Apartments for Rent in University City, MO - 86 Rentals available

University City, Missouri is a suburban community located just 10 miles northwest of St. Louis, covering less than 6 square miles, with a population of 35, 371 according to the 2010 U.S. Census. Being just outside St. Louis, the city has a relatively central location—it’s only 240 miles to Kansas City and 300 miles to Chicago. A flight from St. Louis’ Lambert International Airport to San Francisco is 3 hours and 40 minutes and to New York City just 2 hours and 25 minutes. The University City weather is what you would expect in the St. Louis and Mississippi valley area. Summers are rather warm and humid with average temperatures in the mid-to-upper 80s, though winter months are rather temperate with an average around 40°F with less than 20 inches of snowfall. Apparently, the weather isn’t much of a factor in that Forbes Magazine recently ranked the St. Louis area as the happiest city for college grads.

The cost of living is very reasonable in the St. Louis area, at 70.75% of what it would cost to live in New York City. University City is served by the St. Louis public transportation system that provides bus and rail service throughout the metropolitan area at a rate of $2.00 and $2.50, respectively. A 50% discount is offered for seniors and people with disabilities. Both taxi companies and Uber serve the St. Louis area where rates average $3.00 to flag and $1.00 per additional mile for taxis. Uber fares vary by distance and time of day. Eating out at an inexpensive restaurant in University City averages $10 and around $50 in a more expensive establishment. Utility costs in University City for a 900-square-foot apartment average $145 per month and the cost of the average monthly Internet bill is $46.

University City’s name reflects the city’s proximity to Washington University, located on its southern border, which has a direct impact on the city’s culture. Considering that University City’s population is only 35,000 people, it still offers a thriving nightlife scene. This is evidenced by the fact that the Delmar Loop, the city’s entertainment, cultural, and dining district sits a mere ½ mile north of the university. Being located adjacent to the St. Louis city limits also places University City within close proximity to all that its larger neighbor offers, while retaining its small town atmosphere. Yet, it’s not without diversity in that African-Americans, Latinos, Asians and other ethnicities make up 50% of the city’s population.

According to the 2015 Urban Mobility Study, the St. Louis area did quite well, ranking far down the scale in all aspects of congestion when it comes to commuting by car. However, despite the fact that University City benefits from a good St. Louis area public transportation system, one really needs a car to get around conveniently. If there are negatives to life here, it may be that a car is a must to get around.

Despite being a somewhat small suburban town, University City certainly has its share of activities. There is definitely no shortage of parks—the largest being Heman Park covering over 85 acres in the middle of the city. It has a swimming pool and the University City swim club, 9 baseball diamonds, 4 soccer fields, 8 tennis courts, basketball courts, a 1 ½ mile running path, a large playground and picnic area, and much more! For culture and entertainment there’s the Delmar Loop, with its unique collection of specialty shops, music venues, and art galleries, not to mention the University City library, with its collection of over 150,000 books, and the University City movie theater—The Landmark Theater Tivoli—showing new releases, independent, and foreign films. Just 3 miles southwest of the Loop is the St. Louis Galleria, with over 150 stores and great places to eat. There’s also the International District along Olive Boulevard, with more than 100 diverse restaurants, ethnic grocery stores, and year-round events, and the unique Melting Pot fondue restaurant. Finally, one would be remiss in not mentioning the Center of Creative Arts—a non-profit arts center and leader in innovative arts education.

The economy in University City is directly impacted by the economic conditions of the adjacent St. Louis, and it looks quite healthy. The unemployment rate has plummeted from 6.8% in April of 2015 to 4.9% in June of 2016. Though University City employers are primarily small businesses, there are major employers in the public sector—University City School District, police and fire departments, and city government. A number of major banks also maintain branches and offices in University City such as Commerce Bank and Royal Banks of Missouri.

The University City school district has provided a strong academic foundation for over 100 years, having been organized not long after the city was incorporated in 1906. Today, the district serves nearly 3,200 students in its pre-school, elementary and middle schools, and the University City High School.  The district operates under a Comprehensive School Improvement Plan that includes goals, strategies and action steps needed to achieve the district’s overall mission in the University City schools to “Transform the life of every student every day.” In addition, one of the nation’s premier universities, Washington University, is located at the edge of the city.

Those looking for University City apartments can take solace in knowing that all University City housing is covered under the State of Missouri Landlord and Tenant Act, which gives tenants the right to habitable property before moving in. Landlords are required to make repairs due to ordinary wear and tear, refrain from turning off a tenant’s water and utilities, provide written notice to tenants when ownership of the property is transferred, and to not discriminate.