenities of a city. The Delmar Loop is the northern border of DeBaliviere and it provides a range of dining options from Chipotle to Tavolo. Nightlife in the Loop is vibrant with pubs, clubs, karaoke and bowling. Walking south from DeBaliviere puts you in the heart of Forest Park. It is easy to access the park’s museums and space for biking, walking and sports. Public transportation is easy from DeBaliviere and commutes are five to 15 minutes. DeBaliviere is bounded by three MetroLink* stations and it is crossed by several bus** routes. Commuting by bike though Forest Park*** is beautiful and quick: 15 to 20 minutes.
* The MetroLink lines run until 12:30 a.m.
** The bus runs until 1:30 a.m.
*** Forest Park closes officially at 11:00 p.m., but you can still bike through it.
— Alaric D., M1
Clayton
Many of your fellow classmates will choose to live within blocks of the WUSM campus in the CWE, but I really love living in Clayton and will
probably do so for the next three years. I have lived here since junior year of undergrad and not only is it super safe, but I am a three-minute walk to the Forsyth MetroLink stop, which is a mere 10 minutes away from the med campus (did I mention WUSM gives you a FREE Metro pass?). Housing is a little more expensive , but you get WAY more space. You’re a simple car or bike ride away from a great grocery store and easy access to lots of great shops and restaurants in Clayton (with affordable prices and happy hours). If a 10-minute ride is too far, check out the DeMun neighborhood (one mile from the Skinker Metro stop and only six minutes to WUSM). Some of your classmates might start complaining about their crappy CWE landlord or lack of functioning appliances in their CWE apartment. Why not avoid those frustrations and try a new, better-kept area of STL?
— Jeanette W. S., M1
Tower Grove
Not to be confused with The Grove (Forest Park Southeast), Tower Grove is a neighborhood approximately two miles south of campus surrounding Tower Grove Park. The park offers running paths, sports fields, picturesque Victorian-era pavilions and a Saturday farmers markets with morning yoga and live music. South Grand Avenue flanks the park’s eastern edge with good food and grocery options (The Vine, Rooster, Jays’ International Foods, among others). Most housing options are brick walk-ups with backyards and street parking. The value for one-bedrooms beats CWE — lower prices for larger spaces, many with hardwood floors and fireplaces. Multiple bus routes service the area and the boulevards are eminently bikeable. If you want a more “normal” life away from the med-centric CWE bubble, Tower Grove (or Southwest Garden/Shaw, a little closer to campus by the Missouri Botanical Garden) may be where you want to live. At the very least, be sure to visit.
— Ian F., M1