Thinking about moving to St. Louis with your family? The Gateway to the West offers affordable housing options, plenty of family-friendly activities, and top-rated schools. Check out these top five neighborhoods in St. Louis for families!
Hi-Pointe
Photo via @rickwiese
- Home Price: $116,000 median purchase price, $909 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 94% of St. Louis neighborhoods
Commonly grouped together with Franz Park and Clayton-Tamm to form an area referred to as “Dogtown,” Hi-Pointe is a great neighborhood for families in St. Louis. This safe, close-knit community offers renovated bungalows and historic brick homes just south of Forest Park and is known for its Irish heritage and events like the Hibernian St. Patrick’s Day Parade. In addition, Hi-Pointe is close to excellent schools within the School District of Clayton like Glenridge Elementary School and Clayton High School, as well as top universities like Washington University in St. Louis, Concordia Seminary, and Fontbonne University.
Things to Do in Hi-Pointe
Spend a Friday evening at the Saint Louis Zoo for Family Fun Friday Nights and enjoy free admission as well as magicians, jugglers, and other entertainers as you stroll through the animal exhibits. Look at the current art exhibitions or enroll the kids in an art class at the Saint Louis Art Museum. Hike, bike, or bird watch with the family at Kennedy Forest. Enjoy a movie night at Hi-Pointe Theater to watch a new release or vintage classic. Go out for Burgers, Sweet Potato Tots, and Dreamsicle Milkshakes at Hi-Pointe Drive-In. Try Vietnamese dishes at Dou Dou Cafe like Spring Rolls, Spicy Lemon Grass Beef Noodle Soup, and Chicken Noodle Salad. Have Warm Mixed Olives, Mushroom and Truffle Pizza, and Mafalda at sleek gastropub Basso. Or have a date night at Boundary and order some Oyster Rockefeller, Sea Scallops, and Brisket.
The Hill
Photo via @jessicatumminellostlrealestate
- Home Price: $142,367 median purchase price, $908 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 51% of St. Louis neighborhoods
Situated on an actual hill between Forest Park and Tower Grove Park, The Hill is an affordable, family-friendly neighborhood in St. Louis. There’s a strong sense of community in this STL area, thanks to its Italian roots, which are present in everything from the neighborhood’s annual Italian Heritage Parade to its family-owned markets and restaurants—even fire hydrants in The Hill are painted red, white, and green! Not to mention, families have access to good schools like Gateway STEM High School and St. Louis University High School.
Things to Do in The Hill
Have a picnic near the fountain, hang out on the playground, or play a game of baseball at Berra Park. Head to Futbol Club STL to take part in a pick-up soccer game or sign the kids up for a Youth Soccer Camp. See health-focused exhibits like the World’s Largest Fiberglass Teeth or The Interactive Dude at HealthWorks! Kids’ Museum St. Louis. Tour Herbaria soap factory and take home some homemade soap products. Get the day started with a Caffe Caramel Mocha or Berry Berry Smoothie from Shaw’s Coffee. Go to J. Smugs GastroPit, a filling station turned BBQ joint, for Cheese Stuffed Smoked Meatballs, Pulled Pork Sandwiches, and Brisket Burnt Ends. Eat Austin-style Tex-Mex like Skirt Steak Street Tacos and Nachos Supreme at Taco Circus. Sneak away for dinner at Mama’s on The Hill and order some authentic Italian food like Eggplant Parmigiana, Rigatoni Primavera, and Tilapia Bianco.
Lindenwood Park
Photo via @lourealtygroup
- Home Price: $154,377 median purchase price, $736 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 87% of St. Louis neighborhoods
Lindenwood Park is one of the best St. Louis neighborhoods for families that want a quieter, more suburban lifestyle. Not only does this Southwest STL neighborhood have low crime rates and affordable housing options ranging from brick bungalows to gingerbread-style homes, but it’s also close to several magnet and private schools, including South City Catholic Academy, Gateway Science Academy of St. Louis, and Mallinckrodt Academy of Gifted Instruction.
