Bringing You Home

Florissant

What was once a slice of eastern Missouri countryside sprouted what’s now St. Louis’ most populous suburb. Florissant exploded in the years following World War II, blossoming into a city whose population now stands at more than 51,000. The city places residents just about 20 miles from St. Louis’ core, making it an alternative for those who work there but want to live in more of a suburban setting. Florissant has a robust mix of its own attractions, including shopping, restaurants and parks. “Everything that’s available in St. Louis, and some of the surrounding cities, is also available in Florissant,” says Daryl Butler, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty - Gundaker with about four years of industry experience. “So, you don’t have to leave home to find the dining or businesses that you would need to frequent.”

Affton

Affton is an area that blends rustic and urban. This is an unincorporated community with the footprint of a city — where homes come with sizable lawns shaded by an assortment of mature trees, but also where residents can quickly hop on the highway and reach the center of St. Louis in about 20 minutes. Home to about 20,400 people, Affton still has relatively accessible home prices, and there’s a variety of recreation opportunities in the area. “I think what I like about Affton is that it’s an established community,” says Hayley Tomazic, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty St. Louis and a St. Louis native. “It’s been very stable for a long time, and has some neat draws to it, including Tower Tee, which is a landmark golf driving range and par-3 course, with batting cages; 9 Mile Garden, which is a food truck park; and Grant’s Farm.

St. Charles

First founded in 1769 and named Les Petites Côtes, translated to The Little Hills, by French fur traders, history is very much alive in Old Town St. Charles. Steps from the Missouri River, restaurants, taverns and small stores can all be found in repurposed buildings lining Main Street. Known for its nightlife, the clop of hoofs can often be heard bouncing off bumpy brick streets as horse-drawn carriages pass foot traffic headed to local dinner spots and ice cream parlors by the glow of gas streetlights. Thanks to the infusion of modern shopping, dining and entertainment options into the community’s storied streets continue to see an influx of new residents. "St. Charles is really booming these days," says Steve Roth, a local resident and Realtor with MO Realty. "People love the nightlife and beautiful scenery with the river right there, I think it'll only continue to grow."