Washington University's Off-Campus Housing Office provides apartment listings and renting information. The Apartment Referral Service (ARS) (http://ars.wustl.edu) provides comprehensive information on renting an apartment and also maintains lists of off-campus housing options. ARS maintains lists of non-University owned housing options and works with Quadrangle Housing (http://offcampushousing.wustl.edu/index.asp), the management company for all University-owned properties, many of which are on the MetroBus line.
Most people choose to live within a few miles of either campus in neighborhoods such as the Central West End, Clayton, Richmond Heights, Dogtown or the Loop. There are many safe areas around the campuses, but some areas do vary from street to street. We encourage you to check out your neighborhood before signing a lease, and if you are in doubt ask a co-worker or contact Washington University’s Apartment Referral Service for more information.
On the ARS site, you may search under "Non-University Housing" for short-term rentals and to look for roommates.
Additional rental resources:
List of Central West End Area Apartment Buildings
St. Louis Post-Dispatch On-line Classified Ads
The Riverfront Times Classified Ads (St. Louis’ alternative newsweekly)
Before You Rent…....
Renting is a business. It is governed by law and it is to your advantage to know how the law protects you and how it protects your landlord. The Missouri Attorney General’s Office explains the general obligations of Tenant-Landlord Law (http://ago.mo.gov/publications/landlordtenant.htm) including the rights of the tenant and the landlord, the lease process, security deposits and repairs. and the rental process. We encourage you to read this information and to consult a lawyer if you have specific concerns or questions. Landlords cannot refuse to sell, rent, sublease or otherwise make housing available based on a renter's race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin.
Because of the low cost of living in St. Louis and the availability of affordable housing, many people choose to buy property rather than rent. If you are interested in purchasing a house, the St. Louis Association of Realtors is a good place to start as well as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Washington University does not investigate or endorse specific properties or landlords. Tenants are responsible to inspect a rental address and negotiate the lease terms with any landlord.
As follows below is a list of neighborhoods bordering the WUSTL campuses:
DeMun
Streets: Aberdeen, Alamo, DeMun, Northwood, Rosebury, San Bonita, Skinker, and Southwood.
This neighborhood is well situated, close to Washington University's Danforth Campus, and tucked away between Skinker and Concordia Seminary. With Forest Park to the east, the area is quiet with reasonably to expensively priced apartments mixed with houses and families. You may even discover a few professors that live here. The Dorchester, a high rise overlooking Forest Park, is home to some students, while the rest of the 1920’s era apartments are generally large and well kept. Features a small shopping district on DeMun that includes antique stores, salons, a landromat, Jimmy’s on the Park, Sasha’s Wine Bar, and the original Kaldi’s Coffee House. Close to Schnucks, Hi-Pointe, and the Esquire.
Moorlands
Streets: Buckingham, Byron Place, Cromwell, Forest Court, Oxford, Parkdale, Wellington Way, Westwood, Wydown, and York.
This is a quiet, friendly area with a refreshing number of older people and young kids. However, this means that there aren’t that many students around either. The apartments are large and in the reasonable-to-expensive range for St. Louis and located approximately 1 mile from the Danforth Campus. There is limited shopping within walking distance, including Protzel’s Deli, Starbucks, a salon, and a dry cleaner. Downtown Clayton is relatively close by.
University City
Streets: Washington Ave, University Drive, Kingsland, Kingsbury, The Loop (Delmar Blvd)
The 6600-6800 blocks of Washington, University, and Kingsbury are very popular. The area is close to the Danforth campus, and is located due north of the Law School building, between Forest Park Parkway and Delmar. The Delmar Loop is to the north and east of this area. You will find a high concentration of undergrads in this area because it is adjacent to both campus and shopping areas, and the university-owned Greenway and University Drive options are also in this area. The apartments are usually fairly spacious, although often in poorer shape than those in other areas. The Loop has an easygoing community spirit more evident than in some of the other areas. Many local merchants cater to students. Living south of Delmar is preferable to living north of Delmar for your safety.
Skinker/DeBaliviere Neighborhood
Located a few blocks northeast of the Danforth campus, this neighborhood is very popular with both undergraduates and graduate students. Apartments are generally spacious and reasonably priced. There is a strong neighborhood association that welcomes students interested in volunteering for community projects. The university-owned Rosedale and Horseshoe options are also located in this area. Parking can be a challenge, but the Skinker MetroLink stop at Skinker and Forest Park Parkway makes this an ideal neighborhood for those who want to be close to campus and also have interest in exploring the greater St. Louis area. Kayak’s Coffee, a branch of the St. Louis Public Library, and a few quirky establishments are in the neighborhood, and the Loop is just a short walk up Skinker. Forest Park is also just a few blocks away.
