Moving to St. Louis, Missouri – the Good Guide

St. Louis is situated on the bank of the Mississippi River, which separates Missouri from the State of Illinois. The city has a population of slightly above 300 000 people and the metro area has a population of almost 3 million people.

The city was founded by the fur traders Auguste Chouteau and Pierre Laclède in 1764 and was named after the French king Louis IX.

During the years the city had its failures and its triumphs, and now it has evolved into a significant river port and business center home to a few Fortune 500 companies.

You may also like to read: How to Decide Where to Move. In this guide, we suggest things to take into consideration when deciding where to live next.

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Why Move to St. Louis?

St. Louis, Missouri, often referred to as the “Gateway to the West,” is a city rich in history, culture, and opportunity.

Whether you’re looking for affordability, vibrant city life, or a family-friendly environment, St. Louis has something for everyone.

Read on to find out why St. Louis is such a great place to live.

1. Affordable Cost of Living

St. Louis has a low cost of living compared to other major cities in the U.S.

Housing costs are significantly lower than in cities like Chicago or Los Angeles. According to recent data, the median home price in St. Louis is well below the national average.

In addition to housing, other expenses like transportation, groceries, and entertainment are also quite reasonable.

St. Louis offers a cost-effective lifestyle without sacrificing the amenities and conveniences of a larger city.

2. Rich Cultural and Recreational Opportunities

St. Louis is a city that knows how to entertain.

From world-class museums to professional sports teams, there’s always something exciting happening.

The city is home to the St. Louis Cardinals (MLB) and the St. Louis Blues (NHL), offering year-round sports excitement.

In addition, there’s Forest Park, a massive urban park that’s even larger than New York’s Central Park. Within its grounds, you’ll find the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Missouri History Museum, and the St. Louis Zoo—many of which offer free admission!

Music lovers will appreciate the city’s vibrant live music scene, especially its rich history of blues, jazz, and rock ‘n’ roll.

The city’s theater district and numerous festivals—such as the famous Taste of St. Louis—further add to the cultural vibrancy.

3. Family-Friendly Atmosphere

St. Louis is consistently ranked as one of the best cities in the U.S. for families.

The city offers top-notch schools, affordable housing in safe, suburban neighborhoods, and countless family-friendly attractions.

The Magic House, City Museum, and the St. Louis Science Center are just a few examples of places where families can spend quality time together.

In addition, the city has a strong sense of community, with many family-oriented festivals, farmer’s markets, and community events throughout the year

Climate

Missouri has a continental climate.

In winter, the dry-cold air masses from Canada are responsible for the reasonably humid air, snowfall, and rainfall.

In summer, moist, warm air masses, swing from the Gulf of Mexico and produce great amounts of rain. Spring and fall are transitional seasons.

In the summer, temperatures rise to 100° F, and in winter there is an average of about 110 days with temperatures below 32° F.

Some extreme climatic events such as high-intensity rains, ice storms, windstorms, and tornadoes occur once in a while.

You may also like to read: Where to Move to Avoid Climate Change. In this guide, we share the best places to live to avoid climate change.

Economy

The St. Louis metro area is said to account for about 45 percent of all the economic activity in Missouri. 

St. Louis is home to some Fortune 500 companies – Express Scripts (health care and pharmacy), Emerson Electric (electronics), Centene (insurance), Peabody Energy (mining and crude oil production), and Ameren (gas and electric).

According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the St. Louis metro area has a Gross Domestic Product of $145.9 billion. The private sector industries that have contributed to the GDP the most are Manufacturing, Financial Services, and Education & Health Care.

As reported by Economy.com, some of the economy’s strengths are its highly diverse industrial structure, the favorable business and living costs, and the city’s strategic location near major highways and the Mississippi River.

Louis has one the lowest cost of living compared to other Midwest cities and 11.1 percent less than the U.S. average.

That low cost of living gives the city the highest “real” income of $47,610 compared to Kansas City ($45,802), Nashville ($45,582) and Indianapolis ($42,767).

You may also like to read: The Ultimate Guide to Relocating for a Job. If you are thinking of moving to St.Louis because of work then you will find this guide invaluable.

Moving to the St. Louis Suburbs

There are 79 different neighborhoods and each one has its own distinctive charm.

Downtown is really the heart of the city. It is not only a business hub but a focal point when it comes to recreation and tourism. It’s perfect for you if you would like to be in a live-work-play community.

