Photos and reviews come from Google Maps and show single places, not the whole area. Reviews are the most relevant ones Google returns for each place. We show the longest highly rated review under 400 characters and, when there is one, the longest low-rated review. Google doesn't verify reviews but removes fake ones when it finds them.
Around St. Louis
Shaw's Coffee, Cafe Dolce, Goshen, Protagonist, Antagonist, and Cafe Miami are called great coffee spots in Soulard and the Hill.
“Shaw's coffee and Cafe Dolce on the hill are both great.”
One former West County resident said they moved to the city and have no intention of leaving.
“I grew up in West County, but have been living in the city for the past three years and have no intention to leave.”
McGurks in Soulard, Wheelhouse, and Tin Roof were named as fun nightlife options.
“If you want more of a club then head to wheelhouse or tin roof.”
From 5 resident comments about meeting people and the social scene.
One resident lists Xray Arcade, Red Flag, Fubar Lounge, Off Broadway and the Old Rock as the best concert venues.
“Best concert venues. Reddit Best concert venues in St. Louis … called Xray Arcade. Red Flag and Fubar Lounge. Off Broadway or the Old Rock...”
Read the full commentAbout 5 months agoOne resident mentions bigger venues like Music Park, the Factory, the Pageant, and Delmar Hall, calling the Sheldon and the Fox gorgeous and iconic.
“For bigger venues there are music park, the factory, the pageant, Delmar hall, etc. The Sheldon and the fox are gorgeous and iconic.”
Read the full commentIn the last few monthsOne resident mentions the 1st Annual Asian Fest in St. Peters along with a play at Act Two Theatre and the return of Greek Fest.
“1st Annual Asian Fest is being held in St. Peters, MO … check out One Man, Two Guvnors at Act Two Theatre. Greek Fest is back this weekend!”
Read the full commentAbout 5 months agoOne resident says their favorite events are Garden Glow and Mardi Gras.
“Ours is probably the Garden Glow and Mardi Gras, but would love to hear what you all say!”
Read the full commentAbout 2 years agoOne resident recommends Meetup.com groups which host events nearly every day of the week.
“I recommend checking out the groups on Meetup.com. There are multiple active groups that have events almost everyday of the week.”
Read the full commentAbout 3 years agoOne resident in their mid 20s describes struggling to make friends and build a solid community as draining.
“I’m in my mid 20s struggling to make friends and a solid community here. I know it’s a pretty common experience nowadays but it really is draining...”
Read the full commentAbout 3 years ago. Things may have changed since.One resident says dating success depends heavily on a person's likes, dislikes, values and willingness to compromise.
“Surely dating in the St. Louis area is possible, but a lot of it hinges on your likes, dislikes, values, and what trade-offs you're willing (or...”
Read the full commentAbout 11 months agoOne resident says St. Louis often tops lists for singles and dating apps offer plenty of potential candidates.
“STL often tops lists of cities for singles, and it's true. If you're on the apps, you should have plenty of potential candidates. That being...”
Read the full commentAbout 10 months agoMcGurks in Soulard, Wheelhouse, and Tin Roof were named as fun nightlife options.
“Not sure what you're into but McGurks in Soulard is always fun. If you want more of a club then head to wheelhouse or tin roof.”
Read the full commentAbout a year agoAbout 10,427 business locations in the St. Louis area, employing about 195,488 people. That's 1.3 times the U.S. share, so this field is a bigger part of the local economy than usual.
U.S. Census County Business Patterns, 2023. Counts business locations with paid employees, not job openings.
Goodwill locations in the area were reported hiring at 15.50 an hour with day one health insurance.
“But there are many goodwills in the STL area that are hiring. Pay starts at $15.50 an hour and you are eligible for health insurance on day one.”
Read the full commentAbout 8 months agoPick a month. A dot means residents talked about that time of year.
No resident has talked about October yet.
One resident highlighted the food scene, architecture, and low cost of living with very little traffic.
“Great food scene, great architecture, incredible value as far as cost of living. Very little traffic. Lots of amenities comparable to larger...”
Read the full commentAbout 4 years ago. Things may have changed since.Shaw's Coffee, Cafe Dolce, Goshen, Protagonist, Antagonist, and Cafe Miami are called great coffee spots in Soulard and the Hill.
“Shaw's coffee and Cafe Dolce on the hill are both great. Goshen, Protagonist, Antagonist, and Cafe Miami in Soulard are awesome. Mountainhouse...”
Read the full commentAbout a year agoSump, Blueprint, and Coffeestamp are favorites, with Coffeestamp also praised for its food.
“Sump, Blueprint, and Coffeestamp are my favorites. Coffestamp has tasty food too.”
Read the full commentAbout a year agoMcGurks in Soulard, Wheelhouse, and Tin Roof were named as fun nightlife options.
“Not sure what you're into but McGurks in Soulard is always fun. If you want more of a club then head to wheelhouse or tin roof.”
Read the full commentAbout a year ago“Great food scene, great architecture, incredible value as far as cost of living.”
What's nearby
Within 5 miles of the center of the St. Louis area.
Counts from OpenStreetMap, a volunteer map, so small or new places can be missing. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Biking and trails
Within 5 miles of the center of the St. Louis area.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Counts depend on how well local volunteers have mapped the area, so treat them as a rough guide.
What rent costs
Of about 329,361 rented homes in the St. Louis area, 94% rent for under $2,000 a month and 98% for under $3,000.
Census American Community Survey 2019 to 2023 (table B25063). Gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Today's asking rents for open apartments usually run higher.
What moving costs
Average cost: $1,946
From a 2025 survey of 1,000 people who hired movers. This Old House. Your quote depends on your stuff, stairs and the time of year.
The middle rented home in the St. Louis area rents for $1,000 to $1,499 a month. First month plus a one-month deposit comes to about $2,000 to $2,998 before you get the keys.
Estimate from Census rent data (2019 to 2023, rent plus tenant-paid utilities). Deposits and fees vary by landlord and state law.
Your first weeks in Missouri
- Forward your mail: USPS change of address. It costs about $1 online to confirm who you are.
- Switch your driver's license and car registration. Each state sets its own deadline, often somewhere between 10 days and a few months after you move. Find the Missouri DMV.
- Register to vote at your new address: Missouri voter registration.
- Set up power, gas, water and trash. Some cities bill water and trash together, and some ask new customers for a deposit.
- Update your address with your bank, employer, insurance and the IRS (Form 8822 if you're not filing soon).
- Find a doctor and dentist early. New-patient waits can be weeks, even in big cities.
Public schools
23 public school districts in this county, with about 135,302 students in all. Which one serves a home depends on its address.
NCES Common Core of Data 2022-23, National Center for Education Statistics. Varro doesn't rate or rank schools. For test results and programs, see each district's site and your state's school report card.
Childcare and colleges
Missouri keeps an official list of licensed childcare, with inspection reports and openings in many states. In a lot of towns, infant spots fill up months ahead, so it helps to get on waitlists before you move.
Search licensed childcare in Missouri →21 colleges in the county and the wider metro around St. Louis. Prices are yearly tuition and fees for full-time undergrads, before financial aid.
Moving for school? Public colleges charge state residents much less, and community colleges often charge even less to people who live in their district. Most states want you to have lived there about 12 months, for reasons other than school, before you count as a resident for tuition. The rules differ by state, so check with the college's registrar.
IPEDS 2023-24, National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS). Degree-granting public and nonprofit schools with 100+ students. Varro doesn't rank colleges.