My morning newspaper just informed me St. Louis ranks as the second-worst city in both Men’s and Women's Health. Could that be a result of its number one position as the most violent city in the United States? And; if that is not bad enough St. Louis had 164 cloudy days last year.
We are a good fifty miles from that sad city. While our little piece of the world is a place where some folks still feel no need to search for house keys misplaced for decades: the recent statistics are coming just a tad to close to home for the comfort of my California husband. Me too if I were to be truthful.
The same article listed the best cities in the U.S. and three Texas cities were in the top twenty. One of them is also rated as the best city for retired military in terms of availability to health care and quality of life. No wonder the “Old Salt” has been working hard at convincing me we should consider the land of big hats and "howdy". Guess it is time I started giving it some serious consideration.
I'm asking all my wonderful Texas readers to enlighten us on what part of your fair state would be the best place for a pacific coast(China)sailor(who did not know that ice could be made outside of a refrigerator) and his arthritic wife who has to hibernate during the rainy mid-west seasons.
Saturday, March 07, 2009
3 comments:
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With all due respect, St. Louis is not a "sad city". It is beautiful, historic, cultural and a wonderful place to raise a family. Obviously, I'm a native, but I haven't lived there for many years. I visit regularly though, and am repeatedly reminded what a lovely place it is. That crap about it being the "most dangerous city in the country" is just that: crap.
ReplyDeleteRita, I live just a few miles from the city, and I love it.
ReplyDeleteIs it coincidence that when St. Louis was playing Detroit in the 2006 World Series that St. Louis was voted the worst city for crime and Detroit came in second?
Funny how a team can win the Series, have all sorts of celebrations with the public, like parades, rallies, etc., and not one car is overturned, not one store window broken, not one store looted, and no vandalism to speak
of. ( I know. Don't end a sentence with a preposition.) Everything was neat and orderly.
St. Louis is one of the safest cities to which I have been. (solved the ending preposition thing : ] )
I spent four years at St. Louis University when it was a "concrete" campus. Yes, there were problems at night. It's a city!! However, it is now a beautiful campus with plenty of light.
Where I live, which is St. Louis County, there was a break-in amidst the community for the first time since I can remember. I have lived here over 50 years. The big buzz at the gym that day was " O my Gosh!! Does that mean I have to start locking my doors?"
I haven't locked my doors for years--except at night. I have taken walks at midnight down the street and back, and I was perfectly safe. The police are a stone throw's away.
Anyway, I for one will stay put. I like my little home in 63122. I love the feel of a real neighborhood, a real community of families whose main concern is the safety of the kids --and everyone else living here.
I like the way I can pop in on the fire department for a chat or to watch tv.
I like the fact that when my Doxie gets stuck under my house, the fire dept. - in full regalia- comes to my rescue.
They had to saw through the deck and get into the tunnels that the Doxies had made to rescue the little one.
Stastistics can be made to say anything that the person working with them wants them to say... ask anyone who has written a Master's Thesis. It was great fun trying to pose a question for an interview without personal bias attached !!
The Stat Gurus can say what they like, but they don't live here. I do. St. Louis comes with all the perks and not-so-perks of any city. It has its crime districts, crack houses, and problems just as any big city does.
It also has its world-renowned St. Louis Zoo. The Botanical Garden , Busch Stadium, Powell Sympony Hall, the Edward Jones Dome, Fox Theatre, the Scott Trade Center, America's Center, Steinberg Skating Rink, Barnes Hospital and Complex, St. Louis University Hospital and Complex, many fine hotels and restaurants, the Hill - well known Italian restaurant area- are all located in St. Louis City Center. That list is just for starters.
The truth is, Rita, that your writing this is timely. Several of us on CM are, for the third year, hosting a St. Patrick's Day weekend. We are staying at a hotel in the middle of the city. People from all over the USA are coming together this weekend for some good clean fun, and I don't anticipate any problems.
Yes, I will remind them to use their heads. Don't go walking to Laclede's Landing alone late at night. Be aware of your surroundings. Have your cell phone charged and with you at all times, ready to use. There is safety in numbers.
St. Louis is a chance well worth taking, and I, for one, will take that chance.
When are you coming up? I will have to take you into the city and show you some of the wonderful aspects that I enjoy so much about St. Louis.
Slan agus Beannacht!
Mary Kathryn
Mary Kathryn,
ReplyDeleteYour beautiful love letter to St. Louis brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for saying it far more eloquently than me.
- the same Anonymous as above