Tirupati Farmers Market
The one-stop favourite
Spacious and well-organised: groceries, fresh produce, plus pooja items, mandirs and Indian cookware (tawas, cookers) — and a little café for ready-to-eat snacks.
One page, everything
All resources
The whole guide's practical half, stripped of the story — so you can scan, search and share a single link when someone asks where to buy atta.
Groceries
Indian & desi grocery stores
Seema Enterprises
Since 1984 · two locations
One of St. Louis's oldest South Asian stores. Deep Indian & Pakistani range — spices, lentils, sweets and ready-to-eat.
Bombay Bazar
Chesterfield
Family-run, big on fresh vegetables and authentic spices for everyday cooking.
Global Foods Market
Pan-Asian & huge
10,000+ items across Indian, East Asian and more — great when your recipe needs something unusual.
Mideast Market
Desi + Middle Eastern
Affordable fresh produce and a wide South Asian range, serving the area for decades.
Also worth a trip
Jay International · Desi Bazaar
More desi staples across town — and Desi Bazaar sits next to an Indian bakery, Signature India, for when you need mithai.
Eating out
Where to eat (near campus & the Loop)
Turmeric
6679 Delmar Blvd, University City
Right by the Loop and popular with WashU students — dosas, uthappam and South Indian dishes, comfy for group dinners and watching a match.
House of India
8501 Delmar Blvd
A long-loved buffet — huge spread, lots of veg options, easy on a student budget.
Gokul
Delmar Loop · vegetarian
Beloved vegetarian spot in the heart of the Loop — a reliable, tasty walk from campus.
Gol Bowl
6227 Delmar Blvd (Loop)
Modern, fast-casual Indian (with Thai and halal options) — quick, fresh bowls between classes.
India Rasoi
Classic North Indian
Solid curries, biryani and naan when you want the familiar, done well.
Himalayan Yeti
Nepali & Indian
Momos and mountain flavours for when you want something a little different.
Housing
Where WashU grads live
University City & The Loop
Most popular · walkable · ~10 min to campus
The unofficial student HQ. Diverse, lively, packed with food and shops along Delmar. Eastern U-City tends to be the most affordable; the Hanley–Delmar side is quieter and family-friendly.
Clayton (Moorlands, DeMun)
Upscale · very safe · adjacent to campus
Leafy, polished, and a short walk or bike from Olin. A bit pricier, with a walkable business district and easy MetroLink access at Clayton and Forsyth.
Central West End (CWE)
Lively · near the Med campus & Forest Park
Trendy restaurants and historic streets right by Forest Park. Great vibe; commute to Danforth is a quick MetroLink ride or bus.
DeBaliviere & Skinker–DeBaliviere
Quiet · great value · one stop to campus
Homey and often cheaper for the space, with a MetroLink stop that drops you on campus in about a minute. A favourite for value hunters.
Maplewood & Richmond Heights
More space for your money
A little further out but budget-friendly, with plenty of shopping and easy driving/transit access. Good if you're prioritising rent and square footage.
How to search
Start here
WashU's OISS off-campus resources, plus Quadrangle, Proximity, Parallel Properties, Uloop and Trulia. Ask the group — seniors often pass on leases and know which buildings to avoid.
Admin
Getting your life running
The free Metro U-Pass
As a full-time student you're eligible for a free, unlimited Metro U-Pass — MetroLink light rail and MetroBus across St. Louis. Register each semester and ride with your student ID. Between that, WashU's free shuttles/Campus Circulator, and a bike, most people don't need a car early on.
Open a US bank account
Set up a checking account soon after arriving (common choices include Bank of America, Chase, US Bank, and local Commerce Bank). Get a debit card, then start building US credit with a student or secured credit card — it matters more here than you'd expect.
Social Security Number (SSN)
You'll typically need an SSN once you have a job offer (an on-campus role counts). Apply at a Social Security office with your passport, I-20, I-94 and offer letter. No job yet? You can wait — you don't need it just to arrive.
Utilities, internet & a phone plan
Sort electricity/gas (often Ameren) and home internet (Spectrum/AT&T are common) when you move in. Move your prepaid SIM to a proper monthly plan once you know your usage.
A place to celebrate & pray
The Hindu Temple of St. Louis in Ballwin (725 Weidman Rd, ~30 minutes west) is the community's hub — festivals, a cultural center and even a cafeteria. Greater St. Louis also has mosques, gurudwaras and churches across denominations. Ask in the group and someone will point you to the right community and carpool.
You won't cook alone
Grocery runs are a group sport here — carpools to the desi store, split bulk orders, shared Sunday cooking. If you've never made dal in your life, don't worry: someone will teach you, and you'll be feeding the next batch before you know it.
Looking for the full story — packing lists, your first 48 hours, the weather?Read the whole guide →