Moving to St. Louis

Hey Alejandra!
Welcome to St. Louis! I have lived H. my whole life and it's a wonderful place to live whether single or with a family. I have traveled just about all over the world and was always happy to come back to St. Louis. They call it the biggest small town in the country. People are friendly and there are so many places and things to see and do.

Chesterfield Day School, St. John's Lutheran (you don't have to be Lutheran to go there), Gateway are all good schools.

Chesterfield Day is an independent Montessori school. I have two boys (5 and 6 3/4!) and the Montessori method seems to work well in general with boys. They can move around and they have certain goals to be accomplished throughout the day, but they choose in which order they want to do the work. It's allowing them to choose to work instead of being told this is what we're doing today or not doing. They become proactive not passive in their learning.

Boy, I sound like I work in their admissions department!

I am wanting to change pediatricians so I don't want to steer you wrong there. If you need one right away Dr. Lowther in Grover, Mo will do in a pinch. He's not so bad, but the office staff can make it tough going. Very difficult to get through to him.

Just in case you might need medical help before then, there is also an Urgent care facility, After Hours Pediatric Urgent Care, in the strip mall at Clarkson and Baxter roads. Once you're in Ballwin/Manchester/Ellisville area you'll know where that is! They're great there. Really care about the kids. They'll even give them a coupon for a free candy from the Chocolatier next door!

Grew up on "The Hill" (used to be where all the Italians lived, many still do), but now live in the Manchester/Ballwin area myself. So H.'s a preemptive, "Howdy, Neighbor!"

Hope this helps!

M.

Welcome to St. Louis! It's a great city. If you're husband is working in Chesterfield, the 2 school districts that you'd be looking in are Rockwood and Parkway. Both are great school district-Rockwood, maybe a little bit better, but both are some of the best in the area.

One great way to get involved in the community with your younger child, is Parents as Teachers-it's an early childhood program (for kids birth-3 years old) offered in every school district in Missouri-they send out parent educators to your home to talk about child development and bring activities for child. They also set up play groups and have lots of workshops/activities (most of which are free)-these are great ways to meet other parents. Just call the early childhood center in the District--Rockwood's number is ###-###-#### not sure of Parkways-I live in Rockwood.

As for pediatricians-there's a great group atSt. Luke's hospital--St. Louis Pediatrics. You can also call the physician referral service at St. Luke's-they'll give you lots of names. Welcome to the city--it's a great place to raise kids-lots of free activities!

I live in Eureka, which is close. It is off HWY 44 & HWY 109. We live in the Legends Golf Subdivision. I live on a cul de sac, with a house fo sale, that they might do a lease option on since they got transfered. It backs to the common ground and deer come up. 4 bedrooms 2-1/2 bath 2 story. Lots of upgrades, and they need to get rid of it and it has a major price reduction. There are tons of kids on our street. It is in the rockwood school district which is very highly rated.Just another option for you. My Dr. is Gerald Lowther ###-###-####. he is an older gentleman and wonderful After every visit, we head back to his office for any questions etc... He really takes the time with his patients. I also know several other people that use him. Good luck with the move, feel free to email me with any questions you may have

Hi! And Welcome to St. Louis! I am a new member of Mamasource, but I have lived in St. Louis my whole life, and actually live in the Ellisville area. The public schools out H. are excellent, actually the best in St. Louis. They are Rockwood and Parkway school districts. My son is only 16 months old, and I did not go to school in the district (I grew up in South County which is about 20 minutes South on Hwy 270), but my mom is a teacher and the district is highly recommended. They offer a wonderful Parents as Teachers program for babies before they reach school age. I highly recommend signing up for the Parents as Teachers program because they offer lots of insight on child development, as well as many play groups where you can meet other moms.

As for pediatricians, we see Dr. Laquita Graham at St.Luke's Hospital which is in Chesterfield off of Hwys 40 and 141. It's a large group and a very friendly, prompt office staff.

I hope this helps you. Good luck!

L. T

Hi Alejandra! Wow, I'm so excited that there is someone else who is experiencing what I just went through. My husband and I have been married 10 years as well. We have a 6 yr. old son and a 2 yr. old daughter. We just moved to Chesterfield from Oklahoma at the end of July. My husband works in Chesterfield and we are leasing a townhome for now. We are currently searching for a home. Our son attends Shenandoah Elementary and we have been very pleased as well as impressed with the system so far. The principal is outstanding and the teachers are great. I also stay at home with our daughter. We chose Dr. Thomas Sommers in O'Fallon and are very happy with his friendliness and was very welcoming to our family. He also suggested the Parents as Teachers program.
I also have had the happiness and sadness since moving. Very exciting to be in St. Louis but haven't met a lot of new women my age and I miss my family back home and my adorable girlfriends in OKC. Once you get H., send me a message and maybe we can meet. Would love to meet another mom in this area soon. Good luck with your move and the best of luck to your family!!!
J.

