Meet Me in St. Louis: Live
Southwest's Spirit Magazine
June 2010
Looking for tree-lined streets? High-rise condos with views of the Mississippi and the Gateway Arch? Family-owned groceries and cozy neighborhood bars? All those and more are available in St. Louis, a sprawling city where a network of central roadways will take you from point A to point B in about 20 minutes, no matter where you start.
Even better, greater St. Louis has the lowest cost of living among the nation's 20 largest metropolitan areas. "I like to say we are a big vibrant city without a big expensive price tag," says Francis Slay, mayor of the City of St. Louis. "Visitors -- and residents -- get more for their money here without sacrificing any amenities."
As St. Louis County Executive, Charlie Dooley handles 91 municipalities ranging in population from 81 (Country Life Acres) to 50,497 (Florissant) -- all spread out over 524 square miles. Dooley notes that real estate is the real deal: "A house that goes for $150,000 here will cost maybe $300,000 on either coast."
In addition to the low cost of living, residents also enjoy a high quality of life. "In April, Relocate America rated St. Louis as one of the best regions in the country to relocate to, for people and companies," says Dick Fleming, president and CEO of the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association. "Here, people live where they work."
Empty-nesters and young professionals are contributing to the revival of downtown, where more than $4.5 billion has been invested over the past decade in projects such as the Syndicate, a mix of condos, apartments, and first-floor retail space. "By 2020, our goal is to have 20,000 people living downtown," says Kevin Farrell, senior director of economic and housing development for Partnership for Downtown St. Louis. "Our success to date reflects the trend to move back into cities [with 12,500 people living downtown]. People like the convenience of the urban lifestyle."
They like to live where they play, too. Just north of St. Louis University, the Grand Center district bustles with arts and entertainment. It's home to 12,000 theater seats -- within four blocks -- and a dozen galleries and museums. Reside in the middle of Grand Center at University Plaza Apartments, located in a renovated 1918 building.
Every neighborhood, whether in the city proper or in the suburbs, has its own personality. Just a few blocks south of downtown, the Cherokee Street neighborhood is an eclectic blend of antiques shops and taquerias. Rehabbers will find historic Victorians, row houses, and bungalows in Soulard, Lafayette Square, Benton Park, and Old North St. Louis -- all on the outskirts of downtown. The Tower Grove area surrounds Tower Grove Park and the Missouri Botanical Garden, and it's close to the restaurants and nightlife in the South Grand district.
On the western edge of St. Louis, tidy houses, Italian restaurants, and bakeries line the narrow streets on the Hill. The Central West End attracts neo-Bohemians to its Cathedral Basilica, Forest Park, and Muny Opera Outdoor Theatre. Northwest of downtown, African-Americans settled the historic Ville neighborhood before the Civil War. And south St. Louis, with its dense population, offers sturdy housing stock amid lovely parks.
Outside the city, small, independent restaurants thrive in Maplewood's business district; the entertainment district in University City offers live music venues, shops, and restaurants. Peace and quiet set the pace in Kirkwood and Webster Groves, while nearby Richmond Heights boasts the Saint Louis Galleria, a mall that's just across from The Boulevard, a mix of luxury condos, shops, and restaurants. Clayton (the county seat of St. Louis County, and a major business hub), Ladue, and Frontenac all are upscale suburbs. Frontenac is also home to serious shopping -- Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Tiffany and Co.
To the west, Creve Coeur and Chesterfield are large suburban areas that attract families to developments such as Chesterfield Village, a 1,500-acre master-planned community. Farther north, neighboring St. Charles County towns such as O'Fallon and St. Charles offer plenty of residential options.
But no matter where you live in greater St. Louis, you're never too far from the action.
