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A Guide to Living in St. Louis
We may be biased here at Westpark Apartments and Townhomes, but we believe that St. Louis is one of the great midwestern cities, on par with Minneapolis, Chicago, and Kansas City. Not only has it played a crucial role in the development and western expansion of early America, but it has continued to be a center for culture and commerce. It’s a dynamic city that offers access to epic historical landmarks, top-tier universities, sprawling city parks, a creative food scene, and thrilling entertainment. The benefits of living in St. Louis are endless.
Our team here at Westpark Apartments and Townhomes has put together this handy guide to St. Louis so that residents and visitors alike can find something new and novel to experience. Here’s to the city that we call home!
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History of St. Louis
As is the case with many of the world’s great cities, the history of St. Louis is inextricably woven with its waterways. Two of America’s major rivers, The Mississippi and The Missouri, converge in St. Louis, making the city a powerhouse of commerce, especially during the period when rivers were the main routes for trade.
In the early decades of American history, and even after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, St. Louis was the edge of modern American civilization. Traders, trappers, and explorers would use the city as a launching point for their adventures out west. This was famously the case with the Lewis & Clark Expedition, an epic journey that started in St. Louis, moving westward against the current of the Missouri River all the way to its headwaters in Three Forks, Montana.
This is how St. Louis came to be known as “The Gateway to the West.” In 1965, the famous Gateway Arch was unveiled to honor the city’s role in America’s western expansion. It’s the city’s most recognizable monument and continues to be one of St. Louis’ main attractions.
Weather & Climate
The topography of Missouri is characterized by mighty rivers, rolling green hills, gentle brooks, and deciduous oak-hickory forests that are home to white-tailed deer, wild turkey, raccoons, and much more. The state’s unparalleled beauty is due to its unique placement in the transition zone between the forests of the east and the great plains to the west.
St. Louis itself experiences weather patterns that are consistent with the rest of the region. Summers are long, hot, and humid (with an average high of 85°), while the winters can be both dry and intensely cold (average low of 25°). Don’t let the contrast fool you— the weather in St. Louis is pleasant for much of the year, especially during the milder seasons of spring and fall.
The Great Parks of St. Louis
The great American cities are often defined by their parks— Central Park in New York City, Griffith Park in Los Angeles, and Millenium Park in Chicago. This is because parks serve as much-needed retreats from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding metropolis, a place where people can enjoy nature, rest, and find leisure. In St. Louis, the three most vital parks are Forest Park, Tower Grove Park, and Carondelet Park.
Forest Park
With over 1,300 acres to explore, Forest Park is referred to as the “Heart of St. Louis.” Located just west of downtown, the impressive park is home to many of the city’s cultural jewels, including the St. Louis Zoo, the St. Louis Art Museum, the Missouri History Museum, and the St. Louis Science Center. It also features a boathouse, multiple lakes, a tennis center, a seasonal skating rink, and three 9-hole golf courses. Residents of Westpark are just 15-20 minutes away from the legendary city park.
Tower Grove Park
Ornate pavilions, towering bronze statues, and sprawling water features — these are just some of Tower Grove Park’s outstanding offerings. The park sits adjacent to the Missouri Botanical Garden, an impressive ode to the state’s native flora, which features maze-like gardens, lily-pad-dotted pools, and an iconic geodesic dome greenhouse.
Carondelet Park
Finally, there’s Carondelet Park, the city’s third-largest park as well as one of the oldest. Created in 1875, the park is situated just west of the Mississippi River between the Carondelet and Holly Hills neighborhoods. It’s home to a beautiful, red-shingled boathouse, a community rec center, and winding walkways that weave throughout its 180 acres.
St. Louis’ Musical Heritage
Many factors came together to make St. Louis one of the nation’s most vital musical incubators for blues, jazz, and ragtime. Most importantly, the city’s positioning at the confluence of The Missouri and Mississippi Rivers gave St. Louis both economic and cultural power. This led to an abundance of musicians looking to up their game in the big city, along with an environment that provided the necessary financial fuel and social gatherings.
The result was a city that produced musical geniuses such as Albert King, Josephine Baker, Clark Terry, Miles Davis, and “Father of Ragtime” Scott Joplin. Rock-N-Roll innovator Chuck Berry was also born in St. Louis and in his later years, would perform once a month at the famous Blueberry Hill restaurant and venue.
Today, locals can choose from a wealth of tried-and-true venues such as The Pageant, BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups, City Winery, Hammerstone’s, and the above-mentioned Blueberry Hill. The city of St. Louis continues to shape modern American music.
Major Employers & Job Opportunities
Many major businesses and employers have decided to headquarter in St. Louis due to its geographic centrality and business-friendly policies. Some of the most notable employers are:
- Anheuser-Busch— one of America’s largest producers and distributors of beer, with brands that include Budweiser, Bud Light, Busch, and Stella Artois
- Edward Jones— provides comprehensive, full-scale financial services
- Energizer— famous battery manufacturer
- Build-A-Bear Workshop— national retail brand where patrons can put together their own stuffed animal
For The Foodies
Being a major metropolitan center, the St. Louis food scene offers up every type of cuisine you can imagine. Throughout the city’s history, various groups have put down roots in St. Louis, bringing along with them a unique culture and cuisine. Nowhere is this more evident than “The Hill,” a famous historically Italian neighborhood about 10 minutes west of downtown. Almost every street in the area is punctuated by longstanding Italian restaurants that are built around family traditions and recipes. This includes Lorenzo’s, Gian-Tony’s, Charlie Gitto’s, Pizzeria La Gloria, Eovaldi’s Deli, and many more. If it pops up on a menu, be sure to check out a St. Louis original: fried ravioli.
St. Louis is also at the center of America’s BBQ belt, a region that stretches all the way from Kansas City to the Carolinas. Over the decades, the city became known for its distinct preparation of spare ribs, which are grilled rather than slow-cooked and served underneath a generous amount of St. Louis barbeque sauce. Legend has it that St. Louis consumes more sauce per capita than any other city in America!
Life In The Lou
Between the food, the history, the music, and access to world-class parks, it’s clear that living in St. Louis comes with endless opportunities.
If you’re on the search for your next home here in the city, please visit us at Westpark Apartments and Townhomes in the Creve Coeur neighborhood. We would love to give you a tour of our stunning 1, 2, and 3 bedroom homes, which blend comfort, style, and breathability. Our team is proud to provide St. Louis with the ultimate living experience.