As more homebuyers move into the city, I find a fairly consistant question crops up early on in the process. “How is this neighborhood doing?” Many folks are not yet familiar with specific areas or neighborhoods of the city.
They are trying to determine where the best investment is based on their particular needs and wants for their new stomping grounds.
One of the main determining signs of a neighborhood’s economic health is noting how the business district is doing. How does the neighborhood’s mainstreet look? Is there thriving economy? Is there pride? Is there promise of something coming? Is there neglect? And, a big one … is there a local diner or coffeehouse? If a neighborhood has been struggling for a while, this last question is very often a sign that things are about to move forward.
When I moved back to St. Louis after about 11 years as a nomad, I landed in the Tower Grove South neighborhood. I just needed a place to lay my head at night and knew nothing about the city having grown up in a surrounding suburb with parents who did not look fondly upon the city.
I was fortunate enough to move in when some residents were flocking out and new residents were flocking in. Much rehabbing and revitalization happened in that 21 years.
I was able to witness something extraordinary and the first inspiration for this website.
As people moved in and rehabbed, property values went up. As property values went up and population around S. Grand started rising again, more businesses started moving in. As more businesses moved in, more residents moved in and rehabbed. Outside investors came in and rehabbed, too… both in the commercial residential areas. More rehabbed homes were available to buy and property values continued to move up. The neighborhood economy was on the rise!
I eventually bought my first and current home for many reasons one of which was that Mokabe’s had just moved here from Kirkwood. The South City Diner (now City Diner) has been here for a little while and was a great place to hang out for a good, inexpensive meal.
Why did people initially flock here? Properties were inexpensive but true for other neighborhoods as well. For me, it was the draw of walking retail and the park. And, retail looked like it was stable, though, not booming yet. Blocks and blocks of restaurants were a big draw for me, too. And, Jay Asia (now Jay International) was especially nice to have so close!
I believe for many people, they want to know that a neighborhood’s main drag is holding on pretty well before they are willing to make their home there.
Watch Dutchtown South’s Meramec Ave., Fox Park’s S. Jefferson & the Compton/Shenandoah crossing, too. Hyde Park will be interesting to watch now that they have a diner on Salisbury. Old North St. Louis’ Crown Candy has kept people intrigued and investing in that neighborhood. The new 14th Street Mall project will be interesting to watch and it’s rippling effect.
Here’s to the ripples!