Everything You Need to Know About Moving to Chesterfield

Situated 25 miles west of Downtown St. Louis, along the banks of the Missouri River, is Chesterfield, Missouri, a bustling and fast-growing suburb on the outskirts of the St. Louis metro region. With a population hovering at 50,000 residents, it's the second-largest municipality in St. Louis County, a few thousand residents behind Florissant. Adjacent St. Louis is an independent city, therefore unaffiliated with its namesake county. Regardless, as part of Greater St. Louis, Chesterfield is regularly lauded as one of the most desirable places to call home in the entire St. Louis region.

 

Few cities in this part of Missouri boast the unique features and amenities that make Chesterfield an ideal landing spot. Below, we introduce you to this extraordinary suburban enclave and everything you need to know about moving to Chesterfield.

 

Tucked along the Greater St. Louis far western boundary, Chesterfield provides one of the most distinguished residential experiences anywhere in the region. Bisected east to west by Interstate 64 and a portion traversing the shoreline of the Missouri River, it's a bucolic setting, never too far from the conveniences of a larger metropolitan city.

 

The city's strategic location is just a 30-minute drive from downtown St. Louis and several of the area's most popular attractions. Take in a Cardinals baseball game at Busch Stadium or a Blues hockey game at Enterprise Center. St. Louis Lambert International Airport is a 20-minute drive.

 

Quiet and laid back, the community also possesses a distinctive buzz that comes with being a city on the rise and a sought-after destination for new residents.

 

Though primarily a collection of upscale residential homes sheltered under a lush, expansive canopy of trees in its eastern and southern neighborhoods, Chesterfield is not your typical far-flung bedroom community. There's an abundance of unique shops, great restaurants, an assortment of breweries, and exciting destinations to explore throughout the area.

 

Particularly noted for its impressive collection of shopping areas, the area is home to St. Louis Premium Outlets. Featuring nearly 100 stores and a handful of eateries and specialty shops, it's one of the most popular retail destinations in the region. Located in a section of town with considerable development potential, the outlet center includes upscale brands such as Coach, Michael Koss, and Polo Ralph Lauren.

 

In the heart of town, the Chesterfield Mall is slated for a $1 billion redevelopment project to transform the mall and the surrounding neighborhood into Downtown Chesterfield. The ambitious effort will expand the location's current footprint into an urban focal point with parks, cultural, entertainment and pedestrian amenities, municipal services, and preservation of the city's historic buildings. A festive, live-work-play central gathering space for residents and visitors alike.

 

Much of this and other commercial areas in Chesterfield are easily reachable, just a few minutes by car. Though the city's future plans see the new downtown and several other areas of development as beacons of high walkability.

 

Chesterfield's other commercial district, Chesterfield Commons, is tucked between I-64 (Highway 40) and Edison Avenue. Here the bulk of the city's dining resides a mix of local favorites and well-regarded national chains. Across the interstate, many a weekend night (and weekday) begin or end at the Top Golf St. Louis - Chesterfield.

 

At the opposite end of the complex from Top Golf, The Factory at the District features 52,000 square feet of event space, built specifically for live music performances. Capable of seating up to 3,000 people, the immersive, highly configurable concert hall can accommodate numerous gatherings, from knock down the walls rock concerts to intimate affairs of just a few hundred attendees or less.

The sprawling twin event spaces are a testament to area locals' ability to relax and unwind on a grand scale. But beneath Chesterfield's urban-suburban facade is a rural outpost that favors outdoor recreational pursuits.

 

It's not uncommon to see locals out and about, utilizing Chesterfield's numerous parks, trails, and athletic facilities. The city has nearly 600 acres of park space, 43 acres of wetlands and more than 45 miles of bike and hike trails. From the 11-mile-long Monarch-Chesterfield Levee Trail, you can link up with the Katy Trail in adjacent St. Charles County and access over 250 miles of trails, including those for equestrian trail riding.

