Utilities: the perennial downside to independence. If this is your first time living on your own in an apartment, you’re going to have to figure out how to keep your place lit, heated, and connected. If given the choice, make sure you shop around for internet and cell service to take advantage of their best offers.
Internet
Depending on what apartment building you live in, you may or may not have choices for your internet provider. Both AT&T U-Verse and Charter Spectrum are available in the CWE, but some apartment complexes have exclusive group rates that force your hand one way or the other. If you’re looking for customer service, good luck. Generally, AT&T U-Verse will be a little cheaper if you don’t bundle, but has slower speeds of 3-6 megabits/second vs Charter’s 30 megabits/second. I have had no problem streaming high-definition Netflix on U-Verse. To get the best deals on either, you’ll probably need to sign a 6-months, 12-month, or 24-month contract, so most people sign a contract that lines up with their apartment lease.
Cable Service (Charter Communications)
(888) 438-2427
Cable Service (AT&T Cable Services)
(800) 288-2020
A quick piece of advice: if you want to be sure you’re getting the best deal, never commit during your first phone call with a company representative. The ability to walk away and wait for them to call you back could save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.
Cable
If you decide you’re a cable TV kind of person, you again have a few options. Charter and AT&T U-verse are both options, but one may have an exclusive deal with your apartment complex. If you own you own place of have access to the roof of a rental property, both Dish and DirecTV are available, and are often cheaper than their wire-bound counterparts. Again; make the companies call you back, and you could save big.
Cell Service
Cell service in these old buildings is crap, and people are constantly arguing as to what carrier gets the best service, but without rigorous testing it is all postulation.
Electricity/Gas
As with most municipalities, both gas and electric are state-regulated monopolies in the St. Louis area. For electric, we have Ameren Missouri. For gas, we have Laclede gas. Some apartments include electricity as part of rent, but most require you to cover those utilities separately.
Electricity (AmerenUE)
(314) 342-1111,or (800) 552-7583
Gas, if needed (Laclede Gas Company)
(314) 652-1847 or (800) 887-4173
Water/Trash/Sewage
These utilities are almost always included in rent or condo association fees. Consequently, you don’t really have to worry about them. Most large apartment complexes have an in-building trash depository, often on every floor.