Photography by Susan Jackson
For the entire decade that I resided in New York City, the reaction of my fellow St. Louisans to that fact was universally one of awe and amazement. They’d gush that New York was fabulous, amazing, the best.
Recently, I was at a cocktail party and a lovely young woman, raised here but living on the coast, asked me in tones of disbelief whether I’d read the opinion piece in The New York Times by author Curtis Sittenfeld about living in St. Louis. “She really likes it,” my young friend said. “I was amazed.”
Really? There is so much about our fair city to like. Granted, the great Gotham is exciting, packed with amazing talents and people who consider themselves the best at everything. But to survive and thrive there, you need unlimited credit cards (which you will never pay off), great haircuts, expensive shoes, and equally pricey handbags. Finally, add that NYC attitude that perpetuates the myth that only the crème de la crème live there.
In St. Louis, you get in a car and you can buy whatever you want—in bulk. You rarely wait in long lines, people are invariably polite, prices are fair, and you can live with only a debit card. The living is pleasant and pretty darn easy. Finally—and most significant—the talent here can go head-to-head with the best anywhere. If you have your doubts, flip to the “Architect & Designer Awards 2014." The work presented is stunning.
As we celebrate At Home’s 10th anniversary, I say it’s time to flick that chip off of our collective St. Louis shoulders and ballyhoo what we have. We actually have a lot—and a person shouldn’t need to live in New York City for 10 years to realize it.
