Good morning. I just accepted a job offer in St. Louis, moving from Chicago. I will in town this weekend to look for a place to rent for the first year we are there. I am looking for suggestions for a place to live with a good proximity to good riding and running both on road and off road. Good trail running within 20 minute drive would be perfect, if possible. Suggestions for tri clubs, running groups, fitness centers, etc. close to your suggestions are also welcome. We basically looking any on the west side of the city proper, ie. Clayton to the west and southwest. My office will be off of 64 on far east side of Chesterfield. Any and all suggestions welcome! Thanks!
Hey, I’m moving to STL as well…I’ve been there many times over the past 2 years.
I think the best place to live would be close to Forest Park, it’s a decent ~5 mile loop with a couple inclines. I don’t know about trails to run…there is the Katy Trial but it’s pretty flat.
There is also the STL Tri Club and the Maplewood Tri Club
Check out Wildwood. It’s not too far from your work and there are good roads for training to the south and west. Also a few parks with some trails not too far away.
Here’s a map of most of the good trail running in the area. http://www.bigriverrunning.com/trails.php
There are two tri clubs in the area, st Louis tri club and maplewood multisport.
I am also a transplant from Chicago. You’ll love the hilly terrain if you are used to riding on the flat roads in northeast Illinois.
Welcome to the Lou.
I would highly suggest you call my brother Justin Taylor 314-280-9996.
He is a Real Estate Agent in St. Louis but and has lived in Chesterfield and currently lives in Clayton.
He is a very active guy and will know the areas you will want to look at for your type of lifesytle.
He is currently training for the St. Louis Rock N Roll Marathon, but also races triathlons and knows some master swim groups in St. Louis.
Here is a link to his website. http://www.myhomesearchstl.com/
Give him a call, you can tell him you found out about him from his brother Jason.
Chesterfield, Wildwood and areas nearby would be my first choice, especially if you’re working in the area. There are lots of places to swim, bike and run, and some big parks (Babler, Creve Coeur, Castlewood, Katy Trail, etc.) not too far away. I’d stay away from the City of St. Louis and Forest Park–too much crime. Clayton is nice, but congested, and safe places to ride nearby are almost nonexistent. West county is safe, shopping is plentiful, and it’s very pretty. Stop in at the some of the athletic shops (Big Shark - West, Missouri Running Co.) in Chesterfield to ask for their opinions on biking and running in the area.
Check out the YMCA in Chesterfield as well.
Jim
Living in near South County (Sunset Hills, Fenton, Ballwin) would be great (EZ access to Forest Park as well as trails in other areas)…
I must also suggest that you get involved with the St. Louis Tri Club…they are a good conduit to group workouts, group bike rides and runs, as well as access to shops, discounts, etc…
Paul
Some good points here. St. Louis is kind of neighborhoody/clicky so, depending on where you end up living there are lots of options for teams.
I’m affiliated with Big Shark who recently opened a downtown store and a west county store. Check them out!
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions! Ask and you shall receive, I take any and all advice.
If I would travel back in time when I was all about tri’s I would have rented an apartment at Whispering Hills in Creve Coeur. It has an indoor 25 meter pool and a nice gym for an apartment complex. You would be able to ride to Creve Coeur Park or the flats past St. Charles or roll out to Wildwood and beyond b/c the complex is right at the end of Mason Rd… There is also a new tri shop in town which would be a short drive from Whispering Hills. Swim Bike Run http://www.sbrtrishop.com/
Go CUBS!!!