Norwood Court - Saint Louis, MO

Norwood Court has always operated as an unincorporated neighborhood in St. Louis County. For years, the neighborhood did not have a name, but that changed when construction on the sprawling Norwood Court apartment complex expanded the size of the small community. College students from nearby UMSL changed the demographics of the neighborhood. Many students that graduate move out of the Norwood Court apartments and buy properties within the community.

The convenient access to public transportation and interstates means you can visit a world-class art museum in Forest Park and attend a theatrical production at the hallowed Muny Opera. Norwood Court residents attend annual events put on by nearby communities, as the community does not have a formal government to fund and organize large events.

When Norwood Court residents want to get their groove on, they have several dance and nightclub options within a few miles of their homes. If you want to dance the night away, head to the Pepper Lounge downtown. This place mixes up rap, EDM and other dance music in an energetic atmosphere. Sip on cocktails in between sets, and be prepared to get close to others; the dance floor here is small.

Although Norwood Court residents can dine in corporate chain restaurants such as Applebee's and Chili's, the area surrounding the quiet neighborhood includes several independent restaurant operators that offer a diverse array of cuisines. Highly rated Ruiz Mexican Restaurant blows away chain Mexican restaurant cuisine by creating authentic dishes that incorporate fresh spices and vegetables. Try the jalapeno frijole dip for starters before diving into a sizzling hot plate of spicy sausage fajitas. This affordable Mexican restaurant overflows with customers on the weekends, which means Norwood Court residents should arrive early to secure tables.

Located just a few minutes away from Norwood Court, Lombardo's Restaurant serves Italian specialties that are surprisingly affordable. The first time you visit the iconic St. Louis County restaurant, try the linguine Lombardo with a glass of house chianti. Peking Chop Suey on Old Halls Ferry has earned critical praise for its crisp egg rolls that burst with flavor.

Leave your car at home, and walk a short distance to catch the Metro train heading to downtown St. Louis. Wide sidewalks on both sides of Lucas & Hunt and Natural Bridge Road take you to one of two UMSL Metro stops. Trains stop every five minutes or so during peak hours. Several bus lines run through St. Louis County, including the number 74 Florissant, number 64 Lucas Hunt and number 4 Natural Bridge. Motorists who live in Norwood Court need only a couple of minutes to reach Interstate 70, which cuts through the heart of north St. Louis to downtown. Interstate 70 also heads west to Interstate 170, the main transportation artery for travelers between Clayton and the airport.

Other modes of transportation can be hit-and-miss propositions. Cycling through Norwood Court requires you to ride on the sidewalk, which local ordinances prohibit. Because of its close proximity to major thoroughfares and public transportation, Norwood Court does not attract many visits from car-share service such as Uber. However, cab service abounds near Norwood Court, as cabbies make frequent trips to and from the airport. You can draw a circle that reaches out for 3 miles and not find any location that charges for parking. Of course, that changes once you reach the airport.

Norwood Court sits among several parcels of open land, but the land belongs to cemeteries and educational venues. Residents have to travel a few miles to find a St. Louis County park that meets their recreational needs.

The North County Recreation Complex offers both indoor and outdoor recreational activities to stimulate your competitive juices. Eleven-acre Castlepoint Park sits within a dense wooded area that attracts a wide variety of wildlife. Walking trails take you deep into the forest to harmonize with Mother Nature. Most of the parks located in St. Louis County do not charge admission fees, except for fees to participate in organized leagues and tournaments.

Canine lovers take their furry friends to Duchesne Park located just off Lindbergh Boulevard in Florissant. Norwood Court residents choose among the nearby communities to partake in annual events, such as the Holiday Lights celebration held every December in Hazelwood. The St. Louis Art Fair held every September in Clayton combines stunning artistic visions with the finest cuisine available in the St. Louis area.

Students and anyone else who wants to live in a budget friendly community should love Norwood Court. The average price for a one-bedroom apartment is $500.10 per month. Residents enjoy a cost of living that hovers around 10 percent lower than the national average and 3 percent lower than the average cost of living in other St. Louis area neighborhoods.

Public transportation on buses or light rail costs $2 for a two-hour trip. The cost for gas in Norwood Court is about 23 percent below the average nationwide. A glass of domestic beer typically runs about $2.50 in local bars.

Norwood Court residents must travel outside of the community to shop for groceries. Schnucks operates grocery stores all over St. Louis County, with Bridgeton and Florissant providing Norwood Court residents with the closest Schnuck's shopping options. Schnucks sells freshly prepared hot meals that busy Norwood Court residents can eat on the fly. For the organically inclined, take Interstate 70 downtown to shop at Historic Soulard Farmers Market.

The St. Louis Galleria is the closest major commerce center for Norwood Court residents. You can shop at several high-end stores that anchor the Richmond Heights shopping mall or eschew big-box retailers all together for the quaint charm of shopping at nearby boutiques and specialty stores. A little bungalow called Andrea's Boutique gives women the chance to browse among vintage clothing and fashion accessories. Try on a stylish early twentieth-century hat, or walk away with a contemporary outfit that turns heads. In Clayton, Sweet Boutique satisfies your sweet tooth, without charging you the prices charged by larger confection shops.