Lake Saint Louis, MO

Approximately 15,000 people reside in Lake Saint Louis, a small, yet esteemed city located in the western part of Saint Charles County, The city got its start as a private community in 1966, but in 1975, this recreational region became an official city.

Lake Saint Louis visitors and residents focus on keeping fit by swimming, golfing and playing tennis, and the city regularly hosts 5K races and triathlons. The city also supports creative endeavors, and residents can view local artwork at the Lake Saint Louis Community Association Clubhouse.

Though lacking in museums of its own, Lake Saint Louis residents can take advantage of the art and history museums located less than an hour away in downtown Saint Louis. For the Fourth of July, head to O’Fallon, the neighboring city, for the annual Freedom Fest and fireworks show.

Dine on sushi, Mexican or American favorites when you visit the sit-down restaurants in Lake Saint Louis. The city also has several chain restaurants that provide quick, affordable meals, including a Panera Bread and a Domino’s Pizza.

Sushi Sen serves up authentic Japanese cuisine, including crab-filled California rolls and batter-fried vegetable tempura. Try a bowl of savory, red-bean ice cream after your meal as an alternative to the fudge-drenched cones and sprinkle-topped sundaes found at other dining establishments. BC’s Kitchen has a homey atmosphere that makes it great for families or first dates, and the eatery serves fresh fruit with kid’s meals rather than traditional fried favorites. Visit Los Portales for crunchy tacos and fresh, house-made salsa, but skip the restaurant during dinnertime if you need to get to post-dinner plans in a hurry; service can be slow.

Lake Saint Louis does not have a well-known nightlife scene, but residents can travel to downtown Saint Charles or St. Louis for a large selection of music venues, bars and dance clubs.

Public transportation and services such as Uber do not exist in this small city, but folks still find it easy to get around. Lake Saint Louis covers less than 9 square miles, so fitness-minded individuals can bike from one side of the community to the other. If bad weather strikes or you prefer to travel via automobile, you can drive your personal vehicle through the safe streets of Lake Saint Louis or book a taxi cab. Commute easily to Clayton or downtown St. Louis via I-64.

Some of the neighborhood and main streets have spacious sidewalks with plenty of room for jogging strollers or toddler-filled wagons. Bike lanes are available on some streets, though residents can bike in traffic-free areas by peddling down the paths in local parks.

Lake Saint Louis has several large parks, and admission is free unless you need to reserve a pavilion or rent the amphitheatre for an event. The city’s largest park, Founders Park Sports Complex, has soccer fields, baseball diamonds and walking fields that sprawl over a grassy 55 acres. Folks generally visit this park to watch or participate in a sporting event, but the park also has playgrounds and picnic tables for family-friendly gatherings.

Boulevard Park covers 20 acres and has numerous amenities for families, including a special toddler playground. Dogs can join the family on the park’s walking trails. For a small fee, the park's large pavilion has plenty of space for birthday parties and baby showers. This park sometimes hosts small concerts and local festivals during the summer.

Residents of Lake Saint Louis earn an average annual salary more than $30,000 higher than the Missouri average. The city rarely has one-bedroom rentals available, but residents can rent a one-bedroom for around $1300 a month. The Saint Louis rental average for rental costs runs nearly $450 lower than the price for a rental in the Lake Saint Louis area, but living in a safe, close-knit community with scenic surroundings helps justify higher rental prices for the city’s residents. Although rent is higher than other areas, Lake Saint Louis has reasonable gas prices that average around 12 percent less than the national average. Prices for domestic drafts also fall below the national average, with residents of the Saint Louis metro area paying around $3 for a beer that might cost $3.50 or more in other parts of the country.

Folks from all over Saint Charles County and Saint Louis County drive to Lake Saint Louis to shop at The Meadows. An upscale, open-air mall, The Meadows sells everything from designer clothing to toddler toys. The shopping center has the only Aveda Salon in the area, as well as familiar favorites like Old Navy and Claire’s Boutique. The Meadows also regularly hosts special events, such as fundraisers and concerts, as well as the popular Farmers and Artists Market.

Although Lake Saint Louis does not have many local boutiques or specialty stores, residents can find handmade goods, including clothing, soap and jewelry, at the weekly Farmers and Artists market. A Sparkly Life sets up a booth nearly every Saturday at the market, and shoppers can find cute, crafty pieces on display, including tutus and hair bows.

Many Lake Saint Louis inhabitants stock up on raw-milk cheese, organic produce and fresh-baked cinnamon rolls at the Farmers and Artists market each week, but shoppers can also fill their pantries with goods from Schnucks, a local grocery store chain.The city also has an ALDI and a Walmart Supercenter.