Downtown St. Louis skyline and the greater St. Louis region

Where to Live in St. Louis

A buyer’s guide to the parts of the region, written for people who have not lived here. Work out which part fits before you start looking at houses, because almost everything that decides your day, the drive, the taxes, the schools, is set by that choice and not by the house.

Compare the Areas Narrow It Down

City vs. County

This catches almost everyone. The City of St. Louis is an independent city. It is not part of St. Louis County, has not been since 1876, and runs its own government, police and school district. When someone says they live in St. Louis, the first useful question is which one they mean.

The City is 79 named neighborhoods in its own right. If that is the part you are trying to picture, we have a labeled map of all 79 city neighborhoods you can zoom into.

St. Louis County is not one place either. It is dozens of separate municipalities, each with its own city hall and tax rate, inside a patchwork of school districts that do not follow city lines. West across the Missouri River is St. Charles County, where most of the region’s new construction has gone for twenty years.

Why this matters before you tour a single house: price, taxes, school district and commute all change at these lines, and none of them are visible in a listing photo.

Map of the greater St. Louis region: St. Charles County north-west across the Missouri River, St. Louis County wrapping the centre, and the City of St. Louis as a separate area on the Mississippi, inside the wider metro that reaches into Illinois — Tap the map to enlarge it.

The Whole Region, in One Video

Jacob drives and maps the entire metro: the highways you will actually commute on, then every part of the region in turn, with what homes cost in each. It runs long because the region is big.

Moving to St. Louis, Missouri? Watch This First

Living St. Louis

The Four Parts of the Region, Side by Side

Most people arrive knowing they want “St. Louis” and not which part. These are the four we work in, compared on the same four things, so you can rule three of them out quickly.

St. Louis City

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.

Explore St. Louis City

Mid St. Louis County

Location: Central corridor just west of the city limits with quick I-64/40 and I-70 access.
Lifestyle: Upscale shopping and dining, established neighborhoods, parks, and community events.
Homes: Historic charm meets modern luxury: renovations, teardowns, and custom builds.
Access: Short drives to the Central West End, Clayton business district, and major medical hubs.

Explore Mid St. Louis County

West St. Louis County

Location: Western suburbs of St. Louis along I-64/40, west of I-270 and north of I-44.
Lifestyle: Upscale neighborhoods, golf courses, parks, and award-winning public school districts.
Homes: Spacious newer construction, older homes from the 70s and 80s, and rural estates on wooded lots.
Access: Easy access to Clayton, Chesterfield Valley, and St. Charles County.

Explore West St. Louis County

St. Charles County

Location: West of the Missouri River, with quick access to Interstate 70, 64/40 and Routes 364 and 94.
Lifestyle: The classic suburbs. Master-planned communities mixed in with custom estates and some rural properties.
Homes: Lots of new construction, but you'll still find older farmhouses, historic brick, and homes on acreage.
Access: 30-60 minutes from St. Louis City, depending on how far west you are.

Explore St. Charles County

What Are You Actually Looking For?

Pick the line that sounds most like you. It is not a quiz and there is no wrong answer, it just gets you to the right part of the region faster than reading four guides.

Not sure? That is normal, and it is the conversation we have most often. Ask us.

Browse by Region

Four distinct areas, each with unique character and opportunities.

St. Louis City

The heart of the City of St. Louis: Full of historic brick, walkable streets, and culture around every corner. From Soulard’s nightlife to the tree-lined parks near the Mississippi River, the city mixes history, charm, and urban energy like nowhere else in Missouri.

Top Neighborhoods

View St. Louis City

Central West End

Walkable, elegant, and near Forest Park and the city’s best restaurants.

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Soulard

Brick row homes, music, and a neighborhood built around local tradition.

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Lafayette Square

Painted Ladies, a park in the middle, and some of the best restaurants in town.

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Mid County

Where convenience meets prestige. Mid County is home to Clayton, Ladue, Frontenac, and more. It’s the most established and style-driven part of St. Louis County. Here you’ll see classic architecture, high-end retail, and some of the area’s most sought-after school districts, all within 15 minutes of downtown St. Louis.

Top Neighborhoods

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Clayton

The county’s business hub. Upscale, urban, and wealthy.

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Ladue

Estate lots, golf courses, and timeless architecture.

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Frontenac

Boutique shopping and quick I-64/40 access.

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West County

Spacious, suburban, and family-oriented, West St. Louis County blends rolling hills, great schools, and outdoor recreation. It’s where people spread out a bit. Think trails through Queeny Park, big backyards, and weekends in Chesterfield Valley or Wildwood.

Top Neighborhoods

View West County

Chesterfield

New development, schools, and shopping at its best.

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Ballwin

Award-winning parks system and established residential streets.

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Wildwood

Scenic, wooded, and minutes from outdoor adventure.

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St. Charles County

Across the Missouri River, St. Charles County is where growth is booming. You’ll find newer construction, great schools, and a balance between suburban comfort and small-town charm. It’s one of the fastest-growing parts of the St. Louis metro area, with quick highway access to everywhere else.

Top Neighborhoods

View St. Charles County

Cottleville

Small-town feel with walkable shops and restaurants.

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O'Fallon

Master-planned neighborhoods with parks and trails.

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Lake St. Louis

Waterfront living with resort-style amenities.

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Watch Before You Choose a Region

A few honest takes on moving to the St. Louis area before you dive into a specific region.

Living St. Louis

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Your St. Louis Area Experts

At Gateway Realty Group, we help buyers, sellers, and new-construction clients navigate every part of the St. Louis metro area. From the historic streets of St. Louis city to the new-build communities in St. Charles County.

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Let our local experts guide you to the perfect neighborhood for your lifestyle and needs.

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Browse By Neighborhood

Browse all our St. Louis neighborhoods guides region.

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