Weldon Spring is part of the St. Louis area. This page covers the whole metro.
Big-city feel, Historic, Outdoorsy
Scored the same way as the quiz, against 382 U.S. metro areas. A feel is listed when St. Louis scores 70 or higher out of 100.
Less so: artsy, cozy, growing.
How locals describe St. Louis
The words residents use most, from 108 comments on Reddit, City-Data and Quora. Bigger means more people said it. Tap a word to read what they said.
"Free admission to a world class zoo. -Great sports town. -Super affordable real estate -Cost of living is unbeatable."
"St. Louis is not a walkable city. It's possible to walk the city if you live in a VERY specific part of downtown/downtown west."
"Reasonable prices and a fairly walkable area with a good vibe."
A walk through St. Louis
Places residents talk about, in their words. Each photo is of the place named.
Look around St. Louis
Google Street View near the center of town, taken 2024-05. Drag to turn, click the street to move.
Open in Google MapsEveryday life in St. Louis
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
What St. Louis is known for
Every year
NovFlyover Comedy Festival: Comedy festival with stand-up, improv, and sketch showsexplorestlouis.com
PrideFest: LGBTQIA+ community celebration with parade and performancesexplorestlouis.com
Busiest time
Summer: City is hottest and tourist season peaksvisitacity.com
On a normal week
Visiting the Gateway Archen.wikipedia.org
Visiting the Saint Louis Zooen.wikipedia.org
Visiting the Missouri Botanical Gardenen.wikipedia.org
Take a tour of St. Louis
"Discover The Gateway To The West On This St. Louis Walking Tour!" by WanderingWalksofWonder, on YouTube. Not made by Varro.
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 resident mentioned the Meramec River and the Katy Trail as good options for canoeing, kayaking, and biking.
“Lots of waterways for canoeing and kayaking throughout Missouri including the Meramec”
One resident suggested the City Museum, the Zoo, the Magic House in Kirkwood, and a drive through Lone Elk Park to see elk, bison, and deer as family-friendly spots.
“The City Museum and the Zoo look awesome. Also consider the Magic House”
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 14 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 ago. Things may have changed since.One 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 found it difficult to make friends in St. Louis despite people being very nice.
“It is difficult here. I have complained about this to many Lyft drivers in STL (they all seem to be transplants too). People here are SO nice...”
Read the full commentAbout 3 years ago. Things may have changed since.One transplant resident said it took a while to find good friends in St. Louis.
“Transplant here. It took a while to find good friends, and some of them are from here but put effort into not just continuing to hang out with...”
Read the full commentAbout 6 months agoOne editor noted St. Louis has a reputation for being a tough place for newcomers to figure out and is leading a project to address this.
“I know St. Louis has a rap for being a tough place for newcomers to figure out, so I'm leading a new project for St. Louis Public Radio (I'm an editor...”
Read the full commentAbout 5 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 11 months agoOne resident says dating as a heterosexual man in St. Louis is significantly worse than in many other places they have experienced
“I'm a little older than 35, but my experience is dating as a heterosexual man in the St. Louis area is significantly worse than in many other...”
Read the full commentAbout 8 months agoOne resident says Tinder or Facebook Dating are the lowest barrier to entry apps for dating
“Tinder or Facebook Dating are probably the lowest barrier to entry apps. The profiles are easy to set up, especially if you already have a...”
Read the full commentAbout a year agoOne resident says dating apps overall are horrible but Hinge is at least decent for meeting real people
“The apps are horrible overall, hinge is at least decent and you can meet real people there, in my experience anyway. might be best to focus on...”
Read the full commentAbout 2 years agoOne resident found dating apps useful since they show someone is clearly interested in dating.
“Apps serve as a clear way to know someone is definitely interested in dating. I found it very useful. is when I will meet someone and wind up...”
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 agoOne resident listed visiting several local breweries including Perennial, Side Project, 2nd Shift, 4Hands, and Schlafly
“Gonna be in town next month. I've been once before and hit Perennial, Side Project, 2nd Shift, 4Hands, and Schlafly.”
Read the full commentAbout 5 months agoOne resident noted that Nick's Pub charges a five dollar cover, likely on weekends when bands play
“I'd recommend Nick's Pub, too, but the last two times I have been there, they charge a $5 cover. Probably a weekend thing because of bands...”
Read the full commentAbout 3 years ago. Things may have changed since.One resident warned that you need a car to have a life, despite the roads being trash strewn chunks of broken concrete, and found locals unfriendly.
“You must have a car to have a life, but also the roads are trash-strewn chunks of broken concrete. The locals are incredibly unfriendly- Places...”
Read the full commentAbout a year agoOne resident advised renting for a year first because St. Louis is one of the most neighborhood dependent cities they have experienced.
“St. Louis is one of the most neighborhood dependent cities I have ever spent time. You should absolutely rent for a year and explore the area.”
Read the full commentIn the last few monthsOne resident said they moved without knowing anyone, just wanting warm weather and beaches, and found the city full of friendly transplants.
“I knew no one before moving here. Just knew I wanted warm weather and beaches. The city is full of transplants so most people are extremely...”
Read the full commentAbout 3 years ago. Things may have changed since.Recent stories from local outlets. Tap a headline to read it.
About 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.
One resident has submitted over 300 job applications so far in their search.
“300+ applications out so far. For the second, it was significantly underpaying, did the math when gas prices were over a $1 less a gallon and...”
Read the full commentAbout 7 months agoOne resident works remotely from a Lifetime Fitness location in Frontenac that offers fast internet and daily access for a monthly fee.
“Best coworking spaces for remote work. I work remotely from Lifetime fitness in Frontenac. $250 /month 24/7 Access Ultra-Fast Internet Daily...”
Read the full commentAbout a year agoGoodwill 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. Before you get the keys, expect about $2,000 to $2,998 for first month plus a deposit, or up to $3,000 to $4,497 where landlords also ask for last month.
Many landlords want your income to be about 3 times the rent. For $1,000 to $1,499, that's a yearly income of about $36,000 to $53,964.
Estimate from Census rent data (2019 to 2023, rent plus tenant-paid utilities). Deposits and fees vary by landlord and state law.
Moving to Missouri: before and after
- 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.