West End and Central West End (CWE)
About five blocks east of Skinker is DeBaliviere Place. DeBaliviere Place is in the area known as the “West End.” Many apartments have been recently renovated. The Euclid-McPherson area is close to the Medical School and is known as the “Central West End.” One of the most cosmopolitan areas in St. Louis, it contains a fascinating shopping area and tons of unique entertainment and nightlife. The Chase Park Plaza, one of St. Louis’ finest hotels, also has residences available. The neighborhoods are populated by many beautiful old houses along private streets and in other sections, picturesque sidewalk cafes and boutiques line the streets. The West End is served by the Forest Park-DeBaliviere MetroLink station, and the CWE is served by the Central West End Station. Trains and busses provide convenient connection to both the Medical School, Danforth Campus, and West Campus.
Maplewood and Richmond Heights
Students and postdocs with cars have a greatly expanded range of possibilities. Richmond Heights and Maplewood, both south on Big Bend, are loosely defined by Clayton Rd. to the north and Highway 44 to the south. Big Bend and Manchester roads serve as the heart of these residential communities with lots of housing in the student price range. Shopping and affordable eating are quite convenient.
Dogtown
Roughly the area between bounded by I-64/40, McCausland, Manchester, and Hampton. Dogtown is a close-knit community that is popular with graduate students for its inexpensive housing and proximity to campus. The apartments and rental homes are generally midsized and inexpensive and there is significant population of life-long residents. There is a small business district as an old world feel and is found at the intersection of Tamm and Clayton. It includes the original Cairdea’s Coffee, Felix’s, and Seamus McDaniel’s Irish Pub. Dogtown is the center of St. Louis’ St. Patrick’s Day celebration and is a nice, quiet community that feels slightly more removed from WashU despite its proximity to campus. Forest Park and the Hi-Pointe are nearby
.
Other neighborhoods nearby (car probably required)
Brentwood, Downtown, Midtown, Tower Grove, and Olivette.
Many of these neighborhoods are accessible by MetroBus or MetroLink as well.
A MAP OF NEARBY NEIGHBORHOODS
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- A. DeMun
- B. Moorlands
- C. University City
- D. Skinker/DeBaliviere
- E. West End
- F. Central West End
- G. Maplewood
- H. Richmond Heights
- I. Dogtown
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If you do not have the opportunity to find an apartment prior to your arrival in St. Louis, you may need to find short term housing for the first few days or month(s). Please visit Washington University Apartment Referral Service (http://ars.wustl.edu) for a list of short-term accommodations. After accessing the site, select “Non-University Housing" then under Housing Options, select "short-term." All distances are from the Washington University Danforth Campus near the corner of Skinker and Forest Park Parkway referred to as "Main Campus".
Pelican Properties also rents apartments on a short-term basis in the Central West End neighborhood near the School of Medicine. For availability and pricing, please contact Doug Miller, general manager, at voice (314) 409-4853 or pelicanproperties1@yahoo.com.
Sometimes the Spencer T. Olin Residence Hall (http://medicine.wustl.edu/students/olinhall.html) at the Washington University School of Medicine is able to provide temporary accommodations on a space available basis. For information, please contact Olin Residence Hall at 314-362-3230.
PC Housing, a nationwide temporary housing provider based in San Diego, also has temporary housing units available. Please visit their website for locations and contact them for pricing: http://www.pchousing.com/locations.aspx?state=Missouri&city=St._Louis.
Hotels located near the Medical Campus:
The Parkway Hotel (on the Medical Campus)
4550 Forest Park Blvd.
St. Louis , MO 63110
1-866-314-7700
(314) 256-7777
Drury Inn & Suites – St. Louis Forest Park
2111 Sulphur Avenue
1-44 & Hampton Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63139
1-800-DRURYINN
(314) 646-0770
Cheshire Inn & Lodge
6300 Clayton Rd.
St. Louis , MO 63117
1-800-325-7378
(314) 647-7300
Hampton Inn & Suites – St. Louis at Forest Park
5650 Oakland Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110
1-800-HAMPTON
(314) 655-3993
Hotels near the Danforth Campus:
The Knight Center
(on the Washington University Danforth Campus)
Forest Park Parkway & Throop Drive
St. Louis, MO 63130
(866) 933-9400
(314) 933-9400
Sheraton Clayton Plaza
7730 Bonhomme
Clayton, MO 63105
(800) 325-3535
(314) 863-0400
Crowne Plaza St. Louis-Clayton Hotel
7750 Carondelet
Clayton, MO 63105
(800) 227-6963
(314) 726-5400
Ritz-Carlton-St. Louis
100 Carondelet Plaza
Clayton, MO 63105
(800) 241-3333
(314) 863-6300
Washington University does not investigate or endorse specific properties or landlords. Tenants are responsible to inspect a rental address and negotiate the lease terms with any landlord.
Visit the Washington University Family Network (http://wustlfamily.net) for parent to parent resources including information on daycares, school districts and fun family activities. You must be a WU faculty or staff member, postdoc or student to join the network.
