St. Louis is a historic city of neighborhoods — nearly 80 of them — each with its own personality, rhythm, and everyday comforts. Whether you’re drawn to leafy, tree-lined streets, buzzy entertainment districts, or quieter residential pockets with quick access to the city core, there’s a corner of this city that will perfectly suit the way you live.
I’m Taryn, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for St. Louis, and I’ve put together this insider’s guide to help you explore the city like you already know your way around. These are the highlights I’d share with a real-life friend who’s moving here: where to go, what to see, and how to settle in like a local. It wasn't long ago that I was in your shoes; my family moved to Missouri just a couple of years ago, and we quickly learned that St. Louis is comprised of dozens of mini-communities stitched together by parks, history, greenways, and great food. And getting your bearings is half the fun.
Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in St. Louis
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,167 | $550 | $3,000 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,369 | $437 | $6,059 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,670 | $550 | $9,426 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $2,069 | $674 | $10,000+ |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,935 | $854 | $3,850 |
A Brief History of St. Louis
Long before St. Louis became known as the Gateway to the West, this region was home to the Mississippian mound-building cultures (in fact, one of its nicknames today is still "Mound City") and, later, to Indigenous nations including the Osage, Cahokia, and Illini. Their communities shaped the landscape along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers well ahead of the arrival of French traders.
When Pierre Laclede and Auguste Chouteau founded St. Louis in 1764, they chose the site primarily for its tall bluffs and strategic river access — a decision that quickly turned the new settlement into a major trading post. Over the next century, riverboats, railroads, and westward expansion continued to transform the city into a bustling commercial hub.
By the early 1900s, St. Louis was a true powerhouse, well-known for being the birthplace of American breweries and hosting the 1904 World’s Fair and Olympic Games (yes, both in the same year). Today, you can still feel those layers of history woven into the city's many distinct neighborhoods, architecture, sports culture, and everyday life.
Popular St. Louis Neighborhoods
St. Louis has no shortage of distinct, personality-filled neighborhoods, each offering something a little different depending on your lifestyle, commute, and budget. Here are some top local favorites to help you get started.
Central West End (CWE)
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,256 | $725 | $3,000 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,679 | $701 | $6,059 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $2,128 | $750 | $9,426 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,975 | $999 | $10,000+ |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $2,693 | $1,400 | $3,600 |
If you’re looking for a lively, walkable neighborhood with plenty of student-friendly energy, CWE is hard to beat. Its location next to Washington University’s medical campus — and a quick hop from Saint Louis University — means cafes, study spots, and late-night bites are always close by. Housing ranges from polished high-rise apartments to historic brick homes, and Forest Park sits right across the street for easy access to trails and green space. And if you're into holidays, the annual CWE Halloween street party and Christmas Window Walk are among the city’s most beloved seasonal events.
Shaw & Tower Grove
Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Shaw
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,025 | $650 | $1,280 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,236 | $800 | $1,478 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,705 | $980 | $2,255 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,622 | $1,395 | $1,850 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,606 | $1,437 | $1,775 |
Just a few minutes south of Central West End, Shaw and Tower Grove offer a more residential feel while still being firmly connected to the city. The Missouri Botanical Garden and Tower Grove Park anchor the area, and weekend farmers markets draw big neighborhood crowds. Tree-lined streets, stately homes, and a strong community vibe attract residents who want a quieter home base. Also, when you're in this area for any reason, ducking into The Hill, St. Louis' "Little Italy," for pastries, pizza, or sub sandwiches is practically a requirement. My family's go-tos for all of the above? Eovaldi's Deli and Missouri Baking Company for pastries, Anthonino's and Guido's for pizza, and Gioia's and Adriana's for subs.
Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Tower Grove
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $965 | $700 | $1,950 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,192 | $800 | $1,585 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,590 | $1,350 | $1,995 |
Forest Park
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,311 | $725 | $1,805 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,632 | $865 | $2,995 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $2,021 | $1,000 | $3,505 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $2,442 | $1,695 | $3,424 |
If living steps from the city's crown jewel appeals to you, Forest Park delivers in spades. A visually striking mixture of historic mansions, low-slung brick bungalows, apartments, and condos line quieter side streets, while the neighborhood's namesake park — one of the largest in the U.S. (close to double Central Park in New York City) — serves as an outdoor living room with its world-class (and always free!) zoo, museums, and summertime concerts. Restaurants run the gamut from casual brunch to upscale date-night spots.
Midtown
Midtown has seen major reinvestment over the last decade or so, transforming old warehouses into hip industrial-chis lofts and welcoming new apartment communities alongside a growing lineup of restaurants and entertainment. The Foundry is a standout, offering food stalls, local shops, and hangout space in a single modern market. Add in the Fox Theatre, the Grand Center Arts District, and quick access to Saint Louis University, and you’ve got a central, commuter-friendly neighborhood with tons to do — plus convenient access to highways for weekend getaways.
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,110 | $775 | $1,695 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,601 | $437 | $2,143 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,838 | $935 | $2,895 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $3,085 | $1,720 | $4,550 |
Getting Around St. Louis
How you navigate St. Louis depends largely on where you live. If you’re based downtown or near major employment or university hubs like the CWE or Midtown, it’s entirely possible to get around without a car thanks to walkable streets, nearby amenities, and reliable public transportation connections. MetroLink makes it easy to reach top attractions, college campuses, shopping centers, and Lambert International Airport (with direct international flights to destinations in Canada and Mexico, as well as Frankfurt, Germany; Jamaica; and the Dominican Republic), while the city's bus system fills in many of the gaps across the city and inner suburbs. That said, St. Louis is fairly spread out, and many residents still prefer having a car for commuting or errands — not to mention weekend road trips.
