Student Housing in Saint Louis, MO
Student Housing in Saint Louis, MO
About Student Housing in Saint Louis
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.
Best Neighborhoods for Students in Saint Louis
Delmar Loop
In University City, the Delmar Loop area buzzes with venues, restaurants, and shops, putting you in the busiest social stretch near campus.
Skinker-DeBaliviere
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.
Central West End
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.
Getting Around Saint Louis as a Student
Here's what you need to know about getting around Saint Louis.
Public Transit
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.
Walking and Biking
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.
Parking
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.
Frequently Asked Questions: Student Housing in Saint Louis
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.
The Delmar Loop, Skinker-DeBaliviere, the Central West End, Clayton, and DeMun are the standbys. The Loop is the social hub, Skinker-DeBaliviere and DeMun are quieter and historic, and the Central West End is popular with grad and med students near Forest Park.
Not if you live near campus. MetroLink has two stations on the WashU campus and students ride free with the U-Pass, plus the campus Circulator shuttle. A car helps for exploring the wider metro, but the close-in neighborhoods, Forest Park, and the Loop are reachable without one.
Skinker-DeBaliviere, the Loop, DeMun, and Clayton all sit within a short walk or shuttle ride of the Danforth Campus. Many students walk to lecture in 10-15 minutes or hop the MetroLink one stop.
The west-side neighborhoods near campus, Forest Park, and the Loop are well-traveled and popular with students. As in any city, stay aware after dark and use the campus shuttle or security escort for late nights. WashU runs safety services across the area.
Start touring in the late fall or early spring for the next academic year. The most convenient blocks near campus and the Loop fill first, so locking a place by late winter gives you the best selection.
Most run 12 months on an August cycle. WashU's Quadrangle manages a chunk of off-campus housing in Skinker-DeBaliviere, the Loop, and the Central West End, which is a reliable starting point. Many homes are historic, so check the heating and windows before signing.
Some apartments bundle water and trash, but heat, electric, and internet are often on you, especially in older homes. Plan on roughly $120-$200 per month per person for utilities, with summer AC and winter heat pushing the high end. Always confirm what's covered.
Yes. WashU's off-campus channels list rooms and roommate matches, and summer sublets are common when students leave. Rooming up in a house near the Loop or Skinker-DeBaliviere is the standard way to keep costs down.
Forest Park is the big draw, one of the country's largest urban parks, with the free art museum, science center, history museum, and zoo all on its grounds. You're also near the Gateway Arch, pro baseball and hockey, and the Loop's music venues. It's a full city experience right outside campus.
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