Things to Do in Lindenwood Park
Visit the neighborhood’s namesake, Lindenwood Park, and walk on the trails, play tennis, or hang out on the playground. Shop new and vintage comics, trading cards, and toys at All American Collectables. Head to Shrewsbury Lanes for a family bowling night. Take the kids to Escape St. Louis and choose a Wizard or Carnival-themed escape room. Grab sandwiches like the Mom’s Special, the Beef and Cheddar, and the Pastrami from Mom’s Deli. Have farm-to-table eats at FarmHaus Restaurant and try the Gazpacho, Potato & Herb Pierogi, or Schewe Meatloaf. Devour some Italian dishes like Chicken Saltimbocca and Grilled Salmon Primavera at Pietro’s. Or pick up a Cherry Cola or Wedding Cake shaved ice treat from Murray’s Shaved Ice!
Shaw
Photo via @hostmanj
- Home Price: $209,833 median purchase price, $910 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 80% of St. Louis neighborhoods
Looking for a gorgeous, historic neighborhood in The Lou for your family to call home? Don’t pass up on Shaw! With large American Foursquare and Victorian-style homes, community events like the Historic Shaw Art Fair, good walkability, and well-rated schools like Mullanphy-Botanical Garden ILC and St. Margaret of Scotland School, it’s easy to see why this is a desirable neighborhood for families. In addition, Shaw is just north of Tower Grove Park, where families can spend time outdoors and visit the Tower Grove Farmers Market.
Things to Do in Shaw
Tour the Missouri Botanical Garden and see art sculptures from different themed areas like the Children’s Garden, Japanese Garden, and Linnean House. Let your furry friend run and play at the Shaw Dog Park. Get a relaxing massage or try out a yoga class at Align Massage & Yoga Studio. Go shopping at Bonboni Mercantile Co. and pick up art prints, books, baby clothes, and more. Start the day with a Cold Brew Coffee, Moon Goddess Ubé Tea Latte, and Apple & Brie Loaded Toast from Fiddlehead Fern Cafe. Order food from Five Aces Bar-B-Que, where you can try Baby Back Ribs, a Smoked Philly, and Smoked Wings. Have dinner at Thurman’s in Shaw and get the Hoosier Gyro with Smoked Garlic Bologna. Try flash-churned nitro ice cream flavors like Peanut Butter Chocolate, Cherry Cordial, and Rocky Road from Ices Plain & Fancy.
Skinker DeBaliviere
Photo via @boxdorferspringerteam
- Home Price: $271,467 median purchase price, $1,082 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 57% of St. Louis neighborhoods
Located north of Forest Park near Wash U, Skinker DeBaliviere is one of the best places in St. Louis for families. Not only are there great schools like St. Roch Catholic School and Hamilton Elementary School nearby, but this family-friendly area also has a wide range of affordable housing options, including large Tudor and American Foursquare houses. Skinker DeBaliviere is also close to Delmar Loop in University City, where families can find all kinds of local shopping, dining, and kid-friendly entertainment.
Things to Do in Skinker DeBaliviere
Attend free community events like Porchfest STL and Rags to Riches. Play one of the three 9-hole courses at Forest Park Golf Course. Visit the Missouri History Museum to see exhibits like The 1904 World’s Fair, Seeking St. Louis, and the History Clubhouse. See indie music acts like Grouplove, Blue October, and Dashboard Confessional perform at The Pageant. Schedule your child’s birthday party at Pin-Up Bowl, a retro-themed bowling alley. Try different ramen bowls like Nami Signature Tonkotsu, Jigoku Ramen, and Volcano Ramen from Nami Ramen. Go to Macks Bar and Grill for tasty bites like the Hot n’ Spicy Burger or Loaded Nachos. Or visit K Bop STL food truck and try their signature Cup Bops with Teriyaki Chicken or Pork Katsu Bop.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
