Do People from Saint Louis suburbs consider themselves being from Saint Louis? (St. Louis: living in, garden)

[patrix542]

I was just wondering because Saint Louis is losing population, suburbs are growing fast and when i look at the posts, most of the people who are moving to "Saint Louis" are usually looking for it suburbs

[BoomBoxing]

I have to correct a few things before addressing your question.

1) St. Louis city is not losing population and has gained population since 2000. St. Louis county, a significant chunk of the suburbs is actually losing population, but granted most of those losses are to St. Charles, another suburb.

2) If you look around here and other St. Louis forums you will see a lot of people are looking to the city, not the suburbs...at least half by my rough estimation. So I would not agree that "most" people here are looking for suburbs.

3) The answer to your question is that when talking to out of towners, yes people from the suburbs almost always refer to themselves as being from St. Louis. When talking to another person from the St. Louis area they will say they are from whatever suburb or town they are from.

[aaronstlcards]

Like the poster above said, St. Louis is definetly not losing population. Since the 2000 census, estimates say that St. Louis has gained about 5,000 people.

[patrix542]

well 5,000 people is nothing for a city this size. In the last 50 years there was a massive loss in population

[ajf131]

Most people do generally. St. Louis City is only 60 square miles, and St. Louis County is less than ten miles from downtown in any direction (except east). Most people from St. Louis County usually refer to themselves as being from St. Louis. It should be noted that St. Louis County was once part of St. Louis City. People from across the river in Illinois and in St. Charles County generally go by their specific locations, as do people in Jefferson County and Franklin County. If you ask for the locations they will describe it relative to St. Louis. That's what I've observed. It also depends on who is asking the question...if it's from somebody not from the area, you'll usually just get "St. Louis." However, if you are a local, you'll pretty much get the criteria described above...also, people living in St. Louis County will likely go more specific with the exact location in the St. Louis metro area they are from.

[ajf131]

Originally Posted by patrix542

well 5,000 people is nothing for a city this size. In the last 50 years there was a massive loss in population

It only started gaining in population in 2000. 5,000 people is noticeable growth.

[Eyeam]

5,000 people in 9 years time seems largely insignificant from my perspective. St. Louis city proper is actually very small, and there really aren't a whole lot of reasons to live there. I've found that the suburb locations tend to have more to offer than the city itself. There are still reasons to go to the city, such as for sporting events or museums and such - but overall, I think St. Louis city contributes very little to what the entire metro area has to offer. City Garden is a cool new attraction, but STL city still has a ways to go before it starts attracting more people to live in the city core. Just my opinion on the matter - If I knew someone that was moving to the area I'd recommend certain suburbs over the city, but if I knew someone that was moving to a larger city like Chicago I'd recommend living in the city so that it's easier to take advantage of all the city has to offer.

[DinsdalePirahna]

its like being from LA or NY. To outsiders, if you live in the burbs you are still an Angeleno or New Yorker. Its only when you are a local do you express a sense of locality.

it doesn't help much in places like Saint Louis county where even if you live in Des Pere, Clayton or any of the other local municipalities, you still can have your mail delivered to a Saint Louis Address.

[OSU_FAN]

Eyeam, do you live in STL City? I live here and personally think it is wonderful. Yes, it has some growing pains there are certain areas that are still not great, but considering where it was just a few years back..I find it hard to believe that someone would say it has little to offer. I by no means am trying to start any wars here..I like to live a peaceful existence online and off but some people think the City is a pretty darn good place to live.

[Eyeam]

Oh, I'm not saying it's a terrible place to be. My only point was that considering the entire STL metro area, I think the city core contributes only a fraction of what there is to see and do. In larger cities, typically everything there is to do is within the city itself, so it's usually best to live in the city (if you can afford it) in order to take advantage of everything. Much of what St. Louis has to offer though is very spread out, and that is basically why I wouldn't recommend living in the city itself, but I certainly don't think there is anything wrong with it.