Local Expert's Guide To the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in St. Louis
Finding the right neighborhood to rent near your St. Louis college or university isn’t just about convenience. Although that's certainly an important factor, it’s also about finding a place that fits your lifestyle, budget, and maybe even your favorite late-night study or snack spots. St. Louis is known as a “city of neighborhoods,” with almost 80 very different districts, each one offering something unique. The neighborhoods closest to the main colleges and universities are no different, ranging from lively entertainment districts where you'll find something to do at all hours of the day to peaceful residential pockets that serve as your personal retreat to get away from the pressures of university.
Whether you want to be within walking distance of campus, surrounded by restaurants and coffee shops, or tucked into a quieter suburb with easy access to the city core, I’m here to help you navigate the best rental options near the city’s major higher education institutions. And who am I? I'm Taryn, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com team Local Expert for St. Louis. Although I'm not a college student, my young family moved here a few years ago, and we were looking for a lot of the things a college neighborhood offers: great dining and entertainment options close by, walkability, affordability, and easy access to everything else. Join me as I dive into all the options.
Washington University
"WashU" is a prestigious private university known for strong academics, consistently ranking among the top 20 universities in the U.S. As of 2023, the undergraduate population was 8,267. The university sits in a prime location on the edge of Forest Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country and home to several popular attractions and miles of scenic trails—all completely free to explore.
Forest Park Southeast
Living here puts you steps away from beautiful Forest Park, with trails, open green space, loads of festivals, and the Missouri History Museum, St. Louis Zoo, art museum, and science center. And remember, they're all free! Just south of WashU, Forest Park Southeast is almost entirely residential aside from the park. As a well-established neighborhood, it's mostly large single-family homes, but there is a decent selection of apartments and condos. However, if you see one you like, act quickly—available rentals don't last long, as this is one of the most in-demand neighborhoods in the entire city. A 10-minute walk, The Grove is a colorful, fuzzy entertainment district with dozens of trendy restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops. I highly recommend Everest Cafe, serving hard-to-find Nepalese cuisine, and the Crawfish Bread at Grace Meat + Three (my husband hails from Louisiana!).
Central West End (CWE)
CWE is vibrant and walkable, home to Washington University’s medical campus, making it a top choice for med school students and residents. Thanks to the large concentration of students (it's also near Saint Louis University!), the vibe leans young and trendy but welcoming, and there's no shortage of great cafes. Check out Pass the Past, a well-curated vintage and coffee shop. The neighborhood offers a nice mix of housing: stylish apartments and condos, as well as some historic homes, and is packed with highly-rated restaurants and lively bars. Forest Park is just across the street, convenient for exercise or just a break from the day-to-day. As a bonus, CWE hosts the city’s biggest Halloween street party each year.
Shaw/Tower Grove
Shaw and Tower Grove, adjacent and often considered one and the same, offer a quieter alternative just a few minutes south of campus, ideal for students seeking a break from the hustle of college life. This area is best known for the stunning Missouri Botanical Garden and Tower Grove Park (don't miss the farmers market Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings), along with its proximity to The Hill, St. Louis’ beloved “Little Italy.” Every time I'm anywhere near this area, I stop into 100-plus-year-old Missouri Baking Company for a box of pastries. With tree-lined streets, bigger homes, and a strong sense of community, living in Shaw or Tower Grove means more space and truly unwinding after class.
Saint Louis University
SLU is a private Catholic university in the heart of the city, founded in 1818 as the first in the city and one of the country's oldest. Known for its research-driven, faith-based curriculum, SLU offers nearly 100 bachelor’s programs, with nursing, marketing, and biology the top three most popular. The college also has over 150 extracurriculars, ranging from club sports to Greek life and clubs including climbing, anime, photography, political affairs, and many others. Students can also take advantage of the unique opportunity to easily study abroad at the university's Madrid campus.
Midtown
Sitting between downtown and CWE, Midtown offers a convenient, slightly more affordable option than both. Just north of SLU, the neighborhood provides easy access to everything in St. Louis, from shopping and dining to nightlife and major interstates. Students and young couples are drawn to the neighborhood’s endless attractions and amenities, including the Foundry, a public market with food stalls, shops, mini-golf, and more; Union Station; IKEA; the Cardinals' stadium; Top Golf; and the Grand Center Arts District. Rentals in Midtown cater to students, but look for secure lobby access and garage or gated parking. Not having to park on the street in the middle of the city is worth its weight in gold!
Lafayette Square
This charming, downtown-adjacent neighborhood is best known for its stunning historic Victorian architecture. Despite being right in the city center and just five minutes from campus driving or via public transportation, Lafayette Square is surprisingly quiet, with well-maintained homes and tree-lined streets. At its center is scenic Lafayette Park, the city’s first public park and one of the oldest in the U.S. Sports fans and students alike love the walkable access to restaurants, bars, and the stadiums for the St. Louis Cardinals and Blues. My family loves everything at SqWires, which often has live music, and Square One Brewery's (dog-friendly) patio.
Tower Grove East
Vibrant, walkable TGE is adjacent to popular Tower Grove Park, offering a mix of historic charm and modern conveniences that perfectly embodies the spirit of the city. The area is known for its excellent food scene, especially along South Grand, where you’ll find a variety of international restaurants and independently-owned local bars. You can't go wrong anywhere, truly, but I love The Vine for Mediterranean, Meskerem for Ethiopian, and Rooster for brunch. With plenty of rentals available, from classic Victorian homes to apartments and condos in brick building, it's a great spot for students. The neighborhood is also home to the spacious Carpenter Branch of the St. Louis Public Library, perfect for studying or remote work.
