The Lou for Less: Big City Perks Without the Big City Price Tag
Here at Village Royale Apartments, located just southwest of the city in Sappington, MO, we are passionate advocates for the famous Gateway City. Lets take a look at the many reasons why St. Louis is one the nations best places to call home.
Live Large for Less: Housing and Cost of Living
Renting in St. Louis is consistently more affordable when compared to the rest of the U.S. Overall, St. Louis's cost of living index sits at 88.7 against the national baseline of 100, giving you significantly more purchasing power whether you're leasing a modern loft by the river or owning a historic brownstone in Lafayette Square.
Neighborhood Spotlights
● The Central West End: Tree-lined streets meet boutique shops, Michelin-rated dining, and easy access to Forest Park's trails and museums.
● The Grove: A colorful nightlife corridor where mural-lined blocks host craft breweries, indie galleries, and late-night tacos.
● Lafayette Square: Victorian-era charm surrounds a historic park, with cozy cafés, weekly farmers markets, and stroll-ready brick sidewalks.
Dive into winding streets and discover which neighborhood's rhythm matches yours—whether that's sipping espresso beneath oaks in the Central West End, chasing murals and microbrews in The Grove, or browsing farmers markets by gaslight in Lafayette Square. Each corner of the city offers its own blend of community: friendly faces, cozy spots, and small moments that make the city feel like home.
Getting Around the Lou MetroLink's two light-rail lines connect downtown, the Central West End, Clayton, and the airport. Bus routes fill in gaps across north and south city limits. If you drive, parking apps like ParkMobile make metered spots a breeze—try using the Cupples Station lots if you want to kick off your downtown day with a quick train ride.
Getting Around the Lou
MetroLink's two light-rail lines connect downtown, the Central West End, Clayton, and the airport. Bus routes fill in gaps across north and south city limits. If you drive, parking apps like ParkMobile make metered spots a breeze—try using the Cupples Station lots if you want to kick off your downtown day with a quick train ride.Did you know? St. Louis is affectionately known as "The Lou," a nickname popularized by rapper Nelly's 2000 hit "Country Grammar" and embraced citywide as a shorthand for hometown pride.
Where Work and Learning Intersect
St. Louis pulses with possibility—from the buzzing biotech labs around Cortex to the sleek financial towers downtown. Companies like BJC HealthCare and Edward Jones feel more like communities than cubicle farms, complete with green courtyards, on-site cafés, and shuttles that turn your commute into casual conversation. Washington University and Saint Louis University aren't isolated ivory towers—they throw open their doors to art exhibitions, evening lectures, and hands-on research that spills into neighborhood cafés and labs. Here, what you learn in class and discover through campus events directly fuels your career—and keeps your academic journey constantly evolving. Who knows, you may even find yourself in the club box at one of the Lou's many sporting events with your classmates or colleagues.Lou's Can't Miss Sports Lineup
Game day in St. Louis. You'll find baristas pausing mid-pour at the Cardinals' first pitch, phones trying to grab one of the Blues' slap shots, and passerby shouting out City SC chants. From innings and goals to anthems and touchdowns, our teams give us every reason to come together and cheer. Here are the ones we rally behind:
● St. Louis Cardinals—Major League Baseball team, established 1882, winner of 11 World Series titles
● St. Louis Blues—National Hockey League team, established 1967, Stanley Cup champions once (2019)
● St. Louis City SC—Major League Soccer expansion team, began play in 2023
● St. Louis BattleHawks—merged with the USFL to form the United Football League (UFL), which kicked off its second season on March 28, 2025
Seasonal Celebrations and Insider Tips
● Winter (February): Soulard's Mardi Gras lights up Broadway with colorful floats and Bourbon punch.
● Spring (April–May): Stroll Forest Park on free museum days, then head to Cherokee Street for homemade souvlaki at the Greek Festival.
● Summer (August Fridays): Pack a picnic for the free Blues concerts under the Arch, and catch Ballpark Village's late-summer street-food pop-ups.
● Fall (September–October): Sip hard cider at Tower Grove Park's Frizz Fest and climb aboard Union Station's Polar Express holiday trains.
Insider tip: Park free at Cupples Station, hop on MetroLink, and roll into downtown refreshed—no stress, all adventure.
Ready to Make St. Louis Home?
Are you ready to make it official and find your next home in St. Louis? Then give us a visit at Village Royale Apartments, one of the city’s premier living communities. Our 1 and 2 bedroom floor plans are designed with the perfect balance of comfort, style, and spaciousness, giving residents the space they need to thrive. Schedule your today and experience the heart of home at Village Royale Apartments.
Remember, St. Louis isn't just another place you move to— it's a city you'll continue to discover again and again.