Welcome to Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Barnes-Jewish Hospital is the largest hospital in Missouri and one of the premier academic medical centers in the United States. Located in the heart of St. Louis's Central West End neighborhood, overlooking the largest city park in the United States, Forest Park, Barnes-Jewish serves as the primary teaching hospital for Washington University School of Medicine and attracts physicians, residents, fellows, nurses, researchers, and healthcare professionals from around the world.

Whether you are relocating to St. Louis for medical school, residency, fellowship training, a new attending position, or a healthcare leadership role, understanding the housing market, neighborhoods, commute times, and local resources can make your transition significantly smoother.

This guide is designed to help you compare communities, understand commute patterns, explore housing options, and determine which St. Louis neighborhood best fits your lifestyle and career goals.

About Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Barnes-Jewish Hospital is located within the Central West End. The hospital serves as a major referral center throughout Missouri, Illinois, and the Midwest and is nationally recognized across numerous specialties.

The surrounding medical campus includes:

• Barnes-Jewish Hospital
• St. Louis Children's Hospital
• Washington University School of Medicine
• Siteman Cancer Center
• BJC Healthcare Headquarters

For many physicians and healthcare professionals, location becomes one of the most important housing decisions due to call schedules, commute requirements, family considerations, and school district preferences.

Live Near Your Work Program

One of the most unique benefits available to many Barnes-Jewish and Washington University employees is the Live Near Your Work Program.

The program provides qualifying employees with forgivable financial assistance toward the purchase of a home in designated neighborhoods surrounding the medical campus.

Benefits may include:

• Down payment assistance
• Closing cost assistance
• Forgivable loan programs
• Incentives for purchasing within designated neighborhoods

Program eligibility, funding availability, and neighborhood boundaries may change over time. Contact Zoe Taylor for current availability and eligibility. 

Visit their website here: Live Near Your Work Program

Most Popular Neighborhoods for Barnes-Jewish Employees

While every relocation is unique, several communities consistently stand out among physicians, residents, fellows, nurses, and healthcare professionals.

Central West End

The Central West End offers the shortest commute and the most walkable lifestyle in St. Louis.

Highlights include:

• Walking distance to Barnes-Jewish Hospital
• Restaurants and nightlife
• Luxury condominiums
• Historic architecture
• Forest Park access

Ideal for:

• Residents
• Fellows
• Young attendings
• Medical students

Clayton

Clayton combines a short commute with luxury housing, excellent schools, and a vibrant business district.

Highlights include:

• 5-10 minute commute to Barnes
• Luxury homes and condos
• Top-rated schools
• Walkable downtown

Ideal for:

• Attendings
• Physician executives
• Families

Richmond Heights

Richmond Heights offers excellent value, central location, and quick access to both Barnes-Jewish Hospital and downtown Clayton.

Highlights include:

• Convenient commute
• Strong housing inventory
• Shopping and amenities
• Family-friendly neighborhoods

Webster Groves

Webster Groves remains one of the most sought-after communities among physician families.

Highlights include:

• Historic homes
• Strong community feel
• Excellent schools
• Charming downtown district

Typical commute: 15-20 minutes

Kirkwood

Kirkwood is consistently one of the most requested communities among relocating physician families.

Highlights include:

• Highly regarded schools
• Walkable downtown
• Family-oriented atmosphere
• Strong property values

Typical commute: 15-25 minutes

University City

University City provides convenient access to both Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University.

Highlights include:

• Historic architecture
• Diverse housing options
• Walkability
• University proximity

Commute Comparison

Housing by Career Stage

Medical Students

The vast majority of medical students rent. Most medical students prioritize affordability, proximity to campus, and flexibility.

Popular areas include:

• Central West End
• Skinker DeBaliviere
• University City
• Richmond Heights
• The Grove
• Dogtown

Residents and Fellows

About 1 in 4 WashU residents purchase a home during training. St. Louis is one of the few major academic medical centers where buying can make financial sense for some trainees. Residents in longer programs, dual-income households, and those considering staying in St. Louis after training are much more likely to purchase than residents in short programs or uncertain future locations.

