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Moving to The Lou? The Local's Guide to the Best Suburbs in St. Louis, MO

Moving to St. Louis is a huge and exciting step. Many newcomers are looking for the perfect suburban community that still provides access to the city. The greater St. Louis area has many suburbs and neighborhoods to choose from, each with their own unique flair. Researching all the different suburbs on your own can be overwhelming, which is why our team here at Heritage Estates, Affton, MOs premier apartment community, has put together a list of the best suburban neighborhoods that St. Louis has to offer.

Lets dive in and find out which area is right for you.


Ballwin

Ballwin is one of the best suburbs in St. Louis for public education. This suburb is served by two school districts: Rockwood and Parkway. According to Niche, Rockwood is given an impressive rating of A+, and is ranked as the third-best district in the whole state. The Rockwood School District is well known for having excellent teachers and a robust curriculum. Parkway School District also has high marks, earning an A grade and ranked as the 8th best district in Missouri.

Ballwin has a favorable cost of living. When compared to other highly rated suburbs, Ballwin has a comparable cost of living. The median home value of this suburb is below the national average, making home ownership more accessible.

Most residents commute to work. Popular industries in the greater St. Louis area include healthcare, finance, and technology. Driving from Ballwin to downtown Saint Louis takes about 30 minutes in good traffic.
A man and woman are walking hand in hand in front of a house.

Affton

Affton provides an established, close-knit community that is much closer to downtown St. Louis. Driving downtown typically takes about 20 minutes in good traffic. With this prime location, residents can enjoy the sense of community that comes with the suburbs while also being within reach of city amenities.

The suburb is within the Affton School District. Affton holds a respectable B grade from Niche. The district receives high marks for teachers, college prep, and has an impressive student-to-teacher ratio of 14 to 1. Affton has a favorable cost of living when compared to the other suburbs. This is particularly true for median house costs and median rents, making it a great place to save money and live frugally.

Most residents in Affton commute for work, accessing major industries that are available in the greater metro area. According to indeed, the biggest employers in the Saint Louis area are Anheuser-Busch InBev, BJC Healthcare, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Centene, and Edward Jones.



Sappington

Sappington is an unincorporated community in St. Louis County. It is the ideal place for those who value a quiet residential area with a focus on community and education. Students are served by the Lindberg School District, which holds an A grade from Niche and is ranked as the 20th best district in Missouri. Academics, teachers, college prep, and after-school programs all receive high praise in this school district. The student-teacher ratio is an impressive 16 to 1.

Sappington has a cost of living that is comparable to the rest of St Louis County. There is a good mix of housing options, making it easier to purchase a home on a tight budget. As such, the homeownership rate in Sappington is high. The median home value is a touch high, but with the mix of options, most homebuyers can find something within their budget.

Sappington is predominantly a residential community. As such, most residents commute for work. However, this suburb is only about a 20-minute drive to downtown, making it accessible to high-paying jobs. Most employees in Sappington work in retail or the service industry that caters to local residents.

A man walking his dog on a leaf-covered street.

Fenton

If you love walking in parks and want a short commute to work, Fenton is the suburb for you. Fenton is well known for its extensive park system, making it a fantastic suburb for those who love the great outdoors.Fenton is predominantly covered by the prestigious Rockwood School District. According to Niche, this is the third-best district in the whole state and holds an impressive A+ grade. Academics, teachers, after-school programs, college prep, and the administration are all highly reviewed at Rockwood.

Fenton is slightly further from the downtown area and will take about a 30-minute drive in good traffic. However, this distance makes Fenton slightly more affordable than other options on the list. Unlike the other suburbs, residents in Fenton can find high-paying jobs without needing to commute very far. Fenton is a major manufacturing location, providing good jobs in skilled trades, distribution, and logistics. Additionally, there are several corporate offices in Fenton.



Creve Coeur

Creve Coeur is probably the most affluent suburb on this list. It is the perfect place to call home for those who seek a high-end lifestyle in a beautiful neighborhood. Most of Creve Coeur is covered by the highly acclaimed Ladue School District. Niche ranks Laude as the number one school district in Missouri and has impeccable ratings in just about every category.

While Creve Coeur is beautiful, it is not the place for the frugally minded. It is one of the most expensive suburbs in St. Louis and even has a higher cost of living than the national average. Though expensive, Creve Coeur does offer high-paying jobs, making it a good place for those who like short commutes. According to the city's website, residents can find competitive salaries with Bayer, Mercy Hospital, Thomson Reuters, and several IT consulting firms with international clients.

Three women walking down a sidewalk.

Move Into One of the Best Suburbs of St Louis, MO and Move into Heritage States Apartments

If you’re looking for your next home in one of St. Louis’ favorite suburbs, then visit us at Heritage Estates Apartments. Our 1 and 2 bedroom apartments tastefully balance comfort, style, and spaciousness to create an exceptional living experience. Residents gain access to exclusive amenities like an outdoor swimming pool, a well-equipped fitness center, two enclosed dog parks, a multifaceted sport court, and more. Schedule your tour today and discover Heritage Estates Apartments— the good life lives here.

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