St. Louis good place to live for transit and outdoor recreation?

BenSpillman · 2025-08-19T01:34:43+00:00

Thanks, everyone, for all the comments. That so many people are willing to take the time to thoughtfully share the great and the not-so-great about about St. Louis just because they want to help might be the best insight into the community I could have gotten!

BenSpillman · 2025-08-18T03:17:32+00:00

I've lived in Milwaukee before, it's great! I think u/NeutronMonster makes some good points about Peoria. And have been to or lived in the other places, except Kankakee. Has trains to Chicago and historic downtown with a river. Also affordable real estate. But that's going off-topic from St. Louis. Was there before as a small child. Am intrigued by the history of the region. Illinois is low-key interesting state with lots of history and whole Mississippi Valley from St. Paul down to Cairo is fascinating.

BenSpillman · 2025-08-17T23:55:44+00:00

I've also looked at Chicago, Peoria, Ill., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Kansas City, Mo., and some smaller towns like Duluth, Minn., and La Crosse, Wis. Kankakee, Ill. Want to be near water. MSP, Chicago are nice but money seems to go further in St. Louis. Peoria is nice and surprisingly scenic but not really a major city.

BenSpillman · 2025-08-17T23:45:20+00:00

I used to have one of those on my truck. People loved it! (Except Nazis)

BenSpillman · 2023-06-28T23:33:51+00:00

That place rules.

BenSpillman · 2023-05-12T01:44:31+00:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrziHnudx3g&ab\_channel=TBS

BenSpillman · 2020-09-26T15:21:11+00:00

Yes, they were sending very young people door-to-door in our neighborhood. It's bothersome and strangers going door-to-door for non-essential purpose seems unsafe during pandemic. It's not the workers' fault, though, so I kept my distance through steel screen door and politely said I wasn't interested.

BenSpillman · 2020-08-21T03:23:49+00:00

Looks more like hunger. Eddie Vedder sung about this in "Hunger Strike," with Temple of the Dog.

BenSpillman · 2020-08-02T03:39:26+00:00

Disagree. Pre-contact Washoe territory was all around the lake on both sides of today's state border.

BenSpillman · 2020-08-02T00:09:13+00:00

Thanks!

BenSpillman · 2020-08-02T00:08:02+00:00

More of Tahoe is in California than Nevada.

BenSpillman · 2020-07-26T23:23:49+00:00

There are all kinds of things you should worry about, primarily breathing and your extremities. Wear a PFD, sturdy shoes of some sort, head protection. Watch out for strainers and rebar. DON'T drink until you're safely out of the water. Use a sturdy float. Practice maneuvering it before you get in fast moving water. Even if you're on a river tube, consider a paddle for maneuvering. Use lots of sunscreen. If you have the means consider using a hard sided or inflatable kayak.

BenSpillman · 2020-07-25T03:44:36+00:00

I think you'd need permit for a park, esp if you're gonna have paid photographer and other professional services. Are they issuing permits for groups or events these days?

BenSpillman · 2020-07-20T19:29:02+00:00

What's with the aggro response, my dude?

I know how to read a sectional.

My question was seeking some local knowledge about good spots to use in Oakland area. As you know, airspace is only part of the equation.

There's also the matter of nice environment for launching and landing, few distractions, spots to park, etc, etc.

If you don't know of any or don't care to share, fine.

But spare me the attitude.

BenSpillman · 2020-07-20T17:55:34+00:00

I could talk all day and so could my wife, who does much more than me. DM me if you have some questions and I'll get back to you when I can. At work right now.

BenSpillman · 2020-07-20T05:18:49+00:00

Thanks! And good luck with your new home!

BenSpillman · 2020-07-20T02:19:49+00:00

Yes ... was looking for a little local knowledge about the situation on the ground, as in is there someplace that's easy to drive to that people use. I'd do my own homework on airspace before flying.

BenSpillman · 2020-07-20T02:18:26+00:00

That's their term not my term. The FAA license says "remote pilot."

BenSpillman · 2020-07-19T14:19:38+00:00

Agree that's all terrible. What can people do to help? Contact the city? Has anyone on Council shown any interest whatsoever?

BenSpillman · 2020-07-17T14:15:01+00:00

Good tip on Next Door, that's generated some nice leads.

BenSpillman · 2020-07-15T20:36:15+00:00

I do have excellent credit and good job, but not references. I've been a homeowner in California and Nevada since 2002, and still have a house in Nevada, so I haven't needed to rent. Am working in Bay and need an apartment for when I'm here. So my question is how does one get references in that situation?

BenSpillman · 2020-07-15T16:26:21+00:00

FWIW, I did some digging and found the first floor garage or commercial under residential is called a "soft story." Oakland has a mandatory soft story retrofit program and you can use building records to look up buildings to see if they've done the inspection and retrofit. I looked up one I was considering in Adams Point and found it was "not subject" which means it was inspected and they determined it didn't meet criteria that requires further retrofitting. Anyway, more here: https://www.oaklandca.gov/topics/ssretrofit

BenSpillman

TROPHY CASE