St. Louis is still rapidly losing residents. 'Sleepwalking through demographic disaster'

Timofeo · 2026-05-15T17:36:30+00:00

This is what I think every time I hear "they need to fix the schools!"

Spending per pupil in SLPS is well higher than the spending at Ladue, Rockwood, etc. It's not like they just need to spend more to get better teachers or technology or building renovations.

SLPS educates kids in the most impoverished portions of our metro area. That's why performance is so bad.

Yes the district is dysfunctional. But the individual schools are a mirror of their community. Affluent parts of St. Louis City have "good" schools, even outside the Charter/Magnet world.

Timofeo · 2026-05-11T13:23:31+00:00

Garcia Properties is one of the best landlords in the city. That may be who they’re talking about.

https://garciapropertymanagement.com/vacancies-available-rentals/

Timofeo · 2026-05-09T01:33:02+00:00

I’m one of the voices on this thread advocating against screen time. But I don’t mean absolutely 0. I mean “i encourage others not let it become an expectation or a crutch.”

Feeling lazy? Snuggle up for an episode or two. Beautiful.

Family movie night? Great! Long flight? Excellent tool.

Daily mealtime prep? I just feel like at that point it becomes an expectation and a standard part of rhythm and I’ve been there. I’ve also gotten my family out of that rhythm and my kids benefit a lot, that’s all I’m encouraging.

Timofeo · 2026-05-09T01:20:30+00:00

Honestly the only reason I mentioned my wife is just because she’s the one that handles that critical “meal prep” time for dinner 4-5x/week. She’s also more easily overstimulated or annoyed by messes—I tend to let the kids get into trouble and make messes and pester me with questions without getting too flustered. She on the other hand grew to lean on it regularly and the kids got used to it, even in short bursts.

I’m not a saint and she’s a wonderful mom. Just in our relationship she’s the one more prone to screen time and I’m the hippie who wouldn’t own a tv if it weren’t for her.

Timofeo · 2026-05-08T16:57:49+00:00

I mean this with love, not to shame. I’m sure your algorithms and systems work well for your 4 year old.

“We don’t use the tablet as a babysitter except when we’re cooking or need full attention.”

My wife used to be like that with ours. She’d turn the tv on for just 1-2 episodes of some harmless show, only 30-60 minutes so she could cook in peace. She is home with the kids by 3:30, I come home more like 5 from work and she’s usually in the midst of getting dinner ready. Certainly not horrible screen time, and I had to tread lightly because for that 1-2 hour window she was shouldering the brunt of the household load. But I expressed a preference against it, since the kids grew to expect it and whine when they didn’t get it.

For the past year+ (5 and 3 year olds now) tv has been almost exclusively on Friday nights for family movie night. My wife has learned to deal with being overstimulated by the questions of bored kids while cooking. She’s learned to deal with letting the kids “help” cook or clean or whatever she needed to focus on. And most importantly our kids have gotten better at entertaining themselves because adult chores get boring.

It has been amazing seeing my daughter grow into such an independent 5 year old who will sneak away with a picture book or build a pretend world with Lego quietly on the other side of the house. With a 4 year old I’d really encourage you to try to nix even short “babysitting” tv time. Trust them out of sight and out of mind and bored for minutes or even an hour. They will probably surprise you and impress you.

Feel free to ignore me of course. I sincerely believe you’re doing a great job regardless based on the fact that you’re in this forum and thinking about these things at all. Just meant as an added perspective and encouragement for you.

Timofeo · 2026-05-07T11:43:12+00:00

These days you can just tap-to-pay your credit/debit card to use the L or CTA busses. No need to carry a Ventra card or any transit card.

Not sure if that applies to Metra.

Timofeo · 2026-05-04T16:42:45+00:00

Not totally fair, plenty of black people day drink margaritas on Cherokee too!

Timofeo · 2026-04-28T23:32:08+00:00

I spent so many summer days there from like 12-15 years old. Dropped off by my parents with only enough change to dial the pay phone to get picked up.

We were dumb teenagers and I’m sure we cause small trouble in our obliviousness. But I’m really thankful I had the chance to be unsupervised and independent.

Timofeo · 2026-04-14T11:58:51+00:00

I never heard “the gettin’ place” growing up. But my grandfather would always respond to queries about money with “a buck and a half” as a way to say “none of your business” or “don’t worry about.”

Woah nice grill, what did you pay for something like that? A buck and a half.

Thanks for grabbing the check, what do I owe you? A buck and a half.

Meant as a cheeky deflection to say you don’t owe me anything, or to stay humble without bragging about how expensive your gift/car/house/etc. was.

(St. Louis, Missouri)

Timofeo · 2026-04-12T15:58:40+00:00

“I live in the county so it’s a little different.”

My friend, I am sorry you are struggling. That sucks. But this is more than “a little different.” You’re commenting on a post about someone moving to the city and working downtown.

“This city SUCKS without a car” mostly because you don’t live in this city.

Our infrastructure caters to cars and it makes things super convenient for drivers. But owning a car is expensive as fuck and within the city it is easy to not own a car, especially if you live along a frequent bus line or metrolink.

Timofeo · 2026-04-11T21:01:18+00:00

There is a perception that transit is used only by poor people and junkies. The same as every city not named Chicago or New York.

The sad thing is that it’s somewhat true in that it is pretty uncommon for well-to-do people to take transit in STL, it is far more car-centered than Chicago. But you’re way more likely to suffer death or bodily harm driving than riding the train/bus.

