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Saint Louis, Missouri is a big, layered city of historic neighborhoods, and for students it centers on Washington University and the leafy west side near Forest Park. WashU's Danforth Campus sits on the edge of Forest Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country, home to the free art museum, science center, history museum, and zoo. The student scene radiates into University City and the Delmar Loop, a famous six-block stretch of venues and shops, plus historic districts like Skinker-DeBaliviere and the Central West End. Beyond campus, the city offers the Gateway Arch, pro baseball and hockey, the Cathedral Basilica, and a deep music history.
In University City, the Delmar Loop area buzzes with venues, restaurants, and shops, putting you in the busiest social stretch near campus.
Tucked just north of the Loop and east of campus, Skinker-DeBaliviere is a historic neighborhood with serious character and a quick walk to lecture.
Next to the medical campus and Forest Park, the Central West End mixes walkable streets, a library, and a lively dining scene, popular with grad and med students.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Saint Louis.
MetroLink, the region's two-line light rail, has two stations right on the WashU campus, Skinker and Big Bend, and full-time students qualify for a Metro U-Pass that makes MetroLink and MetroBus rides free. The Danforth Campus Circulator shuttle links the train stations to spots across campus and the South 40. Between the U-Pass and the circulator, students reach class, the park, and the Loop without a car. The light rail makes downtown trips simple.
The west-side neighborhoods near campus and Forest Park are walkable, and the Central West End and Delmar Loop are easy on foot. Biking works well on the flatter west-side streets and through Forest Park. Traffic gets busier than a small town, so ride with care. Most daily needs near campus are within walking distance.
A car is useful for exploring the suburbs, but if you live near campus and lean on the U-Pass, you can reach class, the park, and the Loop without one. Driving is most useful for destinations beyond the rail lines. Parking near campus and the busy west-side districts is limited. Many students near campus get by without a car.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
It spans a wide range given the city's size. Near WashU, a 1-bedroom often runs $800-$1,400 per month, while rooms in shared houses or apartments can land around $600-$900 per person. Central West End and the Loop sit higher; quieter blocks farther out cost less. Splitting a place with roommates is the usual money-saver.
Browse student housing near each Saint Louis-area university.