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It's a well-known reality that many people are being priced out of the major metropolises of the U.S.-NYC, SF, DC, LA, Seattle, Portland, and Boston are but some of many cities that people struggle to continue day-to-day living in. And this struggle is not limited to natives-recent grads and younger individuals who move there in search of higher salaries often find they can't contend with higher prices. Gentrification is starting to push out the working class but now the middle class in many of these cities.
So my question is, should St. Louis push to "recruit" those who find they have to leave? Seeing as how we offer many of the same amenities these larger cities have (sports teams, museums, etc.) but at a far lower cost, and have some truly under appreciated characteristics such as our architecture that is preciously coveted in the gentrifying cities mentioned above. There are a lot of startups here to provide jobs, a good business climate for entrepreneurial millenials, and multiple established companies that can provide employment as well, so the jobs are there for these prospective new residents. So should StL actively seek out those searching for a cheaper big-city lifestyle, and if so, how?
It's a well-known reality that many people are being priced out of the major metropolises of the U.S.-NYC, SF, DC, LA, Seattle, Portland, and Boston are but some of many cities that people struggle to continue day-to-day living in. And this struggle is not limited to natives-recent grads and younger individuals who move there in search of higher salaries often find they can't contend with higher prices. Gentrification is starting to push out the working class but now the middle class in many of these cities.
So my question is, should St. Louis push to "recruit" those who find they have to leave? Seeing as how we offer many of the same amenities these larger cities have (sports teams, museums, etc.) but at a far lower cost, and have some truly under appreciated characteristics such as our architecture that is preciously coveted in the gentrifying cities mentioned above. There are a lot of startups here to provide jobs, a good business climate for entrepreneurial millenials, and multiple established companies that can provide employment as well, so the jobs are there for these prospective new residents. So should StL actively seek out those searching for a cheaper big-city lifestyle, and if so, how?
One transplant's opinion (although moving back home to NM later this year):
St. Louis could indeed be quite appealing to those seeking to vacate the aforementioned overpriced markets. Certainly, the low housing cost should be at the forefront of any offer package. And yes, there is the potential for an affordable contemporary urban lifestyle, replete with high-quality parks, museums and other attractions.
The biggest challenges that I see, after living here for four years:
(1) Climate/Weather - let's call it what it is - about 50 percent pleasant, 50 percent not-so-pleasant. Certainly the autumn season is delightful, winters are mild but grey and gloomy, Spring is decent but prone to severe weather episodes and a nightmare for allergy sufferers. Summer is hot and humid, and on occasion stifling and brutal as it was in 2012. Did I mention flooding?
(2) Salary/Professional Stagnation - yes, the cost of housing is low (the actual property itself and associated taxes). Groceries, restaurants, fuel, sales taxes and other expenses are comparable to most of the U.S. However, salaries in St. Louis - like many Rust Belt towns going through transaction from manufacturing to service sectors - are generally below the national average as well. In addition, the "good old boy" system is alive and well here, which will hopefully die out as the longtime/older natives retire and allow for some more progressive thinking.
(3) Crime - every city has crime; unfortunately, St. Louis - while certainly not the dangerous hellhole that many (including natives/locals) make it out to be - does have more than its fair share of palpable criminal activity. Although most of this crime is confined to a certain geographic and demographic area, those who chose to live in the downtown/city area must also be cognizant of their surroundings/potential risks.
(4) Racial tension - again, this is a nationwide issue, but unfortunately is quite noticeable in St. Louis. Things tragically came to a head in Ferguson. Hopefully young, educated professionals can approach this topic with an open mind and critical reasoning rather than reactionary, hair-trigger opinions.
In essence, items 2, 3 and 4 can be addressed and handled by the right person. The hardest sell will be the weather :-).
Exciting new lofts are going up all over the CWE, I hope to see them filled with bright, energetic young professionals.
This may come as a surprise but some people from northern climates actually move here for the weather. I, my wife, and our friends from NY cite the more moderate weather here as one of the reasons we moved. In comparison to the NE, Portland, Seattle we are miles ahead of warmer and sunnier days. It's the most subjective out of any criteria for a middle latitude city.
One transplant's opinion (although moving back home to NM later this year):
St. Louis could indeed be quite appealing to those seeking to vacate the aforementioned overpriced markets. Certainly, the low housing cost should be at the forefront of any offer package. And yes, there is the potential for an affordable contemporary urban lifestyle, replete with high-quality parks, museums and other attractions.
