Penrose is a north Saint Louis neighborhood that’s popular with buyers looking for lower home prices. Most of the bungalows and cottages here were built between the 1920s and '60s, and while many of them need some renovations, they usually cost well below the citywide median. On top of that, the neighborhood is conveniently located next to Interstate 70, which gives you a direct route to Downtown Saint Louis and the St. Louis Lambert International Airport. You’ve also got schools, parks and a public library within walking distance.
Penrose is in north Saint Louis.
Penrose is about 6 miles from downtown Saint Louis.
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Cottages are common in Penrose.
How home prices compare with nearby Northside neighborhoods
The median sale price in Penrose is around $50,000, which is significantly less than the citywide median of about $255,000. However, it’s pretty similar to what you’ll find in nearby neighborhoods like Hamilton Heights and Kingsway. “Houses across the Northside are undergoing renovations, and that’s why the area is on the more affordable side of things,” says Paula Brown, a real estate agent with Ellis Luxury Homes who has sold homes in the area. “Locals are putting a lot of work into improving their community.” In Penrose, houses that need a lot of updates can start at under $10,000, while renovated houses sometimes reach the upper $100,000s.
Public and private schools in the area
Penrose is part of the Saint Louis Public School District. Students can attend Ashland Elementary School, which is in the neighborhood, before moving on to Yeatman-Liddell Middle School in O'Fallon and Vashon High School in Jeff-Vander-Lou. If you’re looking for private options, City Academy is just off Kingshighway Boulevard on the neighborhood’s northwest side. It serves students from prekindergarten through sixth grade, offers scholarship support and has an A rating from Niche.
Ashland Elementary School is in the neighborhood.
Yeatman-Liddell Middle School serves the neighborhood.
The neighborhood is zoned for Vashon High School.
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What parks are nearby
You can head to Penrose Park to ride bikes around the velodrome, a banked track designed for competitive cycling. The park also has a basketball court and a playground, and for even more space to get outside, the neighborhood is next to:
O'Fallon Park, where you can take a walk around a small lake and see an early 20th-century boathouse
Fairground Park, home to a swimming pool and an outdoor roller skating rink
W.C. Handy Park, which has a playground and basketball courts
Penrose Park has a playground.
Penrose Park is home to a velodrome.
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Access to social services and library programs
The Wesley House Association is a social service agency in the heart of Penrose. It provides the Northside area with several different services, including:
After-school programs and summer camps for kids
Back-to-school giveaways and resource fairs for families
Meal delivery and transportation for seniors
Penrose is also home to the Julia Davis branch of the St. Louis Public Library, which reopened in the spring of 2026 after some renovations. You can go there to use the computer lab or enjoy community events like movie nights and craft workshops.
Fast-food restaurants and groceries are close to home
You don't have to go far to pick up dinner, with places like McDonald's, White Castle and Rally's along Natural Bridge Avenue on Penrose's south side. There's also a Schnucks farther up the street when it's time to stock up on groceries. For even more stores and restaurants, Clayton is about 8 miles away. The suburb's downtown district is filled with clothing boutiques, coffee shops and cocktail bars.
Public transportation is easily accessible here.
The drive to downtown Saint Louis and the airport
I-70 runs along Penrose's northern edge and leads to downtown Saint Louis, roughly 6 miles away, and the St. Louis Lambert International Airport, about 9 miles west. The drive to either one of those places usually takes 10 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic. You also have easy access to public transportation, with MetroBus routes stopping along several neighborhood streets.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
A lot of which are maintained but outdated because out budget issues.
4.0Niche User
3/11/2015Niche Review
A lot of local business are family owned so their budget is pretty tight but they manage. The customer service is good because their typically friendly people.
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Penrose Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Penrose, Saint Louis sell after 51 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Penrose, Saint Louis over the last 12 months is $49,000, down 18% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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