REGION GUIDE
St. Louis City
If you want to experience the heartbeat of the St. Louis area, this is it. The City of St. Louis is where the region’s history, culture, and architecture all collide. You’ll find everything from 18th-century brick estates to modern lofts to award-winning restaurants and sprawling city parks.
Location
St. Louis City sits at the geographic center of the St. Louis metro area, directly across from St. Clair County and Madison County, Illinois.
Lifestyle
Walkable neighborhoods, world-class attractions, top-notch restaurants for foodies, and rich cultural diversity.
Homes
Classic red brick homes, Victorian masterpieces, newly-build townhomes, ritzy condo buildings, and everything in between.
Access
Central location with quick access to major highways, Clayton business district, and nearby St. Charles County.
Overview
The City of St. Louis is the heart of the Greater St. Louis region, encompassing approximately 62 square miles of rich history, vibrant art, diverse cuisine, and stunning architecture. It’s an independent city, meaning it’s not part of St. Louis County or any other Missouri counties. St. Louis City is home to about 278,000 people and serves as the cultural and economic hub of eastern Missouri.
St. Louis has a reputation for being a “really big small city.” You can get almost anywhere in 15–20 minutes, whether you’re heading to a Cardinals game at Busch Stadium, going to the Arch, visiting the Missouri Botanical Garden, or meeting friends for brunch in Tower Grove Park.
St. Louis has 79 official neighborhoods. Each one has its own personality. You’ll find historic districts like Lafayette Square and Compton Heights, nightlife in Soulard and The Grove, family-friendly blocks in St. Louis Hills and Lindenwood Park, and art-and-food culture in Fox Park, Benton Park West, and Tower Grove
The city continues to evolve, blending its rich history with new investment and development in areas such as Downtown West, Midtown, and Cortex, where tech companies and startups now thrive near Saint Louis University and Washington University’s innovation centers.
Featured Neighborhoods
Benton Park
Updated, historic red brick homes, and great bars and restaurants.
See the guide →
Central West End
Urban streets, historic mansions, and you’re right next to Forest Park.
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Downtown
Urban living with the “Bigger City” feel. Industrial lofts everywhere.
See the guide →
Lafayette Square
One of the most beautiful and historic neighborhoods in STL, known for the brick “Painted Ladies.”
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Soulard
Gorgeous brick homes, bars, restaurants, and coffee shops everywhere.
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The Grove
Historic charm with a lot of new development mixed in. Great nightlife options other than Soulard.
See the guide →
A Brief History
Founded in 1764 by Pierre Laclède and Auguste Chouteau, St. Louis was named after King Louis IX of France. Thanks to its position on the Mississippi River, it quickly became one of the major cities of the American frontier, serving as the starting point for explorers like Lewis and Clark.
During the 19th century, the City of St. Louis became a crossroads for river trade, railroads, and immigration, earning nicknames like “Gateway to the West.” The Gateway Arch, completed in 1965, still symbolizes that spirit of exploration and growth.
Landmarks like the Old Courthouse, Missouri History Museum, and Union Station showcase different chapters of St. Louis’s evolution from World War I industrial boom to Route 66 Americana.
By the early 20th century, St. Louis had become the fourth-largest city in the United States, hosting the 1904 World’s Fair and the Olympic Games. Today, the St. Louis Metro Region ranks 23rd in the nation. It’s home to world-class universities, Fortune 500 companies like Edward Jones and Reinsurance Group of America, and a thriving arts and restaurant scene that rivals those of much bigger cities.
All 79 St. Louis City Neighborhoods
Academy
Baden
Benton Park
Benton Park West
Bevo Mill
Botanical Heights
Boulevard Heights
Carondelet
Carr Square
Central West End
Cheltenham
Clayton-Tamm
Clifton Heights
College Hill
Columbus Square
Compton Heights
Covenant Blu Grand Center
DeBaliviere Place
Downtown
Downtown West
Dutchtown
Ellendale
Fairground
Forest Park Southeast (The Grove)
Fountain Park
Fox Park
Franz Park
Gravois Park
Hamilton Heights
Hi-Pointe
Holly Hills
Hyde Park
Jeff-Vander-Lou
Kings Oak
Kingsway East
Kingsway West
Kosciusko
Lafayette Square
LaSalle Park
Lewis Place
Lindenwood Park
Marine Villa
Mark Twain
Mark Twain I-70 Industrial
McKinley Heights
Midtown
Mount Pleasant
Near North Riverfront
North Hampton
North Pointe
North Riverfront
O’Fallon
Old North St. Louis
Patch
Peabody Darst Webbe
Penrose
Princeton Heights
Riverview
Shaw
Skinker DeBaliviere
Soulard
Southampton
Southwest Garden
St. Louis Hills
St. Louis Place
The Gate District
The Greater Ville
The Hill
The Ville
Tiffany
Tower Grove East
Tower Grove South
Vandeventer
Visitation Park
Walnut Park East
Walnut Park West
Wells Goodfellow
West End
Wydown Skinker
Living in St. Louis
The cost of living in St. Louis remains lower than in most major cities in the Midwest. You’ll find everything from starter homes under $200K to historic mansions over $2 million, often for a fraction of what they’d cost in Chicago or DC.
The city continues to attract both first-time buyers and investors, with steady appreciation and a wide mix of housing units available. Neighborhoods like Fox Park, Marine Villa, and Gravois Park are seeing new restaurants, small businesses, and renovations every year.
For anyone who loves historic architecture, local food, and a sense of community, living in St. Louis City offers an unmatched blend of culture and value in the State of Missouri. You’ll find fantastic restaurants in every neighborhood. Some of our favorite neighborhoods for foodies are Soulard, Benton Park, Central West End, and The Hill.
Top Reads For St. Louis City Buyers
Everything You Need to Know Before Moving to St. Louis, MO
Your ultimate moving guide before you pack your luggage.
Pros and Cons of Living in St. Louis, MO in 2025
Honest truths and harsh realities of what The Lou has to offer.
The 10 Best Neighborhoods in St. Louis, MO (2025 Guide)
Read about the best neighborhoods + what makes them unique.
