Living in St. Louis

St. Louis is an exciting city with a rich history and a promising future. Hosting a population of more than 2.8 million, the metropolitan area offers a wide variety of cultural and recreational opportunities. There are 26 institutions of higher learning in the area, as well as award-winning restaurants, museums, professional drama and opera theaters, several dance companies and the second oldest symphony orchestra in the nation.

Housing is affordable, with an average housing price of $220,000, well below the national median of $412,000. As a result, residents frequently purchase condominiums and have money left over for entertainment and dining. Not that budgets for going out need to be big — many of St. Louis' most popular attractions are free or low-cost.

For instances when you do want to enjoy what the city has to offer, options abound. Consider tapping into the local dining scene. Across the city, award-winning chefs turn out a range of inventive and delicious international cuisine. Art-lovers will find multiple museums, galleries and other institutions to appreciate thought-provoking pieces by some of the most well-known artists. A few include the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis and the Pulitzer Arts Foundation, housed in a building constructed by iconic architect Tadao Ando.

Entertainment aficionados can choose from touring Broadway productions at the Fabulous Fox Theatre, sets by the country’s most popular comedians at Stifel Theatre or musicals at the country’s largest and oldest outdoor musical theater venue, The Muny in Forest Park. Other options for theater fans include The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, the Black Rep, That Uppity Theater Company, Stray Dog Theater and the New Jewish Theater.

St. Louis was home to some of the most prominent blues artists and still has a rich and diverse music scene. On any given weekend, stages across the city are lush with the sounds of jazz, rap, blues and pop from performers local and far-flung. At places like the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station, City Museum and the world-class Saint Louis Zoo, people of all ages will find new worlds to discover. And for sports spectators, St. Louis is home to St. Louis Cardinals baseball, St. Louis Blues hockey and the most recent addition, Major League Soccer team St. Louis CITY SC.

When you need to escape, Eastern Missouri supports the natural beauty of the Ozark Plateau, reminiscent of the Berkshires. Extending south and east of St. Louis, it provides many opportunities to hike, bike, boat, fish and float.

For more on St. Louis’ local attractions, see our resources:

General guides to St. Louis

Arts, visual and performing

Museums

Music

Parks and attractions

Sports and venues
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