St. Ann, MO

St. Ann sits in north St. Louis County, right next to St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Home to around 13,000 people, the community was originally developed in the 1940s to house wartime defense workers. Today, those roots are visible in the neighborhood's quiet residential streets, classic mid-century brick ranches, and mature trees. Living along St. Charles Rock Road puts residents right on one of the area's main thoroughfares, making trips around the metro or commutes into downtown St. Louis straightforward.

ATTRPaul Sableman / CC BY 2.0

Depending on the address, families fall into either the Pattonville or Ritenour school districts, with a St. Louis County Library branch located right in town on Rock Road. For outdoor time, locals head to Tiemeyer Park for its lake and walking paths, or visit the municipal golf course and aquatic center. The old Northwest Plaza commercial site now serves as a major hub for local offices and county services. Between the central location, quick airport access, and modest home prices, St. Ann offers an accessible, low-key home base in the St. Louis area.