<p>Hi all.
I would love to hear more about the areas around these two schools. My daughter doesn't have a problem with urban areas; she's in Chicago a lot and she loves New York. Just wondering about crime/safety and about general appeal to college students -- restaurants, coffee, theatre, music, etc.</p>
<p>I had friends who went to Marquette many years ago, and they loved going there even though the area was dicey. I'm thinking it's changed, but I don't know how much. And I don't know St. Louis at all.</p>
<p>If anyone feels like they could compare these neighborhoods to specific areas in Chicago, that would be helpful, too.
Thanks!</p>
<p>dbwes - I don't know Milwaukee and Chicago well enough for comparisons, but I'm reasonably familiar with St. Louis (as I have relatives there). Downtown St. Louis is right on the Mississippi River. About three miles west of downtown begins a very nice area that is home to Forest Park, the Zoo, the Science Museum, Washington University, etc. St. Louis University lies halfway between downtown and the aforementioned very nice area. The SLU campus is lovely (subjective I know), but it is isolated between downtown to the east and suburbs to the west --- belonging to neither really. My D really liked the school and it has many respected programs, but D couldn't get past the isolation. A visit is essential, IMHO.</p>
<p>I'll have to agree with NewHope. The SLU campus is surprisingly nice, but the neighborhood is not university-oriented in the sense that the area surrounding Washington Univ. is. If Give it a visit if you can.</p>
<p>I live in Wisconsin and visit Milwaukee all the time. The area around Marquette certainly isn't upscale residential, but it's nothing bad at all. Honestly. It's typical urban atmosphere...you know, almost like downtown. Definitely not low-income or what anyone would describe as"ghetto".</p>
<p>FWIW My cousin and his friend--Marquette students--were shot by non-students while in the yard at an off-campus house. This was about 2 years ago. I know--this this could happen anywhere, but I don't think the area is that good. (My relatives live in Milwaukee). All I can say is check out both schools and drive around the neighborhoods. I used to live in St. Louis and while SLU campus is nice, the surrounding area is considered not so safe.</p>
<p>My daughter is a junior at SLU. I would have to agree with the above descriptions. The campus is beautiful and very safe, but the adjacent areas are rather sketchy, especially north, south and east of campus. On the other hand, there really isn't anything located in those directions that students would want or need. </p>
<p>The area to the west leads up to Forest Park and just past that is Wash U. Walking in groups in daylight hours is relatively safe in that direction. Also, SLU provides shuttle busses on the weekends that take the students to the Galleria Mall in Brentwood, Target, a grocery chain, etc.</p>
<p>We are definitely going to visit both. It's going to be a trade-off for D, I know, as she really loves the atmosphere of real college towns like Madison and Iowa City and Ann Arbor -- BUT is feeling more and more that she wants a 6 year physical therapy program. Marquette and SLU both offer really good ones. The ironic thing is that I think the 6 year program is the way many more schools will be going in the near future. They're just not there yet, in time for my daughter's application.
Thanks so much to everyone who replied.</p>
<p>as long as you stay on either campus and use your wits, you will be fine.</p>
<p>venture outward and you could find yourself in a warzone.</p>
<p>i don't know of any city school where the surrounding neighborhood is typically as nice as a campus.</p>
<p>when one thinks one is safe, one isn't. no matter if it's suburbs, cities or place of work. always take precautions and think smart. a class in self defense is fine for some situations. being able to run very fast is another good quality to have.</p>
<p>Musictoad --
I agree that we all need to cultivate in our children a sense of self-awareness and street smarts, but your emphasis on everpresent danger seems a little much. I grew up in a city. Do you live in an urban area? I think your use of the word "warzone" and your advice that students learn to "run very fast" are overdone.
Did I misread something here?</p>
<p>It's definitely not a "warzone". Just have a little common sense and don't be stupid, you'll be fine. Yes, if you go out alone at 3 AM completely trashed you will probably have problems if you go off campus. Don't pick a school because of the area around it.</p>
<p>Besides, if you go to Marquette, you can go to Brewer games all the time which is pretty cool considering that the Brewers are the best team ever. Ever.</p>
<p>Avoid the areas north of Wisconsin Ave around the Marquette campus. Definitely see the campus and ask questions about safety. I can understand the academic reasons for the school choice, be sure to check out current PT programs at nicer campuses for the most recent versions that apply to your D. I don't like the area- my medical school still used the Marquette basic science building in the late 70's so I have first hand experience, the around campus area has not improved in safety although on campus should be good.</p>
<p>Wasn't St Louis just rated the most dangerous city in America within the last year? My daughter lived in St. Louis last year from August to November for her student teaching stint. She said something funny about it was that there seemed to be pockets of places she liked. She would go over to the Wash U area for cool restaurants and shops and then over to another area for the mall and someplace else for music and concerts.</p>
<p>Describing SLU as being located in a warzone is a gross exageration. Obviously, in any urban area, students need to be street smart and aware of their surroundings.</p>
<p>And bigp9998, not to burst your Brewers' bubble, but you do remember which team won the World Series last year, don't you? GO CARDS!!!</p>
<p>The Marquette campus and surrounding neighborhoods have improved immensely in the last 15 years. This is not to say that a student shouldn't still be cautious, particularly in the residential areas just north and west, but within a few blocks of campus it's okay. The campus itself is very safe and quite attractive for a downtown city campus on flat ground. East and south of campus Marquette is bordered by freeways, but if you walk over the brand new bridge on Wisconsin Avenue (the main drag on campus) you are already in Downtown Milwaukee, which is completely safe in the daytime and quite safe at night. I see students running and jogging around the area all the time.</p>
<p>I have not been to SLU but the daughter of a close friend of mine will be a freshman there this fall in the 6 year PT program. They have visited several times and are satisfied the campus is safe.</p>
<p>Someone above mentioned that all city campuses have these issues. Not all. One of my alma maters, UW-Milwaukee, has a very attractive campus in the nicest part of Milwaukee. It's a terrific urban University, but unfortunately it does not have a PT program that I am aware of.</p>
<p>i'm going through the college search process with my son, and if i were to choose a school based on neighborhoods and surrounding areas and culture, i would not choose SLU. BUT, the campus is lovely and their programs are strong. I suspect they may also have strong connections to the Barnes/Jewish Hospital located in the same neighborhood (i've got a friend who graduated from SLU and now does research at BJM Hospital, which is affiliated with Wash U.) I currently live in St. Louis, next to Forrest Park and Wash U., which is filled with a wide range of people, from college students, to young professionals, to older folks. Forrest Park and the museums are also a nice diversion, but, it certainly does not have the typical college town feel, nor does it have the same kind of vibrant life of a Chicago or New York (where I have also lived). As for academics, SLU has a lot to offer. . . as for the city. . . . i don't think it really adds to the college experience.</p>
<p>having a friend murdered in a coporate parking lot surrounded by barbed wire and television cameras shatters illusions about safety.
if asked, always use an escort. never walk alone.</p>
<p>as for Marquette, as an undergrad, several students were attacked--not an everyday occurrence just something to be concerned about. walking alone invites trouble. try to stay in groups.</p>
<p>warzone is a relative term. for kids from suburbia not used to urban enviroment, the term is applicable.</p>