We live in NJ and are hearing mixed things about safety and the neighborhood around SLU. Would you feel safe sending your daughter there? Why or why not?
Yes. It’s closer to downtown than WUSTL so yes you’re in a city-ish area in a major city with crime issues.
If that’s a concern, then a lot of schools should be removed off your potential list.
If you have concerns, talk to the school. And yes both on and off campus, the student will need to be alert and have a birdie, etc in their hand at all times, not be looking at their screen but some would say that’s everywhere.
Good luck.
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I wouldn’t worry too much about it. As with any city you learn where and where not to go, how to best stay safe, etc. My D and I toured there a couple years ago. The campus was one of the most bustling, busy campuses we saw during that time. My D grew up in Oakland and now attends college in Chicago, so she is familiar with high-crime cities, but she knows which areas to avoid in both cities, how to be safe, carries a birdie, etc. I wouldn’t have worried too much about her if she had chosen SLU.
@Malsandhuskies D is at SLU, very happy there. Maybe she’ll chime in.
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D22 attends SLU and she and her friends have had no safety issues. They are very comfortable both on and off campus (STL is a very fun city with lots to do so they take advantage of that). As others have mentioned, it’s all about knowing areas of the city to avoid and exercising good judgment (ie don’t walk home by yourself at 3am)
We come from a very safe suburban town and D22 very little city . She has ha she has had no issues adjusting. In fact, she is loving having
D22 has had a fantastic expedience at SLU so far! It’s a wonderful community!
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Having lots of issues editing my previous post. My overall point is that SLU has felt like a safe and welcoming community for D22. It is an urban campus so you do have to be careful and okay with some city grittiness. My suburban girl loves the urban experience and finds lots of places on campus where she can feel away from the city when she wants that.
We live outside of Seattle and neither D22 or myself feel safe walking around much of that city.
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I’m late to this thread so IDK if you’re still interested but here goes:
My daughter has been accepted to Saint Louis University. I have no problem with her going there. I’m from St. Louis so let me provide some boots-on-the-ground perspective.
I have many friends and family who went there (most in the 1990’s). Some of my friends kids go to SLU currently. That area which is referred to locally as “midtown” is actually much improved from when I was young.
In the 1970’s it was a no-go zone. The areas just north and south in particular were a disaster. In the 1980’s, they filmed some scenes of the movie “Escape From New York” outside of the old Fox Theater. What does that tell you!? Well, shortly thereafter, the Fox was completely rehabbed and has been open as “The Fabulous Fox” for 40+ years. It’s an amazing venue and slightly north of there is Powell Symphony Hall. It’s still sketchy beyond that headed north.
The area south of there which we called “Vandeventer” or “McRee Town” was still awful until about 20 years ago. It has since been transformed by a new IKEA and a bar/restaurant area called “The Grove”. There’s even a new Top Golf right there.
Now, all of that said, these areas are still “the city”. They are subject to car break-ins and other random criminal acts. I wouldn’t wander around off-campus at night. But the campus is great. Again, I have no problem sending my daughter there. It’s her choice but I’d be happy if she did. It’s a great school. If anyone has further questions, let me know. Good luck to everyone.
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