Rebuttal of Another Review
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12/21/2007
I ran across this website the other day with loads of information to compare the cost of living, economics, schools, crime, etc. of all kinds of cities around the US. I thought it was an interesting site. It's www.bestplaces.net
While looking at the information about St. Louis, I noticed the list of reviews for the city. Of course, they were mixed with some people liking it and others hating it. I would expect that for any city. I found one review very interesting. It was written by a lady with a screen name Lady Bug.
There are so many things I'd like to say about this review. The first thing is, that this lady lives in Wentzville. Yes, WENTSVILLE and is giving her opinion on St. Louis. So, here is my rebuttal to the uniformed suburban view of this city:
"one of the ugliest cities in America" - Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This city is a wealth of architecture and old housing stock. Someone from the Northwest surely can't appreciate the longevity and beauty of the craftsmanship here. When you are used to more modern styles, you may not enjoy this as much, so I can understand the viewpoint. Though, living way out where they do, most of what you see is crappy, cheaply built stuff.
"crime is rampant"- Really? How do you know? All you know is what you see on TV and read in the paper. Crime is NOT rampant in the city, despite what the media wants you to believe.
"highways.... traffic... commute... strip malls" - Yes, all those things are horrible. You know why? You live in WENTSVILLE! I've only been on an interstate 1 time in the last month. I rarely have trouble with traffic and my commute is only 15 minutes by bus and passes by tons of unique stores.
"There are no scenic safe biking paths, no hiking trails, and there is no pretty and vibrant downtown - just malls"- Have you seen the biking and walking trails in Forest Park? Have you seen the local business districts in the city? Washington Avenue, South Grand, Macklind Avenue, Cherokee??? I don't remember being in a mall in the last year to be perfectly honest (well, except during my vacation to Orlando, and that was just to play mini-golf at the glow-in-the-dark place).
"The parks are nothing special. What's so awesome about the St. Louis Zoo?" - Okay, I believe Forest Park is one of the Largest Urban Parks in the US (about 50% larger than Central Park in New York)! Nothing special? What's with the Zoo you ask. Try finding a zoo of this quality anywhere in the country. You'll pay and arm and a leg to get in. We are the ONLY zoo in the US with a dedicated nutrition center and we are one of the leading zoo's in the world when it comes to animal care and breeding programs. Oh, and let's not forget our Botanical Garden either.
Oh, and just so you know I'm not biased from always living here, I did grow up in Missouri, but over near Kansas City. I have lived in Chicago, Savannah and the Washington, DC areas in my life. The things I love about those cities are some of the same things I love about St. Louis. People, old buildings, neighborhoods and history. St. Louis (the city) has all that and more.
It seems to me, when the media is concerned especially, every bad thing about this are is always associated with the City. It doesn't matter if they are really talking about strip malls, crime, poor highways that may bee way out in St. Charles county, they will complain about "St. Louis" making people think the City is some horrible place. But have something great happen out in Wentzville and you better believe they are going to say it was in Wentzville, not St. Louis.
Curtis | St. Louis, MO