Particularly for a major city, traffic is generally manageable except during weekday rush hour, with eastbound I-64 especially getting notoriously congested. Living closer to the city core often means shorter, easier drives during these times, but on the flip side, comes with parking hassles and increased traffic and crowds during concerts and sporting events. Amtrak’s Gateway Station offers regional train service for quick trips to Chicago or Kansas City, and wide streets plus an abundance of parking garages make navigating the city at least marginally less stressful than many major metros.
Top Things to See and Do in St. Louis
St. Louis has loads of iconic attractions and landmarks, but the real magic comes from combining the big-name stops with some under-the-radar gems. Start with the essentials: the Gateway Arch is every bit as impressive in person (honestly, we thought even more so the first time we saw it), and riding the tiny pod-like elevator to the top is a quintessential St. Louis experience. Don't miss the surprisingly robust museum at the base level. Forest Park is another must. At over 1,300 acres, it’s home to the Saint Louis Zoo, the Art Museum, the Science Center, the unique outdoor Muny (Municipal Opera Theatre), and some of the best walking and biking trails in the city. If you’re up for a quick detour across the river, the Cahokia Mounds UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Illinous side offers a fascinating look at the region’s ancient Mississippian culture.
Baseball fans (and really, even non-fans) should catch a Cardinals game at Busch Stadium for the downtown skyline views alone. You can also cheer on the St. Louis Blues hockey team or the St. Louis CITY SC men's professional soccer team. Just don't ask about NFL football; it's a sore subject. But if you want something completely unique to St. Louis, head to City Museum. It’s absolutely nothing like a traditional museum; instead part playground, part art installation, and part architectural fever dream: tunnels, slides, planes, and a school bus balanced on the roof.
Route 66 history runs deep here, and several classic stops are still alive and well. Crown Candy Kitchen, one of the tiniest old-fashioned soda fountains you’ll ever see, serves towering BLTs and milkshakes, plus sells tons of made-in-house chocolate and candy. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard is a summer rite of passage (the line moves fast, I promise). Cash-only Carl’s Drive-In is straight out of the 1950s, serving up deliciously greasy smash burgers, the Chain of Rocks Bridge offers river views from the old pedestrian span, and the impressive National Museum of Transportation is packed with railcars, engines, and historic vehicles.
Round out your day with a tour of the historic Anheuser-Busch Brewery. Even if you’re not a beer drinker, the architecture, majestic Clydesdale horses, and glimpse into one of America’s oldest brewing operations make it worth the trip.
Urban Recreation in The Lou
This city surprises many a newcomer with how rich and varied its outdoor scene is. Trust me, we came from southern Arizona, which has arguably some of the best urban hiking and year-round recreation anywhere — we were more than a little skeptical! The metro's growing network of greenways stretches for well over 120 miles, weaving along rivers and creeks and giving walkers, runners, and cyclists a front-row seat to the area’s waterways. If you like staying close to the city core, the St. Vincent and Centennial Greenways connect directly into the Forest Park area. Prefer something quieter and more wooded? Head for the Busch Greenway near the Katy Trail or the Meramec Greenway along the Al Foster Trail.
Forest Park and Tower Grove Park are the city’s everyday backyards, but St. Louis has far more variety than those. Castlewood State Park offers bluff-top views of the Meramec River that feel worlds away from the city, while Lone Elk Park brings the rare chance to spot wild elk, bison, and turkeys on an easy loop drive. Laumeier Sculpture Park blends art and nature with open-air installations scattered across forested trails, and the Missouri Botanical Garden transports you to lush, meticulously maintained exotic gardens in every season.
Hikers have no shortage of favorite local trails, from the quiet paths through Kennedy Forest, a JFK memorial, in Forest Park to the scenic River Scene Trail at Castlewood and the rugged Lime Kiln Trail nearby. And in a fun, truly unexpected twist in a Midwestern city, you can even ski here — really. Hidden Valley Ski Area offers winter runs across 15 trails and two peaks with a solid 320-foot vertical.
St. Louis Weather
St. Louis has a true four-season climate, with humid, hot summers (hotter than many newcomers expect) and winters that can — do, sometimes rapidly — swing from mild to frigid. Most rain falls in the spring and early summer, while winter brings somewhat regular light snow and more rare heavier storms that actually blanket the city in white. Fall and late spring are the most comfortable times of year, with plenty of mild days. Depending on your apartment and location, you can often go long stretches in these shoulder seasons without relying much on heat or air-conditioning, adding to the city's affordability factor.
Local Industry and the St. Louis Job Market
St. Louis has a diverse economy anchored primarily by healthcare, higher education, aerospace, and a handful of niche industries that have shaped the region for several generations. BJC HealthCare, short for Barnes-Jewish Christian Health System, and SSM Health, are two of the area’s biggest employers, with tens of thousands of employees working across multiple hospitals, specialty medical facilities and clinics, and research centers across the city. Washington University is another major pillar, drawing faculty, staff, and students to its expansive campus along the city–county line sandwiched between Forest Park and the upscale suburb of Clayton.
Aerospace plays a huge role here, too. Boeing’s St. Louis operations support thousands of jobs in engineering, defense, and advanced technology, with offices near the airport and close to many of the city’s most convenient neighborhoods. Then there’s Anheuser-Busch — part brewery, part cultural landmark and central to the history of not just St. Louis but the United States — whose presence in both downtown and the Soulard neighborhood attracts a proud local workforce along with many tourists.
