The comforts of a small town accompany Kirkwood, a city of less than 30,000 people situated 15 miles southwest of St. Louis. “It's a fairly small geographic area, and because of its age, character and the tight community feel, it’s seen generations of families staying in the same neighborhoods,” says Sarah Bernard of Red Key Realty, one of the top Realtors in the city. With some of its downtown buildings dating back to the mid-1800s, Kirkwood maintains a historic charm despite its continued development. The city earns its reputation as a pedestrian-friendly place to live thanks to its network of sidewalks and centralized amenities, but it also grants residents access to public transit for trips to nearby cities and states.
Kirkwood has the small town charm with the amenities and conveniences of a large city.
Shops along Argonne and Old Route 61 sit in historic buildings as old as Kirkwood itself.
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Dining at Café Provencal or grabbing basics at Target
Locally owned restaurants and shops line the downtown section of Kirkwood Road, many of which are housed in century-old storefronts. “Kirkwood has many great, walkable streets lined with favorite restaurants, including Cafe Provencal for a date night or Billy G's,” Bernard says. Pizza joints like Dewey’s and bakeries like Strange Donuts are also popular stops for quick bites or snacks to enjoy while walking downtown. Grocery stores like Walmart Supercenter and Aldi are about a mile south, near the interstate, as are national retailers like Target and Burlington.
Cafe Provencal serves residents of Kirkwood French cuisine and a quiche of the day.
The Kirkwood Deli is a local hotspot of convenience items and quick bites like sandwiches.
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Steps away from the Magic House and STAGES
The events and education classes at The Magic House are a major draw for new homebuyers and long-term owners. “Kirkwood is known for The Magic House, a sprawling children's museum that many local parents visited as children and now take their own kids to,” Bernard says. Events in the community aren’t limited to children, however. The city is also home to STAGES, a performing arts center that has kept a steady lineup of musicals and plays since 1987.
The Magic House is a widely known attraction giving children the chance to learn about science.
The Kirkwood Performing Arts Center works with local arts organizations to design its programs.
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Homes from the 1960s to today, 15 miles from St. Louis
Because St. Louis County has several small cities to choose from, homebuyers have to decide which option is the best fit. “If it’s important for someone to be a part of the busyness of a small downtown area, they might prefer Kirkwood to the larger lots and more sprawling ranch home neighborhoods of Crestwood,” Bernard says. Although the highest-dollar homes in Kirkwood can come with up to a half-acre, most houses sit on smaller lots. Ranch-style homes from the 1940s and 1950s needing repair start around $110,000, but turnkey, three-bedroom options cost between $220,000 and $350,000. For four-bedroom homes, prices can range from $375,000 to $500,000, and newer builds with traditional architecture exceed $800,000. Folks seeking low-maintenance living in Kirkwood gravitate towards condos. One-bedroom units start around $100,000, while two-bedroom units run anywhere from $150,000 to $260,000. Luxury buildings along McCullough Avenue can cost as much as $600,000, depending on amenities and location.
A small brick bungalow with tudor influences adds to the array of home styles in Kirkwood.
Smaller bungalows soak up the colors of fall in Kirkwood.
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Walkable schools in the Kirkwood district
Students can attend Kirkwood School District, one of the oldest options in the St. Louis metropolitan area. They can begin at Tillman or Keysor Elementary and transition to either Nipher or North Middle — all of which receive an A from Niche. From here, students can attend Kirkwood High, an A-plus-graded school with a 98% graduation rate and over 60 after-school activities. For private options, several schools are within walking distance, including St. Peter and St. Vianney Catholic Schools.
Front entrance to Nipher Middle School
Front entrance of North Kirkwood Middle School
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Enjoying the outdoors at Kirkwood Park
Kirkwood Park fittingly sits at the city's center, and its over 90-acre grounds house the Kirkwood Community Center, the Aquatic Center and even an ice arena. The park’s playgrounds fill up in the afternoon, and fishermen settle along the edges of Walker Lake on Saturday mornings. Other parks with walking paths and trails are scattered throughout Kirkwood, including Walker Park and Dee Koestering Park, allowing locals to take in the natural beauty of western Missouri without leaving the city limits. Farmers markets and summer concert series happen downtown, but the parks host events like soccer games and fitness classes throughout the year.
Visitors enjoy paddleball at Kirkwood Park.
Enjoy the dock over looking Walker Lake at Kirkwood Park.
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Getting around and out of town from Kirkwood Station
Residents can reach downtown St. Louis or the St. Louis Lambert International Airport via Interstate 44 in about 15 miles, and Metro St. Louis bus lines provide a public transit alternative for commuters heading to major job hubs to the northeast. Transportation for trips outside the St. Louis area is also within reach. Built in the 19th century, Kirkwood Station features a historic stone exterior and accompanying brick walkway, and it is now the local stop for Amtrak.
The Kirkwood Train Station with it's distinctive architecture is a center point for the town.
Public transportation adds to the convenience of living in Kirkwood.
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