Living in St. Louis: Moving to The Gateway in The West
St. Louis is one of the most diverse cities in the United States, with a rich history stretching back more than a quarter of a century. Like many American cities, St. Louis passed through a period of urban decline towards the end of the twentieth century, with families leaving the city in search of fresh opportunities.
But today, the Gateway to the West is experiencing a wonderful revival, with a new emphasis on urban renewal and revitalizing the city and its surrounding communities. St. Louis is poised to welcome new residents from around the country and the globe. If the city of St. Louis is your next destination, here are a few tips to help your move go smoothly.
Average Cost of Living in St. Louis
It’s important to consider the financials when moving to a new city. Fortunately, if you’re moving to St. Louis, you’re in luck. That’s because the cost of living in St. Louis is about 10% lower than the cost of living in other major US cities. All of which makes the city a great place to settle down if you’re a young professional, or you’re looking to start a family.
To put it another way, a recent study by the Economic Policy Institute estimated that a family of two adults with two children living in St. Louis would need to make just under $80,000 a year to live comfortably, or around $6,600 a month.
Surrounding Areas of St. Louis to Live In
The city of St. Louis is made up of 79 distinct neighborhoods, meaning you’re almost guaranteed to find an area that you’ll fall in love with. Here are some popular areas and neighborhoods to check out:
- Home to the Gateway Arch and Busch Stadium, Downtown St. Louis is extremely walkable and boasts modern apartments, gorgeous architecture, and countless restaurants, pubs, and cafes.
- Looking for something a little less central? The suburbs of Florrissant and Chesterfield are both family-friendly areas where you can still have a lot of fun.
- Midtown St. Louis offers a great mix of modern design and visually stunning Victorian architecture — part of the reason it’s on the National Registry of Historic Places.
- The Skinker-DeBaliviere community is one of the oldest integrated communities in St. Louis and has a thriving cultural scene you won’t want to miss.
- The neighborhood of Lafayette Square has 30 acres of greenery and tons of fancy restaurants, lounges, and wine bars. Plus, it’s right next door to the downtown area.
- Soulard, one of 10 certified local historic districts in the city of St. Louis, is where you’ll find the heart of the city’s blues and music scene. Expect to find cool bars and relaxed restaurants in this neighborhood.
- Ready for some peace and quiet? The Shaw Historic District is a peaceful neighborhood filled with tree-lined streets and elegant Victorian homes.
Things to Do in St. Louis
Once you’ve settled into your new job and new home, it will be time to explore all that St. Louis has to offer. The city is home to some of the finest jazz and blues clubs in the country, as well as world class theaters, museums, and restaurants. Here are some of the top things to do in St. Louis.
- National Blues Museum. The biggest museum in the US dedicated to exploring the musical history and impact of the blues, you won’t want to miss this one.
- Saint Louis Art Museum. One of the best art museums in the country, the Saint Louis Art Museum houses thousands of paintings, sculptures, and ancient masterpieces from all over the world.
- Schlafly Bottleworks. One of the forerunners of the microbrewery trend in the US, Schlafly serves up their special beers on tap as well as classic pub fare.
- Sugarfire Smoke House. St. Louis is a barbecue city, so why wouldn’t you check out one of its best barbecue joints?
- Carmine’s Steak House. For a fancy, meaty dinner, Carmine’s Steak House simply can’t be beat.
- BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups. At BB’s, you get what you expect — jazz, blues, and a delightful, flavor-packed Southern menu.
- Hammerstone’s. This historic tavern hosts live jazz every single night of the week — plus, they serve up some pretty tasty grub.
- St. Louis Zoo. With over 14,000 animals and nearly 500 species, the Saint Louis Zoo is consistently ranked one of the top zoos in the country.
Self Storage Options near St. Louis
With conveniently-located storage facilities, EZ Storage® St. Louis can help you out, no matter where you are. With locations in Crestwood, Rock Hill, Ballwin, and more, you won’t have trouble finding a location that works for you.
And with our flexible self storage options, you’ll find a unit that fits your needs. Our options include:
- Personal Storage. If you don’t have the space in your house to keep your things secure or store everything you own, it’s important to find somewhere you can.
- Climate-Controlled Storage. For fragile or sensitive items that need to be stored at a specific temperature, our climate-controlled storage units are a perfect fit.
- Business Storage. If you have a surplus of products, you’ve placed a large order with your manufacturer, or you need to store seasonal goods, our business storage units are just the thing.
- Vehicle Storage. We also offer an assortment of storage options for your recreational, personal, and business vehicles, including motorcycles, RVs, jet skis, ATVs, and work vans.
Frequently Asked Questions about Moving to St. Louis
Below, we’ve brought together answers to some frequently asked questions about moving to St. Louis.
Is it expensive to live in St Louis?
St. Louis is a pretty affordable place to live. Its cost of living is about 10% lower than other urban centers in the US, meaning it’s a great place to move for young professionals and anyone looking to start a family.
How many people live in St Louis?
Just over 300,000 people live in the city of St. Louis proper, while nearly 1,000,000 people live in St. Louis County.
What is St. Louis known for?
St. Louis is known for its barbecue and historic breweries, as well as its contributions to jazz music and its hometown baseball team, the St. Louis Cardinals.