<p>how safe is the city in general? i have heard that it has a really bad neighborhood, but also some good ones which are closer to washU, and are attractions such as the zoo, forest park, etc in the bad neighborhoods or good ones? thanks</p>
<p>i am prolly not the most qualified person to answer this question b/c i am an incoming freshman but ive actually been to st. louis b4 (not for washu). Forest Park is close to wash u and is in a good area.</p>
<p>WashU is in a good area. Forest Park is literally across the street (Skinker Blvd.) from the school; it is home to the zoo, art museum, natural history museum, science center, etc. and all of these have free admission. St. Louis has some bad parts of town closer to downtown and to the northeast of the school, but WashU and the surrounding suburbs of Clayton, Brentwood, Maplewood, University City, etc. are nice.</p>
<p>It's pretty bad, but I wouldn't worry about it if I were a WUSTL student. I lived in St. Louis for 10 years and have been to WashU a gizzilion times, but the campus is isolated from those parts and you wouldn't feel unsafe.</p>
<p>I'd say the majority of st. louis isn't that bad. The city gets a bad rap b/c of east st. louis (on the other side of the mississippi, in IL). Yes, there are some bad neighborhoods, but it's easy enough to avoid them, and no reason to go. Downtown itself is fine, but becomes deserted at night, with the exception of some hot-spots and the stadium. There are a few neighborhoods near washu with more crime, but other than that, the surrounding area is nice and fun, with lots to do. Actually I'd say the same for much of the stretch between washu and downtown.</p>
<p>Clayton- the city where Wash U is located is VERY safe. To the north however, is University City ie. The Loop which is an area that has been redeveloped in the last 6 years. I am from th Washington D.C. Metro area and I feel safe everywhere I go here. BTW, I am a 2nd semester freshman here. It's safe.</p>
<p>However, washu borders the nice part of university city. I live in University city, so i'd know.</p>
<p>ahhh vtoodler i live in U City too! Near the lions! i'm applying to wash u for transfer, i think you are too?</p>
<p>wow, that's a weird coincidence. what hs did you go to?</p>
<p>Just don't go to East St. Louis and you should be fine.</p>
<p>yeah, i agree with ^. East St. Louis is rough. When I went there, I was really scared....</p>