What It’s Like to Live in St. Louis Hills
Where Is St. Louis Hills?
St. Louis Hills is located in southwest St. Louis City, near the city’s western boundary with St. Louis County. The neighborhood is bordered generally by Chippewa Street to the north, Hampton Avenue to the east, Gravois Avenue to the southeast, and the city limits to the southwest.
Located about 10 miles from Downtown St. Louis, the neighborhood combines a residential setting with convenient access to both the city and nearby communities in St. Louis County.
What Is St. Louis Hills Known For?
St. Louis Hills is known for its beautiful brick homes, tree-lined streets, neighborhood parks, and classic St. Louis architecture. Much of the neighborhood was developed between the 1930s and 1950s, making it one of the later areas within the City of St. Louis to be extensively developed.
Francis Park sits at the center of the neighborhood and is one of St. Louis Hills’ defining features. Hampton Avenue and Chippewa Street provide nearby restaurants, shopping, and everyday services, while the neighborhood itself remains largely residential.
St. Louis Hills is also home to one of the city’s most famous landmarks: the historic Ted Drewes Frozen Custard stand on Chippewa Street along the former Route 66.
St. Louis Hills Homes & Real Estate
Types of Homes in St. Louis Hills
Brick homes dominate the residential streets of St. Louis Hills, with much of the neighborhood’s housing dating from the 1930s through the 1950s. Tudor Revival architecture is particularly common, alongside traditional brick two-story homes, ranches, bungalows, cottages, and duplexes.
Many homes retain details characteristic of older St. Louis construction, including hardwood floors, stained glass, arched doorways, fireplaces, stonework, and original millwork. Buyers can also find apartments and condos throughout the neighborhood.
St. Louis Hills Estates is a distinct residential section within the broader St. Louis Hills area and includes some of the neighborhood’s larger homes and lots. We’ll explore St. Louis Hills Estates separately for buyers interested specifically in homes within this part of the neighborhood.
What to Expect When Buying in St. Louis Hills
Homes in St. Louis Hills can vary considerably in size, architecture, updates, and price. Smaller bungalows and ranches sit alongside larger two-story properties, while renovated homes often combine original architectural details with updated kitchens, bathrooms, finished basements, and modern systems.
Housing inventory can also be relatively limited compared with larger areas of the city. Buyers interested in St. Louis Hills may benefit from being prepared when the right property becomes available.
Because much of the housing is several decades old, buyers should consider the condition and age of major systems, roofing, foundations, sewer laterals, masonry, windows, and previous renovations when evaluating an individual property.
Schools in St. Louis Hills
Public Schools Serving St. Louis Hills
St. Louis Hills is located within the St. Louis Public Schools district. Residents have access to neighborhood public schools as well as charter and magnet school options throughout the city. SLPS magnet programs provide additional specialized educational options, with enrollment and eligibility requirements varying by school and program.
Because school assignments, enrollment policies, and availability can vary by address and change over time, buyers should verify current options directly with St. Louis Public Schools and individual charter schools when considering a specific property.
Private and Parochial Schools Near St. Louis Hills
St. Louis Hills and the surrounding southwest St. Louis area offer a variety of private and parochial education options, including Catholic, Lutheran, independent, and other private schools.
School locations, grade levels, enrollment requirements, and availability vary, so buyers interested in private education should research individual schools based on their needs.
Things to Do in St. Louis Hills
Parks and Outdoor Recreation
Francis Park is the centerpiece of St. Louis Hills. The approximately 60-acre park sits near the center of the neighborhood and includes walking paths, athletic fields and courts, playgrounds, landscaped areas, and the Francis Park lily pond.
The park is also home to Rockwell Beer Garden and hosts community events throughout the year, including Art in the Park, which brings artists, food vendors, and live entertainment into the neighborhood.
On the southwestern side of St. Louis Hills, Willmore Park provides more than 100 additional acres of green space. Its amenities include walking paths, athletic fields, fishing lakes, playgrounds, picnic areas, and space for outdoor recreation.
The River Des Peres Greenway also provides a nearby route for walking, running, and biking through southwest St. Louis.
Restaurants, Shopping, and Local Favorites
Hampton Avenue and Chippewa Street serve as the major commercial corridors surrounding St. Louis Hills, providing restaurants, grocery shopping, retail, and everyday services close to the neighborhood’s residential streets.
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard on Chippewa is easily the neighborhood’s most famous food destination. The location has been serving frozen custard along historic Route 66 since the 1940s and remains a St. Louis institution.
Other neighborhood and nearby favorites include Rockwell Beer Garden, Salt + Smoke, LeGrand’s Market & Catering, Pueblo Solis, and a variety of locally owned restaurants and businesses along Hampton and Chippewa.
Getting Around St. Louis Hills
Walkability in St. Louis Hills
Walkability varies throughout St. Louis Hills. The neighborhood’s sidewalks, established street grid, parks, and relatively compact layout make walking practical for recreation and for some everyday destinations.
Homes closer to Hampton Avenue and Chippewa Street have easier walking access to restaurants, shops, grocery stores, and other businesses, while residents farther into the residential portions of the neighborhood may rely more heavily on a car for errands.
Francis Park provides a particularly walkable center for the neighborhood, while the River Des Peres Greenway and Willmore Park offer additional options for walking, running, and biking.
Major Roads and Highways
Hampton Avenue and Chippewa Street are two of the primary routes serving St. Louis Hills. Gravois Avenue runs along the southeastern side of the neighborhood, while Watson Road provides another major connection through southwest St. Louis.
Interstates 44 and 55 are both accessible from St. Louis Hills, providing connections to Downtown St. Louis and other parts of the metropolitan area.
Commute to Downtown St. Louis and Nearby Areas
St. Louis Hills is approximately 10 miles southwest of Downtown St. Louis. Interstate 44 provides one of the primary routes toward Downtown, while the neighborhood’s location also provides convenient access to destinations throughout South City and central St. Louis.
Nearby areas include Lindenwood Park, Southampton, Princeton Heights, Bevo Mill, and Carondelet, while communities such as Shrewsbury, Webster Groves, Affton, and Maplewood are also easily accessible.
MetroBus routes serve the area, providing public transportation connections along several of the neighborhood’s major streets.
Buying or Selling a Home in St. Louis Hills
Buying a Home in St. Louis Hills
Buyers looking for homes in St. Louis Hills will find a neighborhood defined by established housing and classic St. Louis architecture. Brick Tudors, ranches, bungalows, cottages, duplexes, and larger two-story homes provide options across a range of sizes and styles.
Individual sections of the neighborhood can also offer different housing experiences. Buyers interested in larger properties may want to explore St. Louis Hills Estates, while other portions of the neighborhood offer smaller homes within walking distance of Francis Park, Hampton Avenue, and neighborhood amenities.
Working with a real estate agent familiar with St. Louis Hills can help buyers understand those differences, evaluate older homes, and act when the right property becomes available.
Selling a Home in St. Louis Hills
Architectural details, renovations, home size, lot size, proximity to Francis Park, location within the neighborhood, and the condition of an individual property can all influence how a St. Louis Hills home competes in the market.
Our team can help St. Louis Hills homeowners understand their property’s current value and develop a strategy that highlights the features that distinguish their home within this established southwest St. Louis neighborhood.
Explore Neighborhoods Near St. Louis Hills
Looking beyond St. Louis Hills? Explore homes and real estate in nearby neighborhoods and communities including Lindenwood Park, Southampton, Princeton Heights, Affton, Shrewsbury, and Webster Groves.