Moving from California to St. Louis
Leaving the Sunshine State to pursue the barbeque and blues of St. Louis is not a bad idea. You’ll be trading in sandy beaches for the Mississippi River and the Los Angeles Dodgers for the St. Louis Cardinals. But, before you go about making these switches, you have to do the moving part first.
Many people dread the packing, moving, unpacking, having the inevitable broken items show up on the other end. But, it doesn’t have to be this way. Before we get to that, though, let’s get a better understanding of why moving from California to St. Louis is such a great choice.
Benefits of Moving from California to St. Louis
California has its perks, like beautiful national parks and Highway 1, but St. Louis has a deeper history. From hosting the 1904 World’s Fair to being the first US city to host the Olympics, St. Louis holds some unique opportunities. When that’s paired with the restaurant culture, myriad of free things to do, and lower cost of living, moving to this great city seems like a no-brainer.
Let’s go through some of the best things about moving to St. Louis.
Spectacular Food
There is no better spot in the US than California for tacos. Yes, you will miss out on some of the best tacos of your life, but you’ll trade those in for St. Louis’ own unique culinary style. With a BBQ joint popping up on every corner, you’ll have no shortage of ribs here. But, if you’re seeking something Italian instead, St. Louis will provide you with the now-famous toasted ravioli. New residents may have to develop an affinity for provel cheese, but that only comes with time.
Mardi Gras Celebrations
Between the lights of Hollywood, beaches of San Diego, and beats of San Francisco, it can be challenging to know what nightlife one could find in St. Louis. But, St. Louis is actually home to the largest Mardi Gras celebration outside of New Orleans. For over a month, residents pack the streets and different event venues until the celebration culminates in the Bud Light Grand Parade. Other events include the Mayor’s Mardi Gras Ball and the Taste of Soulard.
Free Attractions for the Whole Family
California seems to charge you for just about everything - from parking at the beach to your plastic bags at the grocery store. But, St. Louis is the opposite. Many attractions and museums are free in this spectacular city, making it a great place to raise a family or host friends for a weekend. A few of the best free attractions are:
- Museum at the Gateway Arch
- Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour
- St. Louis Zoo
- St. Louis Art Museum
- The Muny Summer Theater
- Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum
Of course, St. Louis also has a myriad of parks, museums, and tours you can seek out that won’t cost you a dime.
Low Cost of Living
St. Louis is not an expensive place to live. The median home costs $115,700, making owning a home attainable for most people. Similar to that, transportation, utilities, food, and other daily essentials tend to be low priced as well. This will give you more money to enjoy going out to try a Louie Gooey Butter Cake or take a cruise down the Mississippi in a river boat.
Plenty of Work
The city of St. Louis is home to over 300,000 people. This is nothing compared to many of the cities back in California, but it allows for plenty of room and jobs. Some of the largest employers are colleges, such as Washington University and Saint Louis University. Healthcare is also booming here, with BJC Healthcare employing over 28,000 people as of 2018. When you add SSM Health’s almost 15,000 jobs, there are plenty of healthcare options here.
Additionally, other prospective employers are Walmart, Boeing, AT&T, Enterprise, and Edward Jones. Each of these companies has more than 5000 workers in the city, bringing prosperity and a solid income to its employees. Some popular places to work include Express Scripts, a Fortune 100 company, and Anheuser-Busch.
Residents are Charitable
California often feels like an individualized atmosphere. Moving to St. Louis will be like night and day to the dog eat dog world you’ll find in Silicon Valley. St. Louis was ranked in the top 10 most charitable cities in 2019 when it comes to Religious, Environmental & Animal, Education, and Society Benefit giving. This shows that St. Louis is looking out for its own, whether that’s on the street or in the environment.
Cost of Moving from California to St. Louis
The average line haul cost of moving form California to St. Louis with Allied is around $3,300. This number varies depending on how much you own, exactly where in California you live, if you need packing or unpacking assistance or materials, and more. It is best to understand the true cost of your move before you go. Fill out the Instaquote above to see what this move may cost.
Most Popular Neighborhoods in St. Louis
Trying to find a neighborhood similar to what you were used to in California may be a bit difficult, but each St. Louis neighborhood has its own style. For the foodies, especially those with a hankering for Italian food, check out The Hill. With plenty of single-family homes and a multitude of family-owned businesses, it is a great place to land.
If you’re hoping to mimic the vibe of some of your favorite California cities, check out St. Louis’ Downtown. With plenty of shopping, bars, and apartments, there is lots to do. For another trendy spot, opt for the Central West End. High-end shopping marries stunning historic mansions for a happy balance between historic St. Louis and today’s modern style.
If you’re hoping to live among the diversity, you may have experienced back east, check out South Grand. This spot of town is brimming with people from all over the globe, especially Bosnians. The corner stores and authentic mom and pop spots to grab a bit will have you feeling right at home in no time.
Art may look a little different in Missouri, but there is no lack of it. In the Grand Center, a multitude of galleries and museums let residents see the city’s finest. This area is still under development. If this isn’t quite your speed, Skinker-DeBaliviere is a hip spot with an annual spring Porchfest and a quick jaunt to most theaters and art show spots in the city.
Another favorite neighborhood just west of St. Louis is Town & Country. It has a vast amount of parks, including Longview Farm Park and Preservation & Cadet Park. The former has yoga classes available while the latter has a spectacular playground for the littles.
How to Move from California to St. Louis
Moving cross-country is no small feat. You will need to do some research about homes and neighborhoods and decide where you’d like to live.
You can choose from more suburban neighborhoods with plenty of space to roam or opt for the upbeat city life in the heart of downtown. Once you have your rental or home to buy picked out, decide how much of your current belongings need to make the trip. Remember, the less you bring, the cheaper it will be.
Next, choose a moving company. Here at Allied, we have over 90 years of experience in long distance moving. We are dedicated to providing you with top-notch service from your home in California to getting you settled in St. Louis. By choosing a reputable moving company, you can rest assured everything will make it from point A to B in one piece. So, give us a call or fill out our Instaquote above to get your move started.