St. Louis is a good example of a vibrant city. Having stayed in a hotel in 2011 overlooking Cardinals stadium when they won the World Series, their fans definitely show up loud and proud. -Brad Feld
Here in St. Louis, one of the first things that’s often boasted about is how much you can do without reaching into your wallet. While other cities, big and small, make you cough up a solid chunk of cash to enjoy their finer amenities, places like the St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Zoo, Missouri History Museum, St. Louis Science Center, and more are all available for free, not to mention the abundance of public parks, such as the famous Forest Park, all available within city limits. St. Louis is also known as a “20 minute city” for how convenient it is to get around, with all of these amenities just a short drive or Metrolink trip away.
Here's a list of pros from a local about what's good in St. Louis:
- low cost of living
- great restaurant scene
- good arts and music scene
- great beer scene
- lots of things to do, and places to go, zoo, science, museums, parks
- Missouri has lots of camping/hiking/boating
- easy access to Kansas city, Chicago, and Nashville!
For more reviews of what living in St. Louis is like from locals check out: The Buzz
While those who live here have an insane amount of pride for their hometown, St. Louis is unfortunately rated one of the worst run cities and worst cities in the country to live in. Violent crime rates? Always near the highest in the nation. Poverty? Almost a quarter of residents live below the poverty line. Population growth? Nonexistent. People are leaving St. Louis quicker than they’re coming in. Conditions certainly vary by neighborhood like they do in most cities, but there are an unfortunate number of different directions you could go with this one.
Here's the pov from a local:
Weather: In the summer -- hotter, more humid & air more ozone-lazen than that found in all seven layers of Hell. That's why air conditioning in STL is not an option; it's a necessity as much as heat is in Minneapolis
Winters can be a pain because STL is often in the border area between snow to the north & rain to the south. That means ICE, which you can't do a flipping thing with (no sledding, skiing, curling, etc.) Major snowstorms cause life to come to a standstill for days due to lack of people and proper equipment to get out there and remove it quickly; therefore owning a 4-wheel-drive vehicle is advantageous, especially in the city itself, where side streets and alleys don’t get plowed at all.
Politics: Conservative, segregated and very Catholic, especially in the southern suburbs.
St Louis has a lot of qualities of other midwestern cities. Early industrial wealth was used to build cultural institutions: symphony, ballet, museums etc. that sometimes surprise people who expect the cities to be lacking in performing arts and civic opportunities. Like some other midwestern cities with decent economies, plenty of people stay and that gives it an insular feel. There are incredible strengths here for families, posh and working class neighborhoods and great work/life balance respected by local employers. Much of the city energy is around city outer ring/suburban family life, mixed with social/cultural life and some younger professionals making it work downtown.
If you want to see what's happening in St. Louis check out the calendar of events: https://explorestlouis.com/events/
St. Louis has a lot more corporate headquarters than you’d think. There is a big, well-to-do professional class here that benefits from the fact things are still designed and manufactured here. While the emerging tech and service sector is just getting started you can feel how business and employees are staying or moving here to take advantage of the low cost of living and incredible infrastructure.
You should move to St. Louis due to those previously mentioned low prices. With a number of solid public schools in addition to the city's great local parks and free museums, St. Louis is seen as a steal for families given the price tag. Come check out the view from the arch and bring the kids to catch a Cardinals game with us in “The Gateway to the West.”
Central West End is ground zero for young professionals. It’s wedged between the stunning Forest Park and St. Louis University so you get incredible greenery and the energy of a great campus. It’s a foodie nirvana and there are tons of shopping boutiques, bookstores, cafes and live music throughout the neighborhood. Downtown is another great option. Short walk to work, all the big event destinations around the corner, tons of restaurants of nightlife options, and plenty of apartment/condo and loft options throughout the streets of the area.
Lafayette Square is an ideal neighborhood for singles and couples who want to skip the madness of downtown. Just a few blocks south but a world away from the condo/corporate scene, the Square is filled with quiet streets of beautiful Victorian homes and townhomes. Lafayette Park is at the center of the neighborhood. 30-acres of greenery for walking the doggo, going for a run or seeing a movie or music act at the outdoor festival space.
The Grove is the epicenter of LGBTQ+ nightlife in St. Louis. Cocktail bars, clubs, restaurants and music venues that are owned by and/or cater to the community. Central West End is the oldest LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhood, with a mix of the city's most active commercial district + LGBTQ-centric clubs and shopping run throughout the blocks. https://explorestlouis.com/discover/st-louis-lgbt/lgbt-friendly-neighborhoods/
St. Louis is filled with great neighborhoods for families with Southamption one of the most popular. Low crime, and great single-family homes with 2 and 4 family flats line the quiet blocks that are filled with trees and flower gardens. It has some of the best public schools in the city and also has an awesome main street with great eats (delis/burger joint) and pubs and just an overall powerful sense of community. Shaw is another great option. Close to Tower Grove Park and Forest Park so in addition to the great homes, recreation and schools you get the added benefit of the best and biggest parks in the city.