The biggest challenges that I see, after living here for four years:
(1) Climate/Weather - let's call it what it is - about 50 percent pleasant, 50 percent not-so-pleasant. Certainly the autumn season is delightful, winters are mild but grey and gloomy, Spring is decent but prone to severe weather episodes and a nightmare for allergy sufferers. Summer is hot and humid, and on occasion stifling and brutal as it was in 2012. Did I mention flooding?
(2) Salary/Professional Stagnation - yes, the cost of housing is low (the actual property itself and associated taxes). Groceries, restaurants, fuel, sales taxes and other expenses are comparable to most of the U.S. However, salaries in St. Louis - like many Rust Belt towns going through transaction from manufacturing to service sectors - are generally below the national average as well. In addition, the "good old boy" system is alive and well here, which will hopefully die out as the longtime/older natives retire and allow for some more progressive thinking.
(3) Crime - every city has crime; unfortunately, St. Louis - while certainly not the dangerous hellhole that many (including natives/locals) make it out to be - does have more than its fair share of palpable criminal activity. Although most of this crime is confined to a certain geographic and demographic area, those who chose to live in the downtown/city area must also be cognizant of their surroundings/potential risks.
(4) Racial tension - again, this is a nationwide issue, but unfortunately is quite noticeable in St. Louis. Things tragically came to a head in Ferguson. Hopefully young, educated professionals can approach this topic with an open mind and critical reasoning rather than reactionary, hair-trigger opinions.
In essence, items 2, 3 and 4 can be addressed and handled by the right person. The hardest sell will be the weather :-).
Exciting new lofts are going up all over the CWE, I hope to see them filled with bright, energetic young professionals.
All good points, I think. Here are my responses:
1) I would imagine our climate would be a vast improvement over the climate of cities like NY or Boston. Maybe not so much San Francisco, but it's not like it's unbearable.
2) I'm not going to argue there, there is some stagnation here. But there are numerous pieces out there saying that StL has one of the best climates for startups, and that right there is the key to success. If there are enough startups providing jobs, we won't need as many offered by the big players.
3) Crime, as we all know, is concentrated in a select few areas. Atlanta and Philadelphia both have a lot of crime concentrated in certain areas but that hasn't stopped their growth/gentrification. Why should it stop ours?
4) I have no answer for that-that's something that can only heal with time. But we can't let it scare people away. After all, it's a nationwide trend-why should it affect only us? It doesn't have to be an obstacle for us if it isn't in other cities.
The St. Louis needs to be marketed hardcore! There needs to be a council of people, passionate about this city, that will get the word out about what this area has to offer. It could be done though an informational website with statistics, pictures, videos, interviews with St. Louis residents, etc...ALWAYS BE RECRUITING!
Maybe some commercials that could air in the areas listed above? I see all these commercials for "Visit Montana", or "Visit Arkansas"...how about "Come to St. Louis, stay a while...a long while"
Having lived on both coasts before settling here, I would say that I am very passionate for this city and try to get the word out as much as I can about the great things St. Louis has to offer. The cost of living alone should be a huge draw, if marketed right to potential transplants.
Well, I am a St. Louis native who moved to Chicago for career opportunities, and I would say that the weather is just fine in St. Louis (much better than Chicago for example). Housing prices aren't really all that cheap if you look at the affluent areas bordering Highway 40 from the West End to Chesterfield. Racial conflict is not any worse than anywhere else with a diverse population and crime is not really any worse either. The lack of high paying corporate jobs given the loss of many headquarters is the biggest issue and Lambert is just pathetic these days. There aren't enough non-stop flights to the rest of the country.
Lambert has actually added a lot of non-stop flights recently. I don't really see that as a such big problem anymore, at least domestically. Also, St. Louis has number of Fortune 1000 companies here that is similar to other comparable metros.
Well, I am a St. Louis native who moved to Chicago for career opportunities, and I would say that the weather is just fine in St. Louis (much better than Chicago for example). Housing prices aren't really all that cheap if you look at the affluent areas bordering Highway 40 from the West End to Chesterfield. Racial conflict is not any worse than anywhere else with a diverse population and crime is not really any worse either. The lack of high paying corporate jobs given the loss of many headquarters is the biggest issue and Lambert is just pathetic these days. There aren't enough non-stop flights to the rest of the country.
I am finding some who transfer to the region are not all that impressed with the St Louis cheap housing prices.
