Commonly referred to as the “Gateway to the West,” St. Louis, Missouri, is famous for its iconic Gateway Arch, blues music scene, and loyal sports fans. Founded in 1764 on bluffs and terraces along the Mississippi River, the city covers 66.1 square miles today and has a median age of 36 (2022). The main industries driving its economy include service, manufacturing, trade, transportation, and tourism.

Architectural home styles in St. Louis include strong French influences, along with Victorian, Italianate, Federal, and Colonial styles. The typical home value is $177,269, which is up 10.2% over the past year (Zillow, 2022). In 2022, WalletHub named St. Louis one of the top 20 most fun cities in America. One look at its annual events, and it’s easy to see why: art fairs, a film festival, ice carnival, Mardi Gras, an Earth Day festival, and more.

Major highways serving St. Louis include the northeast-southwest I-44, the north-south I-55, east-west I-70, and the east-west I-64. Just off I-55 in the south end of the city is the neighborhood of Carondelet, which features old homes made of local red brick. Lafayette Square, just off I-44, reveals meticulously restored historic Victorian mansions. Hi-Pointe, off I-64, is a family-friendly area that includes condos and apartments.

St. Louis is a great place to be for anyone who wants a big-city feel in America’s Heartland, minus the big-city hassles.