Sure, there are people who judge you by your high school. But the real assessment made once you're past, oh, 25 is based on geography.
"Where do you live?" sounds like an innocuous question, but in a place like St. Louis, your answer is likely to induce a lot of assumptions. After all, you chose your neighborhood for a reason. Someone who bought a house in the Central West End instead of, say, Tower Grove South is signaling a major part of their outlook and ethos.
And we'll be the first to admit, a lot of the assumptions being made about you based on where you live are probably wildly wrong — to paraphrase Tolstoy, each city resident is unhappy in its own way. Every St. Louis neighborhood is a mixed bag of fascinating individuals. But for a glimpse at what signifiers you're throwing off without even realizing it, read on.
What Your St. Louis Neighborhood Says About You
By Riverfront Times Staff on Sat, Sep 16, 2023 at 6:22 am
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FLICKR/PAUL SABLEMAN
Holly Hills
You secretly think the rest of the city is a shithole.
You secretly think the rest of the city is a shithole.
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FLICKR/PAUL SABLEMAN
Boulevard Heights
You think you live in Holly Hills. (You don't.)
You think you live in Holly Hills. (You don't.)
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MICAH USHER
Dogtown
You are either Irish, or you drink like you're Irish. Or maybe you're just a cop.
You are either Irish, or you drink like you're Irish. Or maybe you're just a cop.
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SARAH FENSKE
The Hill
You are either Italian, or you just really like white people.
You are either Italian, or you just really like white people.
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BRADEN MCMAKIN
Soulard
You think you live on an island, and it’s unfortunate for you that yours is surrounded by highways, not tropical seas. You are known to enjoy a tasty beverage and have a high tolerance for visiting county drunks pissing on your lawn.
You think you live on an island, and it’s unfortunate for you that yours is surrounded by highways, not tropical seas. You are known to enjoy a tasty beverage and have a high tolerance for visiting county drunks pissing on your lawn.
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FLICKR/PAUL SABLEMAN
Forest Park Southeast
You’re proud that your abode is way cheaper than it would be in the Central West End, and you value walking to Forest Park or your job at Barnes-Jewish. You’re the city’s real bargain shopper.
You’re proud that your abode is way cheaper than it would be in the Central West End, and you value walking to Forest Park or your job at Barnes-Jewish. You’re the city’s real bargain shopper.
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FLICKR/PAUL SABLEMAN
The Ville
You are living in a Midwestern mecca of Black history — and it’s hard not to get angry about what’s been allowed to happen to it.
You are living in a Midwestern mecca of Black history — and it’s hard not to get angry about what’s been allowed to happen to it.
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SCREENSHOT/A NEW HOME
Bevo Mill
Everyone assumes you're Bosnian, but — fun fact — they mostly left the neighborhood for south county years ago. Now you're fueled by margaritas.
Everyone assumes you're Bosnian, but — fun fact — they mostly left the neighborhood for south county years ago. Now you're fueled by margaritas.
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FLICKR/PAUL SABLEMAN
Botanical Heights
You wanted a new house in an old city …. and you also had no idea Ben Poremba was about to pull up stakes for most of his restaurants. That’s not going to affect your housing values, is it? IS IT????
You wanted a new house in an old city …. and you also had no idea Ben Poremba was about to pull up stakes for most of his restaurants. That’s not going to affect your housing values, is it? IS IT????
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Screengrab via Google Maps
Midtown/Grand Center
You go to SLU.
You go to SLU.
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FLICKR/PAUL SABLEMAN
Penrose
You won’t give up on north city no matter what. Now you’re just hoping more young families reach the same conclusion.
You won’t give up on north city no matter what. Now you’re just hoping more young families reach the same conclusion.
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Southwest Garden
You have a house as cool as anything in Shaw or Tower Grove South and walkable streets to boot. So why do people only know your neighborhood for that shop with the eccentric lawn ornaments?
You have a house as cool as anything in Shaw or Tower Grove South and walkable streets to boot. So why do people only know your neighborhood for that shop with the eccentric lawn ornaments?
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FLICKR/PAUL SABLEMAN
Lindenwood Park
You moved here because of its easy access to I-44, but with a great park and spots like Menya Rui, Mom’s Deli and Blueprint Coffee in walking distance, you rarely leave.
You moved here because of its easy access to I-44, but with a great park and spots like Menya Rui, Mom’s Deli and Blueprint Coffee in walking distance, you rarely leave.
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FLICKR/PAUL SABLEMAN
Southampton
You wanted to prove the county naysayers wrong by raising your family in the city, but you still scroll through Zillow and drool over county homes after each rash of car break-ins on your block. You also love complaining about Kingshighway, which is odd since you picked a house one block away from it.
You wanted to prove the county naysayers wrong by raising your family in the city, but you still scroll through Zillow and drool over county homes after each rash of car break-ins on your block. You also love complaining about Kingshighway, which is odd since you picked a house one block away from it.
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FILE PHOTO
Clayton-Tamm
You practically live at Nick's Pub.
You practically live at Nick's Pub.
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FLICKR/BRAD
Compton Hill
You are very proud of your water tower.
You are very proud of your water tower.
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FLICKR/PAUL SABLEMAN
College Hill
Your water tower is taller.
Your water tower is taller.
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FLICKR/PAUL SABLEMAN
Carondelet
You are the city’s last line of defense against scheming Lemolians. We want you on that wall. We need you on that wall!
You are the city’s last line of defense against scheming Lemolians. We want you on that wall. We need you on that wall!
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FLICKR/PAUL SABLEMAN
Dutchtown
You have some great architecture and your own Ted Drewes, but somehow you’re still perpetually in a bad mood. Is it Gravois?
You have some great architecture and your own Ted Drewes, but somehow you’re still perpetually in a bad mood. Is it Gravois?
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SCREENSHOT VIA GOOGLE EARTH
Near North Riverfront
Folks who don’t live in your neighborhood might come by the Broadway Boat Bar or Mississippi Underground, but you know the real hangout is that Love’s gas station right off the highway — that place is popping.
Folks who don’t live in your neighborhood might come by the Broadway Boat Bar or Mississippi Underground, but you know the real hangout is that Love’s gas station right off the highway — that place is popping.
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