Omaha
Rising out of the prairies and cornfields of the heartland, Omaha serves as a cultural wellspring and economic powerhouse for the region. Downtown has seen a lot of development in recent years, and now serves up a huge selection of trendy shopping, dining, and entertainment, particularly around the Old Market; the Blackstone neighborhood has also emerged as a new hotspot for adventurous restauranteurs and hip nightlife. The robust live music scene in Omaha is one of the city’s worst-kept secrets, with national publications singing the praises of popular venues like the Waiting Room and the annual Maha Music Festival at Stinson Park. Omaha is serious about college sports – the University of Nebraska’s Cornhuskers are hometown heroes, and the city is the longtime home to the College World Series every summer. For more relaxing downtime, soak in views of the Missouri River (and wave to Council Bluffs, Iowa) from Heartland of America Park, or pack up your picnic basket and head over to Standing Bear reservoir.
Saint Louis
Stretched along the Mississippi River, Saint Louis is the second most populous city in Missouri. Regarded as the Gateway to the West, Saint Louis was the starting point of Lewis and Clark’s infamous expedition. Saint Louis’ most iconic landmark, the Gateway Arch, is a memorial celebrating the nation’s westward expansion. In addition to its rich history, Saint Louis offers residents access to exceptional amenities and culture. An apartment in Saint Louis affords you the opportunity to climb sculptures composed of reclaimed building materials at the one-of-a-kind City Museum, or watch the Cardinals play ball at Busch Stadium. Hit the town and catch a performance at the Fabulous Fox, or indulge in some retail therapy at the massive Saint Louis Outlet Mall. There’s incredible architecture to admire in the Washington Avenue Historic District, or you could experience the flora and fauna on display at the Saint Louis Zoo and Missouri Botanical Garden. Convenient Interstates make exploring the Saint Louis area and the national forests to the south a breeze.
Manchester
A safe, family-friendly suburb of Saint Louis, Manchester features an abundance of modern conveniences like department stores, supermarkets, popular eateries, and well-kept community parks. Manchester is home to an array of green spaces like Schroeder Park, where locals can enjoy athletic fields, an aquatic center, playgrounds, and walking trails. Be sure to attend some of the community’s events after you find your apartment, like the annual Craft Beer Festival. Along Manchester Road lies all of the chain and local restaurants and specialty stores. Residents enjoy grabbing a happy hour special at Tucker’s Place after they’ve explored Manchester Highlands and neighboring stores. Affordable apartments and single-family homes await in this serene suburb, along with excellent public schools in the Parkway School District. Manchester sits near the National Museum of Transportation, Edgar M. Queeny County Park, Chesterfield Mall, the Butterfly House, and Maryville University. Residents can easily travel to and from Downtown Saint Louis along I-64 or I-44.
