I Can’t Afford My Favorite Neighborhood — Now What? Smart Alternatives for St. Louis Home Buyers

Every buyer has a dream neighborhood or dream home, but not everyone has a dream budget. If you’ve been driving by houses for sale that you can’t afford — and feeling defeated — it may be time to figure out what it is that makes it appealing to you. Chances are, there’s a neighborhood in St. Louis that offers something similar to what you desire for a more manageable price. 

We’ll tell you some affordable alternatives to Clayton, Ladue, and other popular high-dollar areas that might have just what you’re looking for.

The Central West End is a top choice for its walkability, trendy restaurants, shopping, and proximity to Forest Park and universities. There’s also a lot to love about the stately historic brick homes along beautiful tree-lined streets. But in order to afford a single-family property in the heart of the area, you’d likely need to pay $700,000 or more. 

For a similar vibe that might fit your budget, consider these options:

• A condo or townhome in the Central West End can start around $200,000. With no lawn to mow and a maintenance crew to take care of the property, you won’t have to worry about the typical expenses of owning a home while still enjoying the vibrant area.

• A row house in Soulard. This oldest neighborhood in St. Louis was built in the 1850s, a half-century prior to the Central West End. Walk to the Farmer’s Market, watch the famous Mardi Gras parade, and enjoy live music from a variety of venues. While many larger Soulard homes cost more than $500,000, smaller homes often become available for closer to $300,000.

• A storybook home in St. Louis Hills. Built around the 1920s, this quaint area in southwest city offers architecture straight out of the pages of Hansel and Gretel. Many of the gingerbread-style buildings feature interesting stone work and stained glass windows, and sell for less than $400,000. No two homes are alike, and together they create an adorable neighborhood surrounded by parks, shops, pubs, and ice cream shops (hello Ted Drewes).

• A bungalow in Old St. Charles. From $300,000, these charming vintage homes are within walking distance to quaint shops, pubs, and restaurants along Historic Main Street. Another perk: You can easily hop on biking and walking trails that go for miles along the Mississippi

There’s no question that higher-priced homes and quality education correlate in St. Louis neighborhoods. For instance, Clayton and Ladue districts top Niche’s list of best schools in St. Louis, with the average home value in those areas around $1.3 million. But there are plenty of reputable school districts that don’t require living in a mansion.  

Rockwood school district ranks number three on the list, and serves kids from Ballwin, Ellisville, Eureka, Fenton, and Wildwood. Homes available in those cities range from $350,000 to $600,000.

Kirkwood education is also highly ranked at number four, and the median listing price for homes there is $450,000. However, there are some Kirkwood homes for sale for a little above $300,000 if you’re willing to consider a condo or a two-bedroom house. 

Webster Groves schools are fifth on the list, with the average home price around $500,000. But more affordable neighborhoods, including Rock Hill and Shrewsbury, also feed into Webster schools, with a median price range of $270,000.

Ranked number six, Parkway School District serves families living in several affluent areas, including Town and Country (with average home prices around $1 million), and Chesterfield and Creve Coeur (both averaging above $600,000). However, kids from Maryland Heights, Valley Park, and Winchester also attend Parkway schools, and homes there are available from $250,000 and up.  

Two A+ ranked districts that are more affordable than those mentioned above are Maplewood-Richmond Heights and Brentwood, where the median home value is just above $230,000.

And if you’re interested in living about 40 minutes west of St. Louis in St. Charles County, Francis Howell and Fort Zumwalt school districts each boast A ratings for education. Many homes there are priced between $300,000 and $400,000.

Here’s a little house hunting advice if new construction seems out of your reach: Keep looking until you find a development that fits your budget. Sure, there are gorgeous million- (and multi-million) dollar homes going up throughout Chesterfield and Kirkwood. But there are also some amazing, more affordable new neighborhoods available in St. Louis. Your realtor will be able to point you towards communities and home plans that meet your price point so you can finally live in the home of your dreams.

Here are some examples as of Fall 2025:

Langeneckert Farms by McBride Homes. Located in Oakville off of Ringer Road, these new construction homes start at $470,000 with several floor plans to choose from. The prime location provides easy access to highways I-55 and I-270, so it’s perfect for anyone who works downtown, in Clayton, or on the Illinois side of the river. There are also plenty of shopping venues and restaurants in the South County area. 

Cottleville Trails by McKelvey Homes. This adorable St. Charles County community is perfect for families. Starting at $502,000, you can build a home with access to a neighborhood pool and clubhouse, as well as five lakes. A 5-minute golf cart ride (yes, they are allowed there) will take you to local shops and restaurants, and the kids will be within 10 minutes of schools in the top-rated Francis Howell School District.

Arlington Heights by Rolwes. How does a brand new home for under $400,000 sound? Just head south down Highway 55 to Imperial, about 25 minutes from downtown St. Louis. Residents here enjoy a relaxing, scenic countryside surrounded by rolling hills, but can easily stay active with quick access to Mastodon State Park for hiking and outdoor activities. 

Harvest Cottages by Fischer and Frichtel. For a price that’s almost unheard of when it comes to new construction, homes in this O’Fallon, MO community start at just $322,900. Amenities include a 13+ acre town square, lakes, dog parks, a food truck court, a farmers market, pickleball courts, playgrounds, and much more. Floor plans include 1.5 and 2-story designs, but if a ranch is more your style, the adjacent Harvest Villas community starts at just $357,900. 

St. Louis is a huge region with endless possibilities for where to live. There are 79 neighborhoods within the city, 90 municipalities within St. Louis County, and countless other suburbs and townships in outlying areas. Realtors at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties are highly knowledgeable about the price points and perks of different communities throughout the region and would love to help you land in a home you love.