What you hate about St. Louis (Fairview: high school, live in, move to)

[mc378]

As a fifteen-year resident of St. Louis County, who moved from out-of-state, I feel qualified to comment on this question.

The pros: (1) A wonderful town for families. Although I did not grow-up in St. Louis, I would have really enjoyed doing so. I can't imagine a much better place to raise a family; (2) Culture and history galore for a city of this size, making newer (and admittedly fresher) cities like Phoenix and Indianapolis seem culturally barren; (3) Restaurant scene is unbelievably good for a metro area of this size; (4) lots of natural beauty throughout the entire area with really fun parks; (5) Many cool neighborhoods; (6) World-class medical care, courtesy of Washington U. Med. School and Saint Louis U. Med School; (7) Decent public transportation via light-rail and buses; (8) Large (but ugly) airport; (9) Generally friendly and kind people; (10) Many great public and private schools; (11) well-maintained highways; and (12) Mild and beautiful falls, winters, and springs.

The cons: (1) Horrible, hot, and humid summers. Mold causes many out-of-town transplants to develop allergies and asthma; (2) Too many people have a provincial outlook and do not stray from their respective comfort zones; (3) horrible singles scene in comparison to other cities, caused by provincial attitudes and an insufficient influx of young and hip singles; (4) excessive urban sprawl, which works to the detriment of the entire region: (5) far too many governmental entities (ought to look at the successful unigov experience of Indy); and (6) The actual City of St. Louis lacks the funds to truly shine as it ideally could (and hopefully someday will).

A good summary, in a nutshell. I'm sure I've missed many other pros and cons, but those are the first that come to mind.

[ajf131]

Originally Posted by jskirwin

Kanick
St. Louis has been heavily Catholic for most of its history. The Irish. The Italians. Even the Germans that settled in STL came from Catholic parts of predominantly Lutheran Prussia/Germany. Catholicism is a key part of its identity just like it is in New Orleans.

Consequently much of its social life revolved around the church and for the kids their catholic schools. While it may seem grating for non-Catholics, try to tolerate it and even appreciate something that is part of the character of the city.

Maybe so, but that's about all that St. Louis has in common with New Orleans besides being on the Mississippi. New Orleans is the only Southern city to my knowledge to be Catholic overall. Catholicism is a key religion in every Midwestern city besides St. Louis.

[ajf131]

Originally Posted by mc378

As a fifteen-year resident of St. Louis County, who moved from out-of-state, I feel qualified to comment on this question.

The pros: (1) A wonderful town for families. Although I did not grow-up in St. Louis, I would have really enjoyed doing so. I can't imagine a much better place to raise a family; (2) Culture and history galore for a city of this size, making newer (and admittedly fresher) cities like Phoenix and Indianapolis seem culturally barren; (3) Restaurant scene is unbelievably good for a metro area of this size; (4) lots of natural beauty throughout the entire area with really fun parks; (5) Many cool neighborhoods; (6) World-class medical care, courtesy of Washington U. Med. School and Saint Louis U. Med School; (7) Decent public transportation via light-rail and buses; (8) Large (but ugly) airport; (9) Generally friendly and kind people; (10) Many great public and private schools; (11) well-maintained highways; and (12) Mild and beautiful falls, winters, and springs.

The cons: (1) Horrible, hot, and humid summers. Mold causes many out-of-town transplants to develop allergies and asthma; (2) Too many people have a provincial outlook and do not stray from their respective comfort zones; (3) horrible singles scene in comparison to other cities, caused by provincial attitudes and an insufficient influx of young and hip singles; (4) excessive urban sprawl, which works to the detriment of the entire region: (5) far too many governmental entities (ought to look at the successful unigov experience of Indy); and (6) The actual City of St. Louis lacks the funds to truly shine as it ideally could (and hopefully someday will).

A good summary, in a nutshell. I'm sure I've missed many other pros and cons, but those are the first that come to mind.

St. Louis does NOT have mild winters. I have no clue where you are from, but our winters, while they may not get snow like Chicago, still are generally cold from late November all the way through the end of March, and snow is generally anywhere from 15-20 inches...historical average is 22.5 inches..last year we got 30 inches. If you are from Indy, which it seems like you are, I have no clue why St. Louis' winters would seem mild to you, as there is hardly a difference between St. Louis and Indy's winters. With the fall and springs I would generally agree, although the springs have lots of thunderstorms, many of them severe.

[ajf131]

Originally Posted by aragx6

Scott,
I think we might be the exact opposite person. Phoenix is, with Las Vegas being the only possible exception, my least favorite place in the U.S. I hate the architecture, I hate the weather, I hate the scenery, I hate the city itself.

I have realized I am a rust belter not a sun belter, and honestly? I am just fine with that.

Ideally I'd like to own a historic home in the city of St. Louis and a country home on some land somewhere warmer in the winter, but with acceptable summers -- something outside Lexington perhaps? I think Kentucky is fabulously beautiful.

Kentucky's summers are generally even worse than St. Louis. Kentucky except for the part that dips up into Ohio is further south than St. Louis.

[kshe95girl]

Originally Posted by ajf131

Kentucky's summers are generally even worse than St. Louis. Kentucky except for the part that dips up into Ohio is further south than St. Louis.

very true, I lived in Louisville for 5 years and the summers sucked, but nothing like the endless summer down here.

[aragx6]

Originally Posted by ajf131

Kentucky's summers are generally even worse than St. Louis. Kentucky except for the part that dips up into Ohio is further south than St. Louis.

Oh they're God awful. Ideally I'd like to have a place to get away from some of the winter ugliness. Don't need to be gone all winter, but maybe just February

[Brickmama]

mc378, I think you are just about right on in your analysis. I couldnt agree with you more on the below comment. Sprawl is one of, if not the worst thing that has happened to the region....

(4) excessive urban sprawl, which works to the detriment of the entire region:

[oscottscotto]

Originally Posted by aragx6

Scott,
I think we might be the exact opposite person. Phoenix is, with Las Vegas being the only possible exception, my least favorite place in the U.S. I hate the architecture, I hate the weather, I hate the scenery, I hate the city itself.

I have realized I am a rust belter not a sun belter, and honestly? I am just fine with that.

Ideally I'd like to own a historic home in the city of St. Louis and a country home on some land somewhere warmer in the winter, but with acceptable summers -- something outside Lexington perhaps? I think Kentucky is fabulously beautiful.

Kentucky? Yuck. Of course, this is coming from a "sun-belter for life" .

Love the Gulf Coast and love the Southwest.

But like I said since moving here - STL isn't bad. It has a neat culture, much history, and some very cool structures/buildings. Plus, you can't beat the arch. But STL just so happens to not be my personal style ... and the weather sucks.

[aragx6]

Originally Posted by oscottscotto

Kentucky? Yuck. Of course, this is coming from a "sun-belter for life" .

Love the Gulf Coast and love the Southwest.

But like I said since moving here - STL isn't bad. It has a neat culture, much history, and some very cool structures/buildings. Plus, you can't beat the arch. But STL just so happens to not be my personal style ... and the weather sucks.

This is true. We both love Gulf Shores. Honestly, there's probably something wrong with the person who doesn't .

[johnamus]

Housing is way overpriced and sellers are refusing to admit it for the most part. $300,000 should buy a very nice home in a great school district not a 1800 sq ft 3 bd 2 bth ranch. Buying a bank-owned property is the only way to deal with a realistic seller at the moment.