Hello and I got your message. The best thing to do is to visit on line the city St. Louis. I was one time told when I lived near the beach about moving to call the police department on what areas were more crime infected that others. I would call around to different agencies to see what is the best area to live in. If you do not want public housing I would check craigslist.org and other free on line classifieds for places to rent.
I know it would be hard for me to move from this state to another without knowing someone in that state.
Wishing you the best
Starshine