HI, welcome to STL!!!! :-) We moved H. 8 yrs ago from VA. We lived in an apt when we first go H. & bought a house about 2 yrs later. It was a smart move so you could see what areas you like best.

We live in Olive/Fee Fee area-near Chesterfield (which is north of manchester road....) All my kids go (went) to PARKWAY BAPTIST PRESCHOOL at Parkway Baptsit Church (off Olive Blvd)- they also have a kids day out there for 1-3yr olds just down the hall from the preschoolers. Very friendly christian school. They have a MOPS program there too. We attend Chesterfield Community Churh (So. Baptist) on Olive/Ladue road. Has lot of family activies & fairly laid back atmostphere-contemp.music.

We live in the Parkway School District which is really great. My daughter goes to Ross Elem. & she loves it! Homey friendly atmosphere. We had checked out some private schools in the area but we loved the public better??? They were so nice!

Our pedia doctor is down the street on Ballas/Olive area- ESSE HEALTH - Dr.Hartenbach.We really like him - they have an on call nurse all day to answer any questions -they do not have a sick/well room which is a drag. We have used the Pedia Urgent Care on Clarkson & Baxter area-near toys r us.

My OB is Blase Pignotti- at St. Johns Hospital. near 270 /40 hwy. Can't say enough about him.

Manchester road has a TON of stores on it-and is a pretty long stretch of road. It can be a lil congested sometimes with lights at every intersection so we rarely make it down there- we do drive to the "Valley" (West on 40 hwy-at boones crossing exit) & they have a large strip of stores there like on manchester road.

Chesterfield Mall is at 40 hwy & Clarkson Road.

PS: Olive Blvd (also known has 340 hwy)turns into Clarkson Road after 40 hwy mark- when you are driving TOWARD Manchester Road.

PSS: you can find a really good pull out map in the Southwestern Bell yellow pages.

GOOD LUCK!! :-)

I moved to St. Louis from TN 2 1/2 years ago, and I love it. Chesterfield is a nice area. We are buying a house in the Maryland Heights area, which north of where you are talking about. Parkway school district has a very good reputation. One nice thing about St. Louis is that there are a lot of free or low-cost things to do with kids. The Science Center downtown is one fo our favorites, along with the zoo. Both have no cost for admission. They do charge for parking, but if you're willing to do a little walking, you can park for free outside the main lot at either place. I hope you enjoy it H..
T.

Hey I am the co-coordinater of MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) in Ballwin at Ballwin Baptist Church. We meet the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month from 9:15-11:30AM. We would love to have you come check us out and meet some new friends. You can email me at ____@____.com and I can help you out with whatever info you would like. H. is a little bit of helpful info: There are three main grocery stores: Schnucks, Shop n Save and Dierbergs. I mostly shop at Schnucks as I feel their prices are fair and they have great produce. Shop n Save has cheap prices but their produce isn't always great. Dierbergs has a lot of speciality foods, for special dietary needs. There are a few others of course like Trader Joe's and Aldi's. There are two malls close by. West County Mall is on Manchester Rd by 270. It has a great food court and lots of great shops. (I enjoy this mall because the play area is more enclosed, whereas the other mall (Chesterfield) has three excapes) Chesterfield Mall is close to what you will hear people call "The Valley." It's a nice mall and if you like Old Navy...that is where you will want to go! They also have a Cheesecake Factory, Disney store, and Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn kids! Since your hubby will be in the Chesterfield area, you must check out "The Valley" as there is EVERYTHING out there! (Well except for groceries, and I think Walmart is working on that) Please e-mail me and I can give you my home number and perhaps we can meet up for a play date. I have 2 kids a 2.5 yr old and an 8 month old.

I live in North County and my pediatrician is also in North County.....her name is Isabel Rosenbloom and we love her. My kids are now 15 and 16 yo and I could never go to another (and they are not wanting to leave either)! In any case, she's in the DePaul Medical Building with TOTS TO TEENS. There are a couple other docs in that group but I've always loved a female doctor. She's never rushed with you and has always been A-One. What I love most about her is she has sunday hours. Very helpful for a working mom!

Hi,
I Just recieved your email and would like to help if you still need it. I have lived H. all my life and it is a fantastic place! I am a stay at home mom with a 5 year old boy and a 15 month old girl. Let me know if we can talk some more!