St. Louis sits at what has been determined to be the geographic center of the lower peninsula, which resembles a mitten -- locals often tell people that they live in the middle of the mitten.
St. Louis Michigan, not to be confused with the one in Missouri, is a small town with just over 7,000 people. What makes this town incredibly unique is that it's happy being a small town. The people here are welcoming and are genuinely pleased to meet newcomers. Part of the reason for this is that this town doesn't wait for some bigger city or the state to improve or entertain them. There is a wide variety of community activities, plenty of places to shop, and a great deal to do without venturing out of this town. You do need to be aware of the climate. If you are from a more southern location be prepared for extremely cold and snowy winters. Summers are fairly mild but still hot enough to make swimming a favorite way to spend the afternoon. Bring your parka, a couple of snow shovels, and get ready to enjoy your new home!
Moving to St. Louis
This is a small town and the typical small town hospitality is at play here. People assume that you are going to be here for years and that you are honest. You will get the benefit of the doubt in most cases. Because of this, renting is usually a breeze. A few apartment complexes and maybe condo rentals will have you fill out an application and then run a soft credit check. Most individuals will just take your money and hand you a key. They may even offer to help you move! The obligatory first and last month's rent will apply here, and occasionally a security deposit. If you have pets, an apartment complex may ask for a deposit, but rental homes rarely do.
Neighborhoods in St. Louis
Once you've decided to make the move to St. Louis (good decision!), you'll want to check on the different neighborhoods to decide which one tickles your fancy.
Hubbard: This is a large expanse of land, apartment complexes, and family homes. You will find three- to four-bedroom homes here and everything from studio to 4 bedroom apartments and town homes. The single family homes will typically have large yards and driveways. Driveways need to be shoveled in the winter; remember that.
City Center: This is the original part of the town where you will find the older and more established homes. Don't expect to find 1 bedroom apartments here. If you find a vacancy in an apartment complex at all in this area you are going to be looking at 2 bedroom apartments at the very least. The norm here is 3 bedroom apartments and single family homes with 3-4 bedrooms.
Living in St. Louis
After you have unpacked and gotten a good night sleep, you are going to want to take a look around your new town. This is a great place for just taking a walk and looking around. You will find some great shops like Woody's Music and Sweet Water Acres, a candle store. It's a diverse array of shops and you are find something unique to decorate your new home with or perhaps start a new collection. There are also great walking trails around the river so be sure to check those out if you like to walk.
If you head down Washington street you will find Tony's Home of the Giant Steak Sandwich! It's pretty fantastic and you will burn off most of the calories walking around. Looking for something more formal? Try Francesco's Italian American Bistro for outstanding filets with spaghetti! For a nice casual place to get a great meal, head over to Petticoat Junction. If you are looking for healthy options you will love their vast unlimited salad bar. If you aren't the least bit worried about your health, then go for the steak and potato stacker. You can eat the leftovers for breakfast!
The best place to meet friends for drinks and maybe a light dinner is O'Kelly's Sports Bar and Grill. The food is hot, the beer is cold and the games are playing on the big screen! If you are looking for something a bit more out of the way, hit the Ghost Town Saloon for drinks. This friendly bar features a saloon-like atmosphere and live music.
The town itself hosts many different celebrations throughout the year. There is a free fishing derby over Memorial Day weekend, The Blues Festival in July, and of course fireworks on the 4th! In the summer, during June and July, there is an Evening in the Park program that has free concerts every Saturday night in the park. This is a great way to relax with your neighbors and listen to some great music all for nothing! In November, to kick off the holiday season, there is a Christmas Open House followed on December 4th by the Lights Parade.