Popular areas include:

• Central West End
• Forest Park Southwest (The Grove)
• Tower Grove South
• Shaw
• Dogtown
• Clayton
• Richmond Heights
• Maplewood
• Shrewsbury
• University City
• South Hampton
• North Hampton
• Lindenwood Park

[LINK: Resident Relocation Guide]

Attendings

Unlike residents and fellows who are often balancing physician loan limits and shorter training timelines, attending physicians frequently purchase with a longer-term perspective. Many attending buyers relocating to Barnes-Jewish Hospital purchase homes between $500,000 and $1.3 million, though budgets vary significantly based on specialty, dual-income households, student loan repayment strategies, family size, and overall financial goals.

School districts, commute times, lot size, home office space, neighborhood amenities, and long-term appreciation potential often become higher priorities during this stage of a physician's career. Some attendings prioritize walkability and proximity to the medical campus, while others choose larger homes and highly rated school districts in the suburbs, accepting a longer commute in exchange for additional space and lifestyle amenities.

Popular communities include:

• Webster Groves
• Kirkwood
• Clayton
• Chesterfield
• Creve Coeur
• Frontenac
• Ladue

Many Barnes-Jewish attending physicians also explore nearby luxury communities such as Town & Country, Des Peres, and Huntleigh, particularly when seeking larger homes, private lots, or access to some of the region's most sought-after school districts.

School District & Private School Considerations

For physician families relocating with children, both public school districts and private school options often play a significant role in determining where to live.

Frequently Requested Public School Districts

• Clayton School District
• Ladue School District
• Kirkwood School District
• Webster Groves School District
• Rockwood School District

Frequently Requested Private Schools

Independent / College Preparatory

• John Burroughs School
• MICDS (Mary Institute & Saint Louis Country Day School)
• Whitfield School
• Forsyth School (Pre-K–6)

Catholic Schools

• St. Joseph's Academy
• Chaminade College Preparatory School
• Visitation Academy
• Villa Duchesne & Oak Hill School
• SLUH (St. Louis University High School)

Other Private Options

• Community School
• Principia School
• Rossman School

Common Questions We Help Families Navigate

• Public vs. private school considerations
• District boundaries and attendance zones
• Tuition and application timelines
• School commute considerations relative to hospital locations
• Preschool and daycare availability
• Gifted programs and specialty education options

[LINK: St. Louis School District Guide]

[LINK: St. Louis Private School Guide]

Physician Loan Resources

Physicians often qualify for financing options unavailable to traditional borrowers, but not all physician mortgage programs are created equal. Differences in student loan treatment, future contract qualification, credit score requirements, PMI waivers, visa considerations, and variable income underwriting can dramatically impact purchasing power. Understanding which lenders excel in specific situations is often just as important as finding the right loan product.

Topics We Help Physician Families Navigate

• Physician mortgage programs and lender selection
• 0% down and low down payment financing options
• 100% financing up to $1.5 million with no PMI (for qualified borrowers)
• Future employment contract qualification
• Residency and fellowship home purchases
• Student loan treatment and debt-to-income calculations
• Moonlighting, locums, bonus, and variable income qualification
• Credit score optimization and lender-specific underwriting guidelines
• International physician visa and citizenship considerations
• Physician loan versus conventional loan comparisons
• Home purchases during attending transitions
• Simultaneous relocation and home sale coordination

How Zoe Taylor Helps Physician Families

Over the years, we've built relationships with physician-focused lenders and have helped medical students, residents, fellows, attending physicians, and international physicians navigate financing scenarios such as:

• Using the higher credit score of two borrowers
• Purchasing on an employment contract before starting work
• Qualifying with moonlighting or locums income
• Navigating H-1B and J-1 visa considerations
• Finding lenders offering 100% financing with no PMI
• Understanding how different lenders evaluate student loan debt

[LINK: Physician Loan Guide]

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do Barnes-Jewish residents live?

Most residents live in the Central West End, The Grove, Tower Grove, University City, or Richmond Heights.

Is Central West End walkable to Barnes-Jewish Hospital?

Yes. Many employees walk or bike to campus from the Central West End.

Should I rent or buy during residency?

The answer depends on training length, anticipated career and family plans, and financial goals.

What neighborhoods are most popular with Barnes attendings?

Webster Groves, Kirkwood, Clayton, Chesterfield, Creve Coeur, Frontenac, and Ladue consistently rank among the most popular choices.