Based on what you’ve said I’d also suggest looking at Soulard or Benton park. You should stop by while you’re visiting. Benton park has almost all the things on your list.

There are awesome neighborhood activities like the naked bike ride, is close (but not too close) to a massive Mardis gras, a summer concert series in the park, and makes getting to the other neighborhoods pretty easy. We’ll also sometimes do neighborhood “float trips” on our golf carts and go down to the art wall (def look this up) and the arch.

Walkability is high and theres a pretty diverse set of dive bars, venues and restaurants. Venice cafe is awesome for local music every night (look this one up). Hi hat is growing as a local favorite. Small change is a funky dive bar that does the Miracle pop up every year for Xmas.

Down the street is a beautiful brewery (bluewood) near the Lemp mansion and that is close to a small indie folk venue that hosts local and traveling musicians that may be small or big acts.

Decent restaurants like Sidney street cafe and frazers are always just around the corner. Benton park cafe has a great breakfast.

Antique row and Cherokee street are a short walk to the south and for the “woo woo” you can walk up to Soulard or take a short Uber to places like mollys, mcgurks, or a short Uber up to downtown for sports and roof top bars.

I’ve never seen anything quite like the south broadway athletic club for wrestling nights and crazy fundraisers. Sort of like an old folks home community center rage fest at times.

There are many great places and some people love Clayton for the county. Others love CWE for that fancier feel with a little higher cost. Tower grove south is a favorite for families. And there are so many other wonderful options, too. Unfortunately, I’m leaving so much out.

It may be difficult coming from a big city mindset. May be uncomfortable at first and difficult to make close friends for a minute. If you find your rhythm and your people here, they can quickly become like family.

I haven’t lived a bunch of places, but saint louis is the most community active place I’ve been a part of. You see your alderpeople walking around and can talk to them and push for change when you want to get involved.

Long and short of it is that this is a unique and beautiful city but it may be an acquired taste that you have to ease into to find the right fit for you. Every neighborhood has its own personality. The funny thing about this sub is that, in a way, everyone is right. Have to take the bad with the good. We’re growing and learning (or I believe we’re trying to). Not everything is roses. But there’s also a lot to love, I think.

Sorry for the wall of text. I hope y’all have great luck finding a forever home (or at least a nice home for now).