A tiny village in the big county of St. Louis
A village less than half a square mile in size, Hanley Hills is one of many municipalities in St. Louis County. With the exception of a few buildings along its edges, most of the community is strictly residential and has a well-established feel. While the neighborhood had a population of about 2,400 in the 1990s, this number has declined over time. Hanley Hills is now home to about 1,900 people — many of whom are hoping to see the community become a place people want to stay long-term. “I’ve lived here for 31 years,” says Jeffrey Walton, the Hanley Hills Board of Trustees chairman. “We’ve got a lot of friendly people in Hanley Hills. We want it to be a great place to live or raise a family.” Though there were talks in recent years to change the incorporation status of the village, it remains a self-governed community 14 miles from downtown St. Louis.
Ranch-style homes north of Page Avenue
Hanley Hills was incorporated in 1948, so most of the ranch-style homes in the community date back to the late 1940s. A few homes from the 1920s are sprinkled in, but they are few and far between. Properties are tightly spaced, and most houses don’t exceed 1,200 square feet. Jacob Peistrup, the Media & SEO Strategist for Gateway Realty Group, says this area appeals to first-time homebuyers because “the houses are smaller, close together and lower in price. Houses are usually between $100,000 and $200,000.” Two-bedroom homes range from $70,000 to $130,000, and three-bedroom houses typically cost between $90,000 and $150,000. Hanley Hills has no sidewalks, and streets are narrow, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a walkable community. Because many of the roads in Hanley Hills are looped or come to a cul-de-sac, traffic is mainly limited to homeowners and renters.
Taking 70 into the city or catching the MetroLink
Downtown St. Louis is about 14 miles away and can be reached quickly via Interstate 70. For public transit, the bus stops along Page Avenue and links to the Wellston MetroLink station. While there are occasionally cyclists in the area, there are no designated bike lanes along the main thoroughfares.
Access to Normandy Schools Collaborative
Students can attend Normandy Schools Collaborative, starting with the Early Learning Center. From here, they can head to the Washington School, which receives a D-plus grade from Niche, and transition to Normandy High, a D-graded school with a 67% graduation rate. At Normandy High, students can participate in after-school programs like Chess Club and Future Business Leaders of America.
Takeout restaurants and nearby Smokehouse BBQ
The closest places to grab a bite are takeout joints like Chong Wah and casual grills like After Hours, but there are also barbecue spots within a mile drive, including Smokehouse BBQ. For shopping needs, Save A Lot is just off St. Charles Rock Road, along the neighborhood’s eastern border, and Fields Foods is about a mile east in Pagedale.
Walking distance to the local park and nearby Normandie Golf Club
Given the small size of Hanley Hills, there is only one park in its limits: Mildred M. Davis Memorial Park. Tucked behind the city hall building, the park includes a play area, pavilion and basketball court. For access to a larger green space and trails, Millar Park is about a mile south. Bordered to the north by Normandie Golf Club, Hanley Hills also invites residents to hit the fairways — but they will need to wait for the significant upgrade to be complete. With the help of Beyond Housing and other nonprofits, Normandie will now be a Jack Nicklaus Signature course. For things to do indoors, the Parkview Library branch and the movie theater in Pagedale are about a mile away.
Community celebrations and nearby Forest Park events
To keep neighbors connected, Hanley Hills holds a Juneteenth Celebration in the park each year, in addition to spring festivals, Independence Day events and Christmas luncheons. To access the biggest events in St. Louis, like the annual balloon race, Forest Park is about 5 miles away.
Crime Score above the national average
According to the CAP Index, the overall Crime Score in Hanley Hills is a 6, and the homicide Crime Score is a 9, both of which are higher than the national average of 4. Hanley Hills does have a neighborhood watch program in place, and, as of 2020, the community is served by the North County Police Cooperative.
Photography Contributed By
Daniele Giuseppe Del Gaudio
