Washington University in St. Louis - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

The atmosphere in St. Louis is not one of a traditional college town, as most students agree. The city is big enough that kids feel they can get away and utilize the resources of a semi-metropolis. At the same time, the campus is in a calm suburb, where there is a laid-back Midwestern atmosphere that many students from both the East Coast and West Coast find appealing. The immediate area surrounding the campus also offers plenty of fun opportunities: Forest Park to the east has a 10K bike trail, an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, the world-class Saint Louis Art Museum, lakes with gondolas, and plenty of picnic grounds. The Loop is a commercial district bordering campus on the north, with plenty of cafés, bars, shops, restaurants, a nice movie theater, and a few music venues. Most students seem to stay in the general area of campus, but there is plenty to do downtown and throughout the metro area.

The city seems to be on a slow but steady upswing. Washington Avenue houses a strip of trendy, hip bars and nightclubs, worth at least a weekend–evening visit. There are also neat little areas stashed around town that take a little digging to discover, like the cool stores on South Grand Boulevard, the bars on Pestalozzi Avenue, and the vibrant African American neighborhoods in North St. Louis. The most common complaint about St. Louis is the lack of centrality. The Metrolink makes it possible to get pretty much anywhere, but a car makes basic tasks like going to the dry cleaner significantly easier.

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Students Speak Out

WasJF says: Washington University in St. Louis 2011 Business

I think people do not appreciate... I think people do not appreciate St. Louis as much as they should. It is a pretty bustling city with art exhibits, different and interesting bars, eclectic people, and interesting sights. While it is really good to explore the city, there are definitely some places you want to stay away from. I do not interact with nearby universities. 12345 Local Atmosphere: March 17, 2009 Report

Anonymous says:

There are several other... There are several other universities in St. Louis: Saint Louis University (cute guys), Webster, and many others. So once you’re able to venture off campus, you can meet a lot of interesting people. Also, there are lots of fun places to visit, especially Forest Park which is actually right by campus. They have everything: a zoo, museums, science center, great places to walk or run; it’s just really nice. If you visit Wash U’s Web site (www.wustl.edu) and click on the 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

I wouldn’t say there’s anything to... I wouldn’t say there’s anything to stay away from, but definitely take advantage of downtown St. Louis. The Arch is a must see, and Union Station has good food and shopping. The Galleria is really close, and we’re really close to Forest Park (Wash U is right next to it, actually) which has a bunch of things to see for free: the art museum, a history museum, science center, and much more. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

St. Louis is not really a college... St. Louis is not really a college town, but there’s a lot of fun free stuff to do in Forest Park, which is nearby, like the zoo or art museum; and the Loop is a neighborhood near school, which is fun. There’s also a cool concert venue called the Pageant within walking distance 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

A lot of Wash U students come from... A lot of Wash U students come from New York City and other big East Coast cities, and they don’t rag on St. Louis too much, so it can’t be that bad. Actually, most students just stay on campus, and don’t really get out, so they don’t know what’s out there. There are actually plenty of things to do, beyond the ordinary attractions (Arch, zoo, art museum, etc.). There are some great, lesser-known bars like the Venice Café or the Upstairs Lounge, weird shopping districts like Cherokee Street (it’s all retro clothing/furniture stores and antique shops), and cool ethnic neighborhoods like South Grand. Of course, the Loop is nearby, and it’s an old leftist/hippy strip that’s become a little more commercial in recent years, but it still has a laid-back atmosphere and there are a couple of cool bars and cafés. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Facts

Did You Know?

Five Fun Facts about St. Louis:
• Blues music is big in St. Louis. Every year, there are several large festivals, such as the Muddy Blues and Roots Festivals, the Ribs and Blues Festivals, and others.
• St. Louis has the biggest Bosnian immigrant population in the country.
• In 1904, St. Louis was host to the World’s Fair, and to the first Olympic Games to take place in the United States.
• Rock & roll legend Chuck Berry can frequently be found playing at Blueberry Hill.
• St. Louis has one of the largest Mardi Gras celebrations outside of New Orleans.

Famous St. Louisans:
Chuck Berry, Bob Costas, Miles Davis, T.S. Eliot, Jonathan Franzen, Ron Isley, Albert King, Clark Terry

Local Slang:
The Landing – A plaza of bars and nightclubs located next to the Mississippi River.
Scurred – Afraid.
The Lou – A familiar term for St. Louis.
East Side – The seedy towns across the Mississippi River known for their casinos and strip clubs.
The Loop – The commercial area around Delmar Boulevard in University City.

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