Affton

When talking about inner-ring St. Louis suburbs, many people look west. If you look south, however, you’ll find Affton, a quiet classic that offers plenty of amenities and a very attractive opportunity for homebuyers. With its convenient location, less than 20 minutes away from downtown St. Louis, and unique housing options, Affton distinguishes itself as a great option for anyone seeking a blend of comfortable suburban life and urban excitement.

In Affton, you’ll find a sampling of St. Louis architecture through the years. The most common architectural style you’ll see are ranch-style houses, many of which were built in the mid-to-late 20th century when ranch-style homes saw a surge of popularity, and were built to populate many of the expanding suburbs in St. Louis County. As an inner-ring suburb, Affton is among the oldest neighborhoods in the county, and features some homes that date back to the beginning of the 20th century. You’ll find plenty of National-style cottages, many of which were built close to a century ago. These pragmatic and unadorned houses are icons of working-class American architecture, and their simplicity and trustworthiness have kept them popular and viable even after all these years. On the other side of things, you’ll find cozy looking brick homes with Storybook and Tudor influences, featuring rounded front doors, steep-pitched roofs and stonework accents, built in the 1930s and ‘40s. There are also more newly constructed Traditional-style homes, as well as condos and other multifamily options for anyone looking to save time on yardwork.

The pricing in Affton sets this neighborhood apart from other inner-ring suburbs of St. Louis, and makes it a great option for first-time buyers. Smaller homes and condos with floor plans of around 1,000 square feet sell for between $100,000 and $200,000. Larger homes in the neighborhood offer 1,500 to 2,000 square feet of space for between $250,000 and $400,000. At a much lower price point than neighborhoods like Ladue and Clayton where home prices can easily reach into the millions, Affton residents get to enjoy the same proximity to the excitement of downtown St. Louis, with the added benefit of taking Interstates 44 for 55 into the city and avoiding the traffic that commonly plagues Interstate 64, which is west county’s primary route into the city.

Students in Affton are split into four different schools, rather than three, throughout their primary and secondary educations. Mesnier Primary School serves the neighborhood’s youngest students for Kindergarten through second grade, after which they’ll move on to Gotsch Intermediate School for third through fifth grades, Rogers Middle for sixth through eighth, and finally Affton High School.

When you want to spend some time outside, the neighborhood’s parks are a great option. Mathilda Welmering Park features basketball hoops, multi-purpose athletic fields, and a reservable shelter for picnics and gatherings. There’s also a spray fountain play area to help keep the kids cool during the warmer months, as well as a playground that they can enjoy year-round. Ohlendorf Park features a playground with fun, unique climbing structures, as well as athletic fields and a reservable shelter.

Of course, you’ll be just a few miles away from some of the best restaurants around in south St. Louis neighborhoods like Soulard, but if you want delicious food you don’t even have to leave the neighborhood. Breakfast and Burgers is a local spot whose name sums it all up. Located in the east side of the neighborhood, this veteran-owned Affton favorite serves up classic, hearty breakfast foods in the morning, and a wide variety of specialty burgers for lunch. When you’re sourcing ingredients for a special recipe, or just stocking your pantry with the essentials, head to the local Schnucks. This family-owned grocery chain is a St. Louis staple, and you’ll love having the location at Tesson Ferry and Gravois Roads just a few miles from your Affton home.

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned suburbanite, the convenience, community, and stability of this neighborhood is sure to please. When you’re looking for your St. Louis County home, look south, and find Affton.

Written By

Alexander Hubbard

Photography Contributed By

Dana Dieckmann

Video By

Daniel Quattro