<<<<I didn't see an intro forum and North City is what I am interested in so I posted here. Sorry if it is the wrong place.>>>>



I stumbled upon this forum a few days ago and my account was recently activated, so now I am posting.



My wife and I are interested in the happening in North City, specificly surrounding North Market Place. We have looked at the new homes they are building, but are more interested in the older homes that are already there. From the few times I have been down there, I can see that most are in some state of disaray. But with the initial purchase price rather low, and the tax incentives, we were thinking we could possibly rehab one of the older homes. The only thing that is making us think twice is the school situation. Our daughter will be going to kindergarder next year, and we don't feel the school system is up to par in the city (and alot of the county). I know of the New City School but that is very expensive. Just curious if anyone else lives near the area, and if they have children in any of the surrounding schools? We have a tour with ONSL on Nov 20th, and a meeting with someone who speciallizes in rehab mortgages and what not. I love St. Louis and I feel that moving in North City would make me love it that much more.

I lived in ONSL for 3 1/2 years and although I had no children my neighbor did. He sent his kids to magnet schools(Gateway for a while and Kennard). I think the key is to get your daughter on the lottery list so that she may be selected for one.



Here is a link for the magnet schools application:



http://www.slps.org/school/elementary_2.htm



I know there is also the Confluence academy at 14th and Branch. I heard nothing bad about it, but being private it probably going to be pricey.



The ONSL group will be a big help for you if you are looking on tackling a rehab project. The key with a rehab is that you must be very committed, it can be easy to flame out after a while. A lot of residents up there are very committed to helping the neighborhood, but there are also a lot of speculators(or one group that shall remain unnamed) that are buying up properites. Most of the neighbors are very helpful and will be more than willing to give advice should you choose to buy here. Good luck!

Check out www.eco-absence.org - a lot of information re: rehabbing in ONSL. Drop the authors an E-mail. Also, your property taxes will most likely be rediculously low and with only one child I would advocate sending her to New City School (or another private). In the end you're still ahead $-wise.

Don't forget to consider the Lutheran School system. Not sure of there are any in your potential new neighborhood, but it’s a good bet they are. We found them to be a academically strong and affordable alternative on the South Side.

I know there is also the Confluence academy at 14th and Branch. I heard nothing bad about it, but being private it probably going to be pricey.

It's a charter school, i.e., a public school -- and free.

Ihnen wrote:Check out www.eco-absence.org - a lot of information re: rehabbing in ONSL. Drop the authors an E-mail. Also, your property taxes will most likely be rediculously low and with only one child I would advocate sending her to New City School (or another private). In the end you're still ahead $-wise.

I have been to that site, it's on my book marks list. I fogot about the magnet scholls. My younger brother went to the school of performing arts for awhile. He seemed to like it until his drum teacher had to leave.



Sending one child to the New City School would be feasible, but we would like to have another in the next few years. At a cost of $12,000 a year the tax abdiment doesn't really make up for much. And the New City School requires that each family make a chartiable contribution to the school to help cover costs?!? I went to private school from kindergarden to 8th grade and my parents never had to do that.

Hi,



We have sent our daughter to New City School and she will be going to a magnet middle school next year. One thing I wanted to mention about New City is that they do not require charitable contributions (they request them, true, but do unerstand if you cannot give -- as has been the case with us most years). Also, they do offer financial aid if you meet their criteria. I agree that the problem gets exacerbated when you add a second child to the mix. I'd probably agree that the thing to do is to get into the lottery for the magnet schools and take it from there. People I know who sent their kids to several of the elementary school magnets were quite happy with the schools.



Hope this helps!