In most cases they expect to move from a second or third tier Chicago type suburb into the 64 corridor and it doesn't happen.
Lambert is changing for the better but we need a large hub. That doesn't seem to be happening because we are too close to Dallas and Chicago... wait a minute? Charlotte came out of nowhere and has totally blown the pants off Lambert and it's a smaller market. Population predicts it will surpass St Louis in by the 2030 census.
I don't know. I think St Louis is one of the best kept secrets for small big city living. This is coming from someone who left St Louis hating it and after 20+ years of living in places like Charlotte and Chicago.
1) I would imagine our climate would be a vast improvement over the climate of cities like NY or Boston. Maybe not so much San Francisco, but it's not like it's unbearable.
2) I'm not going to argue there, there is some stagnation here. But there are numerous pieces out there saying that StL has one of the best climates for startups, and that right there is the key to success. If there are enough startups providing jobs, we won't need as many offered by the big players.
3) Crime, as we all know, is concentrated in a select few areas. Atlanta and Philadelphia both have a lot of crime concentrated in certain areas but that hasn't stopped their growth/gentrification. Why should it stop ours?
4) I have no answer for that-that's something that can only heal with time. But we can't let it scare people away. After all, it's a nationwide trend-why should it affect only us? It doesn't have to be an obstacle for us if it isn't in other cities.
It's important to keep in mind that startups are a very small piece of the economy and while the climate here for those might be good, the scene is quite small here. Expats who are mobile tend to be those without kids who are relatively young. Thick labor markets help. What I mean by that are markets with a lot of alternatives if your initial job doesn't pan out. If you're at a start up in a big startup scene and your job isn't working, you have places to land at other startups, a viable freelance consulting gig, etc. The same applies to traditional jobs in law, finance, management in a certain industry, etc.
As others have mentioned, when you start looking at places to live in STL that might be comparable to desirable areas in current expat metros, STL is cheaper, but not substantially cheaper, than places like Chicago. Looking at wages vs cost of living the really expensive places are quite limited. Bos, NYC, DC, MIA, LA, SD, and the Bay Area. Portland and Seattle are getting there. That leaves a really big pool of 40 or so other metros that are fighting for people who are getting priced out. People tend to relocate one of four ways from those places:
Proximity. People going from LA to Phoenix. People in the NE to Baltimore and Philly. Even Providence and Albany.
Where the growth is in their field. Dallas, Houston, Denver, Research Triangle.
Moves to areas with the same recreational opportunities as where they live. If those entail mountains/beach scenes, good luck selling STL.
Back to where they came from. We get a lot of STL-Chicago boomerangs here.
That's not to say that St Louis doesn't have its selling points. The big one to me are the historic neighborhoods at a reasonable price. Those areas are still criminally underinvested though. Go from some parts of south city that are vibrant and go a couple blocks to areas like Benton Park West, Benton Park south of the park, Graviis Park, parts of Tiffany/McRee/Fox Park/TGE/the area just west of Morganford/etc. That can be jarring to someone coming from NYC, LA, Chicago, etc. There are pockets that are attractive to outsiders, but they feel like disconnected enclaves compared to similar areas of more expensive markets and even places like NOLA, Pittsburgh, and the Twin Cities.
IMO when you can take Arsenal or Russell from Broadway to Kingshighway without seeing board ups or houses for less than 150,000 will be the day that area becomes extremely enticing to expats. There will be more commercial vitality that comes with bringing the residential prices up in addition to a drop in crime and better charter/magnet options for kids down the road. Nothing too exclusive that will crush economic or racial diversity altogether or something that will price out people from the city. There are plenty of areas for people to live. Just something that will get outside perceptions over the hump. We can't market based upon ubiquitous suburban living like a Dallas because we don't have the job growth. We can't market based upon downtown because while it has come a long way, it costs a fortune to incentivize mid rise and high rise development there. In part because the historic houses elsewhere in walkable neighborhoods are so damn cheap. STL needs to enhance areas like historic parts of South City, Academy/West End, Maplewood to provide a more "user friendly" outsider atmosphere.
I think metro St. Louis should go after the residents of declining mid-sized cities. For decades, the Carolinas have been feasting on Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse.
The sprawling nature of St. Louis' metro population probably won't appeal to the types who moved to Portland. You're better off going after the residents of metros like Sacramento, an increasingly unaffordable metro that already sprawls.
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