Ladue, Clayton, Central West End (CWE) are for those who seek luxury. These affluent neighborhoods offer some of the most desirable and pricey properties. CWE is a chic neighborhood with cobblestone streets, Victorian homes, and high-rise apartment buildings that are located near many commercial venues.

If you are looking for a rental, you should scout Soulard and, University City.

First-time home buyers should scope Southampton out. This locale is a hip neighborhood suitable for young couples and families. It’s conveniently located near Missouri Botanical Garden, Forest Park, and Grant’s Farm.

South Grand and the nearby blocks are a real melting pot. These are the most ethnically diverse areas.  

The largest Bosnian population outside Europe resides in Bevo and Benton Park West has a large Latino community.

The Hill is a famous Italian-American suburb home to many renowned restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores.

If you are looking for some “green” neighborhoods, then look for a home at Forest Park Southeast, St. Peters, and St. Charles.

Lake Saint Louis has two lakes that are open to residents, offering water sports and other outdoor activities.

Wildwood is near some great hiking and biking trails, with Castlewood State Park, Route 66 State Park, and Babler Memorial State Park located conveniently nearby.

You may also like to read: Moving to the Suburbs. In this guide, we share the pros and cons of moving to the suburbs.

Transportation

Buses: Greyhound Lines performs 16,000 bus departures on a daily basis to 3,100 destinations in the United States and Canada.
Railroads: BNSF Railway and Amtrak both serve the city.
Public Transportation: MetroLink and MetroBus can help you navigate easily within the city.
Airports: Lambert-St. Louis International Airport provides fast access to the city.

Utilities

• Gas: Laclede Gas Company
• Electric: AmerenUE
• Water: City of St. Louis Water Division
• Telephone: AT&T
• Trash & Recycling: City of St. Louis Department of Streets
• Wastewater and stormwater management: Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District
• Satellite: DIRECTV
• Cable/Internet: Charter Communications

Education

There are some excellent schools, colleges, and universities for students to attend after moving to St. Louis.

Elementary Schools: Kennard Classical Junior Academy, Elias Michael Elementary School, Sappington Elementary and Truman Elementary are some of the great elementary schools in the area.

High Schools: Some of the best high schools include Metro High, McKinley Classical Leadership Academy, and Lindbergh Senior High.

Higher Education: College students can choose from several higher educational institutions including the University of Missouri–St. Louis, St. Louis University, Washington University in St. Louis, Ranken Technical College, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, and St. Louis Community College.

You may also like to read: Moving House and Changing Schools. In this guide, we explain how to find the best schools when moving to a new place.

Тhe Fun Corner

• The Gateway Arch
  The Gateway Arch is a 630-foot tall monument, the tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere, and the world’s tallest arch. It was built as a symbol of the westward expansion of the United States. The Arch is actually the highlight of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial and has become a worldwide famous symbol of St. Louis.
• Missouri Botanical Garden
  The Missouri Botanical Garden was established in 1859 and spans over 79 acres – one of the oldest public gardens. It has 25 demonstration gardens within the Kemper Center for Home Gardening, a Chinese Garden, Boxwood Garden, and an expanded Victorian garden complete with a topiary maze and observatory. In addition to the re-created tropical rain forest housed within the Climatron geodesic dome, MBG includes an English Woodland garden and the largest traditional Japanese Garden in North America.
• Missouri History Museum
  In the museum, you’ll see artifacts from Colonial St. Louis, the Lewis & Clark expedition, the Civil War, and the opening of the American West. There are galleries that feature icons like “Lucky Lindy,” Miles Davis, and Tennessee Williams. “Seeking St. Louis” tells the region’s story with cutting-edge displays and exciting interactive exhibitions with thousands of artifacts.
• Saint Louis Zoo
  The St. Louis Zoo is home to more than 18,000 exotic animals, many of which are rare and endangered species. Set in the rolling hills, lakes, and glades of Forest Park, the Saint Louis Zoo is always a great place to have fun.
• Route 66
  St. Louis is the largest city along Route 66 between Chicago and Los Angeles, and there are several sites related to the Mother Road within the area. Some of the streets have new names, but all of these locations are part of the Route 66 journey. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, Wayside Motel, The Museum of Transportation, and the Route 66 State Park are must-see.

Good luck with your move and be sure to check out our home moving blog which is packed with advice to make your home move easier, cheaper, and safer.