St. Louis’s rich past contributes heavily to the allure of the city today. Its modern history more or less began after Lewis and Clark returned from their expedition west. In 1817, the first steamboat arrived in the city, heralding an era of travel and commerce along the Mississippi River. Although the steamboats helped the city to prosper, they also caused a fair amount of problems. In 1849, the steamboat White Cloud exploded on the riverfront, igniting a fire that destroyed one-third of the city.

The city experienced even more strife and suffering when the Civil War came. The famous Dred Scott trials began at the Old Courthouse in St. Louis. Like the rest of the nation, the city was soon divided by the war. Remnants and monuments of the Civil War can be seen at White Have, the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site and at the Jefferson Barracks Historic Park, where Grant and Robert E. Lee served as soldiers prior to the war.

In subsequent years, St. Louis gained further fame from the 1904 World’s Fair, the 1904 Olympic Games (held at Washington University), the first International Balloon Race in 1908 and the flight of Charles Lindbergh in 1927 in a plane nicknamed Spirit of St. Louis.

St. Louis today boasts a number of other qualities that foster a high standard of living. Residents enjoy award-winning transportation with the city’s MetroLink light rail system. The St. Louis area offers 115 public school districts and more than 300 of the best private schools in the nation. Saint Louis University, established in 1818, is the oldest institution of higher education west of the Mississippi. This Jesuit, Catholic university educates more than 11,000 undergraduates, graduates and professionals each year. All 50 states and 100 foreign countries are represented among the university’s student body.

St. Louis Public Schools include 72 elementary schools, 23 middle schools, 12 high schools and five special schools. The district is dedicated to improving “the achievement of students in every classroom and in every school.” The area’s average ACT score is higher than the national average. In recent years, magazines such as Business Week, Redbook and Money have commended St. Louis schools.

Beyond enrichment, St. Louis also offers pure enjoyment. The city’s downtown is known for its exciting nightlife, great cuisine and world-class cultural attractions. St. Louis has been voted the number-one sports town in America, and also offers attractions such as the American Theatre, the Gateway Arch, City Museum, the Hard Rock Café, the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame, and Christ Church Cathedral -- the oldest Episcopal congregation west of the Mississippi.

Other areas of St. Louis offer equally superb attractions. The St. Louis Zoo was named “One of America’s Top Ten Zoos” by Travel & Leisure magazine and was among the “Best Zoos Coast to Coast” in Family Fun magazine. The zoo boasts more than 6,600 animals and contains new exhibits such as the River’s Edge with Anheuser-Busch Hippo Harbor and the Insectarium.

The Hill is a St. Louis neighborhood that is an attraction in and of itself. The area was settled in the early 1900s by Italian immigrants. The neighborhood’s roots can still be seen today in items such as the green, white and red fireplugs, the Italian specialty stores and the occasional games of bocce. Baseball stars Joe Garagiola and Yogi Berra grew up in this 50-square-block neighborhood.

With St. Louis’s rich history, low cost of living, attractive amenities, world-class attractions and unbreakable community spirit, it is easy to see why so many people call the city home.