Saint John

Sycamore Hills is a tiny village in northwest St. Louis known for its well-maintained and carefully updated turn-of-the-20th-century homes. While neighborhood names are often evocative but not literal, this neighborhood really does have streets lined with large sycamore trees, many more than 100 years old. And, as this quiet neighborhood is less than 10 miles from the banks of the Mississippi River, its streets lie on gentle hills common to the river’s floodplain. These visible assets are part of the reason that some residents have lived here for generations and have passed their homes on to children and grandchildren. Paul Wagner, Realtor with Keller Williams Realty, a former resident of Sycamore Hills and a real estate agent since 2017, explains further, “Sycamore Hills is, in many ways, a classic early 20th-century American neighborhood. Homes are attractive and well-designed, with front porches, sidewalks and pretty yards. They’re close enough to each other, so buyers will absolutely get to know their neighbors, which is fairly unusual in newer neighborhoods. I tell buyers that they will definitely find a true sense of community in Sycamore Hills.” Most homes in Sycamore Hills were built from 1900 to 1940 and include cottages, bungalows and a few Tudor-style houses. Home to just about 700 residents, Sycamore Hills is almost exclusively residential, except for a few small businesses. Residents are tight-knit, protective of each other and house-proud. Realtor Wagner adds, “Property values have gone up a bit the past few years here, which can’t be said of all northwest St. Louis neighborhoods. Residents here work hard to preserve and protect the neighborhood, not only by updating and restoring their homes but also by encouraging sales to owner occupants, which helps keep homes in good shape.” Two-story cottages from 1911 have recently sold for $145,000 to $180,000. Tudor-influenced homes from the 1930s have recently sold for around $180,000 to $195,000. Norman Meyers Park offers seven acres. Kids enjoy the baseball fields after school and on weekends while little ones swarm the playgrounds. A walking track and a large picnic pavilion provide opportunities for relaxation. Golfers will enjoy living minutes from Normandie Golf Club, one of the oldest public golf courses west of the Mississippi. It is currently under renovation by the renowned Jack Nicklaus Design firm and is expected to re-open in 2024. LaJoy’s Coffee Café offers coffee, sweet treats and discounts for students, seniors and first responders. George’s Diner is known for their pancakes and their burgers. Shoppers can’t miss the cow statue perched on top of John’s Butcher Shoppee, which has been around since 1974. Residents can find Marshalls, Wingstop and Schnucks nearby at Overland Plaza. Neighboring Overland hosts a farmers market on Saturdays between May and October. Missouri-raised beef and fresh local fruits will tantalize the tastebuds while visitors can enjoy the music of a live bluegrass band. St Louis offers a full calendar of year-round events, including The Loop Ice Carnival held every January, Soulard Mardi Gras in March and Arch Madness for basketball lovers every March. Kids in Sycamore Hills can attend Ritenour School District, which has an overall Niche grade of C. Wyland Elementary earns a C-grade from Niche and offers kindergarten through fifth grade. Ritenour Middle has a Niche grade of C-minus. Ritenour Senior High has an overall Niche grade of C-plus and is ranked one of the best college prep public high schools in Missouri. They also offer more than 40 clubs and activities, including a Renaissance Club and a Sports Medicine Club. Residents of Sycamore Hills can walk to nearby Metro Link stations for trips downtown. Highway 180 borders the north edge of the neighborhood, leading to the interchange with Interstate 170. St. Louis Lambert International Airport is a 5-mile drive from home. Residents benefit from their location, less than 4 miles from Mercy Hospital St. Louis and its surrounding medical centers.