Greater Ville - Saint Louis, MO

Greater Ville began as a small North St. Louis community. With the creation of nearby Fairgrounds Park, St. Louisans started moving to the family friendly neighborhood to enjoy the park's amenities. With the closing of Sportsman's Park during the 1960s, Greater Ville lost some of its luster as one of the most vibrant St. Louis neighborhoods. Stabilization efforts led by civic leaders and community activists have restored the community as one of the best neighborhoods to live on the north side of St. Louis.

Many cultural attractions sit within close range of Greater Ville. Forest Park contains the Muny Opera, world-renowned St. Louis Zoo and the popular Jewel Box. Art lovers peruse the exhibits displayed by local artists who run galleries in the iconic Central West End. Forest Park hosts the annual Balloon Race, an event that draws participants from all over the country.

Hungry diners from all over North St. Louis converge on Natural Bridge Avenue and Martin Luther King Drive to enjoy the international flavors inspired by Greater Ville restaurants.

Mandarin Inn appeals to customers who want to experience authentic Asian cuisine, not the mass-produced faux Asian cuisine found so often at chain restaurants. Mandarin Inn receives kudos for its juicy deep friend chicken kebabs that hit you with a house spice blend without causing you to call 911 for heat relief. The crunchy egg rolls contain fresh vegetables, such as bok choy and crisp sprouts.

Cornerstone Cafe brings a mom-and-pop ambiance to Greater Ville. The restaurant, which specializes in huevos rancheros and chicken wild rice, receives praise for the personable customer service and child-friendly menu.

Known mostly as a residential neighborhood, Greater Ville does include a few nightlife hot spots that keep residents close to home. The Harlem Tap Room, just south of Greater Ville, evokes memories of the days when Charlie Parker dominated the urban music scene. This venue appeals to a wide range of ages, especially older couples who reminisce about the good old days.

A 10-minute drive lands you within the high-energy entertainment district, Laclede's Landing. Here you'll find Morgan Street Brewery, where you can dance in the lodge or sit on the patio as you relax from a long work week.

Although Greater Ville residents do not pay to park in public places, they encounter parking meters that line the streets of other St. Louis neighborhoods. The presence of parking meters and congested roads prompts many commuters to take public transportation to and from downtown St. Louis. The number 4 Natural Bridge and number 90 Hampton run through the heart of Greater Ville. Commuters also take the highly efficient light rail system, which connects to the central city bus station located in the Central West End. Cab companies all have a presence in the Central West End to accommodate hospital and restaurant originating fares. Uber has not established a stronghold in Greater Ville.

Pedestrians have access to level and spacious sidewalks on virtually every street in the neighborhood. However, bike travel presents problems for cyclists who want to ride on the busier streets, such as Natural Bridge Avenue. Most of the bike trails created by the Parks and Recreation Department meander through St. Louis city parks. Interstate 70 touches the northern edge of Greater Ville, but the interstate experiences heavy traffic congestion during rush hour. Not even rush hour lanes alleviate the traffic congestion found on the highway.

Running to the north of Natural Bridge Avenue, Fairgrounds Park promotes child-friendly activities that include a vast playground. As the second largest city park in the country, Forest Park has it all, from a 6-mile bicycle trail that encircles the park to world-class cultural attractions that keep you busy for days on end. The Muny Opera hosts a series of theatrical productions every summer under the sultry night sky. Softball players compete in regional tournaments held every year, and ice skaters apply their talents on the slick surface found at Steinberg Rink.

While attractions such as the Muny Opera charge for tickets, the St. Louis Zoo remains one of the only free zoos left in the United States. Cited for its child-friendly educational programs, the St. Louis Zoo anchors the fun found inside Forest Park. Off-leash dog parks do not operate within 5 miles of Greater Ville. You have to travel over 15 minutes to reach Wilmore Park to allow your furry friend to roam free with his canine buddies.

In addition to convenience, people commute on Metro buses and light rail cars to enjoy the affordable $2 fare. The fare gives you 2 hours of transportation, with one transfer allowed for you to reach your destination. Save more money by purchasing a monthly pass for $78, and ride buses and trains as often as you like.

The median Greater Ville rent for a one-bedroom apartment runs only $525.91, making the neighborhood one of the most affordable places to live in the entire city. As another of its many positive attributes, the low cost of living in the neighborhood sits 6 percent below the average cost of living in other St. Louis communities.

You save at the pump by living in Greater Ville, as service stations in and near the neighborhood charge on average, 8 percent less than what service stations charge for a gallon of gas throughout the country.

Neighborhood bars can afford to sell domestic drafts at prices that fall below the prices charged for domestic drafts in high-profile St. Louis bars and restaurants. Bring $2 to a Greater Ville bar, and enjoy a 12 ounce draft.

The major center of commerce lies over 10 miles away at the St. Louis Galleria located in Richmond Heights. A short jaunt down Newstead Avenue lands you in one of the most popular shopping districts in St. Louis, the Central West End. Loaded with boutiques and specialty shops, you may have trouble deciding on which stores to enter.

Adorn the bare walls in your home with one of the ornate mats sold by Indie Mats. Choose one of the handmade mat designs to bring life into your artwork and photographs. Enchanting Embellishments sells affordable furnishings that become the talk of your next cocktail party. High-end shoppers find luxurious interior decorating ideas at Arlene Lilie Interior Design.

Save-A-Lot represents truth in advertising, as the local grocer helps shoppers cut their monthly grocery budgets. Take Kingshighway about 2 miles south to shop for groceries at Straub's, a long-time St. Louis favorite that places freshness above profits. Several community farmers markets operate near Greater Ville, but by far the best farmers market in the area operates within historic Soulard. The market stays open throughout the year.