Did you know that St. Louis was the first non-European city to host the Olympic Games? "The Lou," as it's affectionately known, is an appealing blend of down-to-earth Midwestern values and sophisticated urban amenities. Our real estate agents share their seven favorite reasons to love St. Louis.

1. The Loop
   Chicago's neighborhood of the same name may be more well-known, but The Loop in St. Louis is just as beloved and iconic. This hip, quirky six-block district was one of the original "10 Great Streets in America," as named by the American Planning Association. Don't miss Blueberry Hill, the landmark restaurant and music hall that has hosted everyone from local native Chuck Berry to Ed Sheeran. Other attractions include the St. Louis Walk of Fame and the Moonrise Hotel, topped by its signature 3,000-pound revolving moon.
   
   
2. Thriving Art Scene
   The movers and shakers of St. Louis have always regarded an emphasis on arts and culture to be a hallmark of a strong community. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023, the Saint Louis Art Fair regularly makes the list of top festivals in the country. Part interactive art exhibit and part theme park, City Museum has four floors of slides, treehouses, circus performers, and the World's Largest Pencil. Even churches get in on the act, such as the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, which doubles as the Mosaic Museum.
   
   
3. Forest Park
   Central Park has nothing on Forest Park, the crown jewel of the St. Louis cityscape. With 13 million visitors exploring the grounds annually, Forest Park is the sixth most-visited urban park in America. Lush forests, ecosystems, nature reserves, and waterways cover the park's 1,300 acres. An innovative dual recreational path that accommodates both "heels" and "wheels" winds around and through the grounds. In addition, Forest Park is home to five of St. Louis's top cultural attractions, including the zoo, art museum, and science center. Park hours are 6 a.m. - 10 p.m., and admission is free.
   
   
4. Easy to Get Around
   St. Louis boasts an impressive Walk Score of 85 out of 100, so you can usually leave the car in the garage. The city also ranks high for bike infrastructure and public transit options. Commute time around St. Louis homes for sale is more than two minutes less than the national average of 26.4 minutes.
   
   
5. Low Cost of Living
   In 2022, "inflation" was the keyword in nearly every economic report. Not so in St. Louis, where Sperling's Best Places calculates the cost of living index at 82.7, a significant savings from the country's average of 100.
   
   
6. Take Me Out to the Ball Game
   Baseball is America's pastime, and the St. Louis Cardinals is one of MLB's oldest and proudest franchises. In their history of more than 100 years, the Cards have won 11 World Series, second only to the New York Yankees. One of those championships came in 2006, the first year played in the new Busch Stadium, with panoramic views of the downtown skyline and Gateway Arch.
   
   
7. Gooey Butter Cake and Concretes
   If you have a sweet tooth, St. Louis is the place to satisfy it. Two treats distinctly identified with the city are gooey butter cake, a simple yet craveable pastry made with butter, sugar, eggs, and flour, and concretes from Ted Drewes, so named because these ice cream concoctions are thick enough to be served upside down.

Want to learn more about the many benefits and attractions of life in St. Louis? Contact us at RedKey Realty Leaders.