Depending on your lease and the apartment you have rented, utilities may or may not be included. If utilities are not included, you are responsible to set up service for your apartment. Listed below are the major utility companies in the St. Louis area. Each company operates differently, so please make sure you know when service will start, if a deposit is required, if there is a connection charge, etc.
GAS
Laclede Gas Company 314-621-6960 or toll-free 800-887-4173
ELECTRICITY
AmerenUE 314-342-1111 or toll-free outside St. Louis 1-800-552-7583
Anyone who works in the United States is required to file an income tax return – U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents and Foreign Nationals. Non-immigrant visa holders who are considered tax exempt are also required to file a return. In addition, when non-immigrant visa holders complete a project in the U.S. and return home, they are still expected to file a tax return for the calendar year during which they left the U.S.
Unfortunately, Washington University is not able to provide specific assistance with filing taxes. However, here are some resources:
The most common taxes withheld from a salary are U.S. Federal Income Tax, Missouri State Income Tax, St. Louis City Earnings Tax and Social Security (FICA) / Medicare tax. For information on U.S. Federal Taxes, please access the Internal Revenue Service site at www.irs.gov. For information on Missouri state taxes, please go to the Department of Revenue, Division of Taxation at www.dor.state.mo.gov/tax. On these sites you can find information on what forms you need to file and instructions on how to file them.
The International Office (http://oisshome.wustl.edu) has some information for international students and scholars on their website at http://oisshome.wustl.edu/taxes/FilingTaxes.html as well as access to CINTAX software for non-resident filers.
The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) also has information about taxes posted on their website as well at http://www.nationalpostdoc.org/component/content/article/69-postdocs/187-overview-of-tax-issues-for-postdocs and information at taxes for internationals at
http://www.nationalpostdoc.org/publications/international-postdoc-resources/international-postdoc-survival-guide/168-beginners-guide-to-income-taxes-for-international-postdocs.
Estimated Taxes
If you are receive a fellowship or stipend and are not paid a salary from Washington University, taxes may not be withheld from your paychecks. In this case, you will need to file and pay estimated taxes on a quarterly basis by the following schedule:
For the period of: |
Taxes Due: |
| Jan. 1st through Mar. 31st |
Apr. 15th |
| Apr. 1st through May 31st |
Jun. 15th |
| Jun. 1st through Aug. 31st |
Sept. 15th |
| Sept. 1 through Dec. 31st |
Jan. 15th of the following year |
Saturday, Sunday, holiday rule. If the due date for making an estimated tax payment falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the payment will be on time if you make it on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
For more information on how to file estimated taxes, please access the IRS website at www.irs.gov and search for "Estimated Taxes".
Getting around St. Louis is easy: convenient highways intersect throughout St. Louis City and County, and make it possible to live in any part of the area. Interstate 64 (Hwy 40) is currently undergoing reconstruction from Brentwood Blvd/I-170 to Kingshighway and will reopen by the end of 2009.
Metro (http://www.metrostlouis.org) operates the St. Louis metropolitan region's public transportation system - a multi-modal system that includes MetroBus and MetroLink light rail, as well as Metro Call-A-Ride paratransit system. MetroLink has one stop at the Washington University Medical Center and two stops at WU's Danforth Campus. Additionally, Metro operates several MetroBus routes in the neighborhoods around and between both campuses.
If you are bringing a car with you to St. Louis, you may want to consider available parking when choosing a place to live. If you will be driving and parking on campus, you will need to purchase a parking permit. Please contact the appropriate Department of Transportation for more information: Danforth: (314) 935-5601 or http://transportation.wustl.edu/ or the School of Medicine (314) 362-6824 or http://medfacilities.wustl.edu/facilities/fmdweb.nsf/WV/32652A05708A907C8625707A0066453E?OpenDocument.
It is a good idea to establish a checking account with a St. Louis bank since out of town checks can be difficult to use. Bank of America has a full service branch at the Danforth Campus and ATMS at the School of Medicine campus. US Bank has a branch at 216 S Kingshighway Blvd (at Forest Park Parkway) and an ATM at the Medical Center. St. Louis Community Credit Union also has an ATM at the Medical Center.
The following are larger St. Louis area banks and credit unions:
Bank of America (800) 944-0404
US Bank (314) 425-2000/ 1-800-872-2657
Commerce Bank (314) 746-8700
National City Bank 888-622-4932
Pulaski Bank 314-878-2210/1-888-649-3320
Regions Bank 1-800-REGIONS
Reliance Bank 314-569-7200
Southwest Bank 1-888-811-3196
UMB Bank, N.A. 314-621-1000
Credit Unions
First Community Credit Union (636) 728-3333, or 1-800-767-8880
St. Louis Community Credit Union 314-314-534-7610 (press 4) or 866-534-7610 (press 4).
There are other banks & credit unions in the area, we encourage you to refer to online listings or the Yellow Pages for additional selections and locations.
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