St. Louis is cool (California, Houston: home, living, restaurants)

[jlroussin]

I've lived in St. Louis for 36 years, although I didn't grow up here. My parents and grandparents and greatgrandparents were all from St. Louis though, and my family and I moved back here when I was 15 years old.

There are many very great things about this place. The cost of living is very affordable. My home is all paid off, and it a good sturdy south St. Louis brick bungalow that will probably last another 200 years at least. I'm an artist and have a studio in a very cool and beautiful part of St. Louis - the Soulard area. I just love all of the old architecture here, especially the Victorian architecture. I haven't seen this anywhere else. (Of course, I haven't traveled to everywhere either, but it's certainly not in Florida or California). All in all the people here are very nice and friendly, and there are still lots of people with good old fashioned family values here. I also like that there are many churches, especially in south St. Louis. The city itself, in which I live, has many beautiful parks with very pretty pavilions. And of course, we have the world famous Missouri Botanical Gardens, which I hear is one of the best botanical gardens in the entire world!

Also, you can actually drive downtown without major stress and hassles, unlike downtown Chicago or New York. :-)


The only thing I dislike about this place is the crap-ass weather, especially this year.

[stlcitygirl]

I adore Soulard, and am lucky to live around the corner (Fox Park). I love the architecture, red brick and there is always something going on. The weather has been brutal this year, but I still do enjoy having all 4 seasons.

[jlroussin]

I've not heard of Fox Park! Where is that? What streets?

If the weather ever straightens out, perhaps this fall, you might see me out painting in Soulard with my easel on the street corner somewhere. I love to plein air paint, but since the weather has been so crazy this year, haven't done much lately.

There are so many wonderful cafes, bars, and restaurants in the Soulard area. Try Joanie's Pizza at Russell and Menard, or the Soulard Coffee Garden on Geyer, just west of 9th street. I love them both! I'm going to try some of the other places soon, too. I feel very safe in the Soulard area.

Do you have any restaurant or cafe recommendations?

[stlcitygirl]

Fox Park is:
Jefferson to the East
Nebraska to the West
44 to the North
Gravois to the South

So we are about a mile west of Soulard. My favorite places in Soulard are:
-The Farmers Market of course, nothing like having a bloody mary and listening to jazz, all as you are grocery shopping.
-Bogarts for BBQ
-Llwelyns for drinks
-Chavas for Mexican
-Hammerstones for the patio and awesome music
So many more awesome places, I can't even list them all.

[ZGare]

Originally Posted by jlroussin

The only thing I dislike about this place is the crap-ass weather, especially this year.

Every city thinks their weater is crap, except maybe San Diego. That's why every city thinks they need a domed stadium. (Houston, Tampa, Seattle, Phoenix, Dalllas, Minneapolis, Atlanta, New Orleans, San Antonio, Detroit, Milwaukee, Toronto, Indianapolis, etc.)

[glamatomic]

I love St. Louis weather... I'd take it over Australia or North Carolina's any day of the week.

but then again, we all know I'm a tad strange.

[marigolds6]

Even San Diego has the Santa Ana season, and the accompanying wildfires/down trees.