University of Missouri - St. Louis
UMSL is one of four main University of Missouri campuses (the largest and perhaps best known is "Mizzou" in Columbia) and one of the city’s only public universities. In a suburban setting in North County, northwest of St. Louis proper, UMSL offers a quieter alternative to the city’s many urban college campuses while still providing easy access to downtown, Forest Park, and the airport. With 12,151 undergraduates enrolled as of 2023, UMSL is known for having the only School of Optometry in Missouri and offering engineering courses in partnership with Washington University.
Pasadena Hills
Despite being one of the oldest neighborhoods in St. Louis County, Pasadena Hills is the very definition of a hidden gem. Even many longtime locals know very little about it! Residents like it that way, keeping it mostly quiet and heavily residential. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Hills sits adjacent to UMSL on its east side and offers an easy commute with quick access to I-70 and I-170. Downtown is about a 15-minute drive, and Clayton, with shopping and other amenities, is even closer. The area is a pleasant mix of students, young families, and university staff, creating a friendly, walkable atmosphere where neighbors chat, kids ride bikes, and someone is always walking their dog. Homes, rentals included, are architecturally diverse, featuring a lot of French Eclectic and Spanish Colonial Revival design with plenty of character.
You may also want to consider Pasadena Park, which is technically its own neighborhood but widely considered a little pocket of Pasadena Hills. Pasadena Park has smaller homes and less open space, resulting in slightly more affordability—definitely a perk for many students and university faculty and employees.
Bellerive
Bellerive isn't exactly a traditional college neighborhood, but then again, UMSL is very much a commuter school. For students looking for a quieter, more residential setting, and particularly optometry students, it’s a fantastic option. Located on the west side of campus, the neighborhood features well-kept homes, tree-lined streets, and easy access to a scenic greenway that leads north toward Ferguson, perfect for walking or biking. While rentals here are mostly single-family homes shared with a few roommates, there are also some townhomes and apartments available for rent. Just be sure not to confuse the Bellerive neighborhood with Bellerive Park, one of my favorite spots in St. Louis for taking in city views.
Adjacent to Bellerive and especially convenient to UMSL's South Campus, the College of Education, and the Pierre-Laclede Honors College, Bel-Nor is a quiet residential suburb. It is similar to Bellerive in that regard, but this neighborhood has one especially unique feature: it has very few through streets, so it's noticeably even quieter. While some college students may prefer a more lively neighborhood, Bel-Nor is ideal for graduate students and anyone who would prefer their home to be a sanctuary. Luckily, you can be in downtown or Midtown in 15-20 minutes, and there are a handful of small local bars closer by. The most appealing thing about Bel-Nor is the older homes with historical, distinguished architecture. You have plenty of traditional apartments and condos to choose from, but you may also find a rental in a brick bungalow or renovated Victorian home.
St. Louis Community College - Forest Park Campus
A highly respected community college, STLCC is an appealing alternative to four-year universities for many students, not to mention it employs hundreds of people. The Forest Park campus offers several unique, highly sought-after, and notoriously rigorous programs. Some of the standouts include dental hygiene, nursing, cybersecurity, culinary arts, and baking and pastry arts. The college's culinary program is considered one of the best in the Midwest! A new transportation program is also set to open soon, offering automotive and diesel technology programs alongside truck driver training and certification. Although STLCC sits on the edge of Forest Park and relatively close to Washington and Saint Louis universities, housing needs and preferences at a community college often differ significantly from those at a four-year university. With that in mind, I'm highlighting three other neighborhoods nearby—but keep in mind that the areas recommended for those colleges are worth considering, also.
Cheltenham
Although it's officially called Cheltenham, refer to this neighborhood as Dogtown if you want to fit in with the locals (and definitely if you plan to become one). Dogtown is technically a colloquial term for the area encompassing a handful of diverse neighborhoods, and Cheltenham falls squarely within that boundary. Regardless of what you call it, this energetic neighborhood is closest to STLCC and has a very active, close-knit vibe. There are a few dedicated Facebook groups for residents and college students living in the area, as well as several great restaurants and coffee shops. Mac's Local Eats is a bit of a sleeper, as it's unassumingly attached to a hotel, but trust me—the burgers here are legendary. In terms of rentals, you'll find a large selection, ranging from small apartments to spacious townhomes and single-family homes.
Clayton-Tamm
This hilly, leafy neighborhood bordering Forest Park and Cheltenham, the original core of Dogtown, is ideal for anyone wanting to be near the community college. In addition to tons of attractive rental apartments and homes, you'll find an eclectic bit of everything: a guitar shop, a few thrift shops, a candy store, dive bars (my go-to is Pat's), several restaurants, and Sugaree Baking Company. It's famous for the scratch-made sweet pies, but don't sleep on the chicken pot pie and cinnamon rolls.
Franz Park
Just a five-minute drive or 30-minute walk from campus, Franz Park is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in St. Louis. The historic, inclusive neighborhood is also tucked into the beloved “Dogtown” area, with a rich history shaped by European immigrants who came to work in the clay and coal mines. Today, that translates to unique homes, a strong sense of community, and a fabulous mix of restaurants. I love Olympia Kebob House for Greek/Mediterranean.
