tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14698828.post6968342546582849300..comments2024-01-31T12:49:08.701-08:00Comments on STL Rising: It's all about substitutionRick Bonaschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10825477678253483191noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14698828.post-12847397137831463592007-06-18T12:20:00.000-07:002007-06-18T12:20:00.000-07:00St. Louis is the best buy for old urbanism. Howev...St. Louis is the best buy for old urbanism. However, it has some of the worst parochial politics.<BR/><BR/>I'm moving for a better job in an area with better winters, better natural scenery (between mountains and ocean), less crime and comparable cost of living. However, my future sunbelt home will completely lack the character of St. Louis that costs too much in other old urban centers like Boston or SF.<BR/><BR/>St. Louis has dreaded weather, change-adverse politics and simple landscapes. But I'll miss living in my industrial brick city of old urbanism. Our built environment remains our greatest asset, especially for the price.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14698828.post-2323466027244276112007-06-14T06:11:00.000-07:002007-06-14T06:11:00.000-07:00I met a couple a few years ago who moved from San ...I met a couple a few years ago who moved from San Francisco to St. Louis. At first they missed San Francisco, though after they built a core group of friends, they loved St. Louis and settled in the CWE. After May Department Stores was sold, they decided to move back to San Francisco since they still owned some property there. Today they miss St. Louis and would jump at an opportunity to move back.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14698828.post-91997505515167825662007-06-06T18:36:00.000-07:002007-06-06T18:36:00.000-07:00"Our home in Chicago has tripled in value while ou..."Our home in Chicago has tripled in value while our home in St Louis has only increased 20% in the same time period."<BR/><BR/>What time period is that?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14698828.post-47374263348116471122007-06-05T15:22:00.000-07:002007-06-05T15:22:00.000-07:00If you can afford it, be sure to keep the property...If you can afford it, be sure to keep the property in the more prosperous city. Our home in Chicago has tripled in value while our home in St Louis has only increased 20% in the same time period. Live and learn...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14698828.post-38643781092292656762007-06-05T10:34:00.000-07:002007-06-05T10:34:00.000-07:00I left STL about 3 years after graduating from col...I left STL about 3 years after graduating from college. My main factors were that I had lived in STL all my life, and that I wanted to experience a more urban environment. My job offered me an opportunity in Chicago and my wife and I moved into the city.<BR/><BR/>Chicago is a truly great urban city. Great transportation, great architecture, great bike path near the lake, etc...<BR/><BR/>However, my wife and I bought a house in STL city and are currently renting it out. When we are ready to start a family, we'll be moving into the house in the city. Why? We can't afford a house in the urban area of Chicago, but we can in STL. In fact, STL offers many of the same benefits of Chicago, great architecture, great neighborhoods, good transportation (metrolink and bus system), and definately a more affordable housing stock. I also feel that raising kids in the city of STL is more reasonable than Chicago, despite the SLPS issues.<BR/><BR/>My main reason for coming back to STL is because I left STL in the first place. I have a much greater appreciation for the city and what it offers than most that probably live in STL. Many are so stubborn in the STL region, and don't explore the city and see the beauty that it has. Now that the city is focused on rehabilitation and it is taking place within the neighborhoods, it is turning the city around and making it much more attractive to those outside the region. The city leaders need to make sure this trend continues, and STL can again become a world class city because it will re-attract those who left, and attract new people who appreciate it's beauty and benefits.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14698828.post-31153279382962410542007-06-05T09:33:00.000-07:002007-06-05T09:33:00.000-07:00I know of many families that have left the StL are...I know of many families that have left the StL area. The reasons obviously vary but there're two common themes. They were the best and the brightest of our friends and all left for superior alternatives. <BR/><BR/>All enjoyed living here but as many of us know and realize, StL is no longer a world-class city. To fix this, locals have to first accept this fact and get over their defensiveness. <BR/><BR/>I have met a other families that moved here from more prosperous and urban-like cities and remain in the region. They were convinced by others to stay out of the city and moved west. They are shocked by the general attitude, auto-dependency, political apathy and thus have nothing positive to voice about the region (except for their paycheck and inexpensive housing). They also have zero interest in dealing with the SLPS, issues of crime and thus would never consider living in the city.<BR/><BR/>These are great families and in each case the parents have advanced degrees in business, education, medicine, etc. But the StL region no longer is an international hub and in most cases, this caliber needs good and reliable international transportation services.<BR/><BR/>Cheap housing helps, but with career success, this variable has less importance. To keep the best and the brightest, regional leadership must be more inclusive and concentrate on improving the business and political climate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com