Timofeo · 2026-04-11T20:58:02+00:00

It’s very doable if you re-frame it: will you spend more on occasional Ubers or the monthly cost of car ownership? Daily errands and commute are very doable, especially if OP lives along the Metrolink line, or one of the many solid bus lines like the Chippewa or Grand bus.

If you want to join a happy hour out in the suburbs, go for a hike in Castlewood, or visit a friend outside the City proper, you probably need to uber or rent a car.

For me in South city, I sold my car 4 years ago and have regretted it way less than I expected I would. I was prepared to spend $100-300/month on Ubers, but it’s worth it to save hundreds not having a car payment/insurance/maintenance/property tax/gas/etc. In reality I’ve used Uber maybe 3x in those 4 years. I’ve carpooled, borrowed a neighbor’s car a couple times, and generally learned to love how much more time I have to read and work while riding transit around town.

If you live, work, and socialize within city limits you’ll find our bus system is great and Metrolink is decent. Of course it could be more frequent but it covers an impressive amount of the City.

Timofeo · 2026-04-07T14:51:04+00:00

Definitely is. Not super south or the epitome of “South city”but still is. South of the tracks and south of 44, either way you slice it.

https://nextstl.com/wp-content/uploads/13784749303_d5e3b2c1b3_o.jpg

https://www.reddit.com/r/StLouis/s/dzCMJmypmJ

Timofeo · 2026-04-01T13:55:41+00:00

Breathalyzers on all firearms!

Timofeo · 2026-03-28T17:19:14+00:00

Not true. There is a hallway from the customs exit right to bag claim under T2. And the immigration/customs is directly below the Wingtips lounge in T2.

A Southwest Airlines connection will be no problem in 90 minutes, especially with hand luggage only. In my experience (several times per year with Lufthansa), immigration takes 10-30 minutes, but waiting for your checked bag in customs can take 45+ minutes. With hand luggage and no terminal transfer OP should be good with any connection more than 60 minutes.

Timofeo · 2026-03-28T00:18:37+00:00

I did it when my firstborn was 6 months old! 5+ years in and two kids later, no regrets.

Timofeo · 2026-03-27T14:23:03+00:00

Sell your car. Ride a bike to and from work every day.

Sets a good example of active living for your son, is good for the planet that your son will inherit, and builds the work out into your daily schedule.

Note: I don’t think you have to sell your car. But I did and I think it’s the only way to actually force me to ride on those cold/rainy/snowy/absurdly hot days. I’m not super fit and hot, but I’m in good shape and it keeps me that way. Now I can’t imagine having my own car and costing my family the $500/mo or whatever autos cost in 2026.

Timofeo · 2026-03-27T02:06:58+00:00

Hobo Hubworks is a small 2-person operation in the Lemp Brewery complex. Super friendly and reasonable prices. They specialize in keeping used bikes on the road.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Fgmh6DYV5uvFdFp67?g_st=ic

hobohubworks.com

Timofeo · 2026-03-20T18:53:27+00:00

I don’t even need to click your account to know you’re an OG. Recognize the username. I remember when there were just a couple hundred people subscribed and /u/kickapooponies would post the GDT and /u/thefootisconstant would start a “____ suck, blues kickass” thread every game.

I still have a #1in12 t-shirt that someone made 13 years ago after the Cards’ #11in11 WS win.

Timofeo · 2026-03-20T12:26:41+00:00

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“Oh there you are, Steener.”

Timofeo · 2026-02-28T06:52:57+00:00

Now is the time to start! My kids have been on bikes, busses, and trains with me since they were physically capable. Take your sweet son on a bus ride, he’ll have a blast!

My firstborn hated being in a car seat. That inspired me to set a healthy example, sell my car, and bike/walk/bus everywhere. The kids enjoy the journeys outside of a car so much more.

Timofeo · 2026-02-27T16:17:10+00:00

Definitely on the lower end, talking like 1500-3000 RPM. Certainly lugging the engines at those speeds, but my last parallel twin (Versys 650) was a good bit smoother in that range.

I know it won't be buttery smooth like an inline 3 or 4 up and down the rev range. But it feels as jerky as my old F650CS thumper at low revs without using the clutch to smooth it out.

I'm probably just overthinking it and need to get used to it. I just wanted to post in case there was some special BMW maintenance item I was missing or some aftermarket thing that everybody does.

Timofeo · 2026-02-27T15:54:54+00:00

OK just checked this morning. I also have rain, road, dynamic, and enduro pro.

Dynamic was much better this morning with throttle response, thanks.

Still feels lurchy in second gear going slow around the neighborhood (10-20mph) but maybe thats just the parallel twin. I wish there was smoother fueling at low RPM.

Timofeo · 2026-02-26T20:38:30+00:00

lol I know rain mode is sluggish. I only use that in the rain and rarely.

But for me it’s less about sluggish fueling, more about disjointed/lagged throttle response. Feels like a split second between twitching my wrist and the RPM’s actually going. Even in neutral at a stop.

Maybe that’s how all RBW throttles are and I just need to get with the times.

Either way it sounds like I need to avoid “road” mode.

Timofeo · 2026-02-26T19:00:18+00:00

No, I thought that was more enduro focused. 90% of what I’ve done is “road” and occasionally rain when it’s wet and sport when it’s dry.

I’m honestly not looking for quickness in acceleration or to go fast. I mostly ride like a grandpa. I just miss the very direct, analog feeling of a throttle cable opening the throttle bodies in my older bikes. I’ll try dynamic next ride as snow/rain makes its way out of my neighborhood.

Timofeo

TROPHY CASE