 

Chesterfield is also home to one of the region's most impressive athletic facilities. Situated on the northern side of I-64, the 176-acre Chesterfield Valley Athletic Complex boasts an extensive collection of community sports fields. The numbers are indeed impressive:

 

The athletic park also includes the unique Miracle Field. An idea of former Cardinal player and manager Mike Matheny, the field is designed to meet the needs of disabled children who still want to experience the joy of playing baseball. A truly remarkable addition to the athletic complex.

 

Additional outdoor activities in Chesterfield include The Landings at Spirit Golf Club. The 18-hole public golf course sits adjacent to the Spirit of St. Louis Airport, which hosts the annual Spirit of St. Louis Air Show & STEM Expo.

 

Finally, the Chesterfield Family Aquatic Center boasts several family-friendly activities, including water slides, a lazy river, a competition pool, and a kid's splash pad. Right next door is 55-acre Central Park, which features a fishable lake and the Chesterfield Amphitheater.

Perhaps a rarity among Midwestern suburbs, and despite its reputation as a haven for growing and established families, Chesterfield offers a little something for everyone.

 

Regardless of where one finds themselves in their personal or professional life, singles, couples, those raising kids, and empty nesters or retirees all thrive here. The focus above on an outdoor lifestyle, excellent schools, family-centered amenities, and a rustic, suburban vibe appeal is an irresistible draw to anyone looking for an idyllic community.

 

Of course, the most pressing issue is housing for anyone set to make Chesterfield their home. With over 75 unique neighborhoods, and an outstanding inventory of homes, the problem isn't finding a house you'll love to call home; it's deciding which house you love the most.

 

Based solely on aesthetics, few places in Greater St. Louis compare to the vibrancy of the neighborhoods that begin in the city's northeastern section, above I-64, before expanding south and west below the major thoroughfare. Many homes are tucked back into a canopy of trees occupying large lots, an acre or more in the most popular locales.

 

Architectural styles vary greatly, though the newest and grandest residences favor traditional French or contemporary designs. These are huge homes, with plenty of space for large immediate or extended generational families and entertaining. In fact, for those needing more than 4,000 square feet or more of living area, it's not hard to find in Chesterfield. You can find these homes in the Arbors at Kehrs Mill, Arrowhead Estates, and along Wild Horse Creek Road.

 

Smaller, more modest residences are also available, but rest assured, they don't skimp on the luxury. Homes such as those found at Grand Reserve offer a home buyer numerous floor plan options. 

 

Chesterfield also includes a smaller collection of condos, townhomes, and low-maintenance living options. However, for those considering downsizing in a few years, and with the city's plans to urbanize a portion of the area around Chesterfield Mall, you can expect luxury alternatives to start popping up over the next half-decade.

If you need help determining where exactly in Chesterfield to shop for homes, many locals look to their preferred school to decide. Fortunately, the city is served by two of the best districts in the state—Rockwood and Parkway.

 

 

Ranked the fourth and sixth best school districts in Missouri, each feature an impressive roster of A to A+ rated schools, including those that serve elementary, middle and high school students.

 

Rockwood is the larger of the two districts, covering the western side of Chesterfield. Among its most notable individual schools, Chesterfield Elementary and Wild Horse Elementary serve Chesterfield. Students feed into the equally impressive Crestview Middle School and then Lafayette and Marquette High Schools.

 

For its part, Parkway serves the eastern half of the city, including Parkway Central High School and Parkway West High School, two of the top such schools in the state.

 

Should you seek a private education, Chesterfield is close to several top-rated institutions, mainly if you live in the city's eastern half. Here you're a short drive from Visitation Academy, which includes the best private all-girls high school in the state. Nearby, Saint Louis Priory School is the top all-boys Catholic high school. Others include The Fulton School, Westminster Christian Academy, and The Whitfield School.

 

Ready to take the next step in your real estate journey and explore Chesterfield luxury homes for sale? Contact Mary Beth Benes at The Benes Group today and allow her years of experience and expertise to guide you in navigating Greater St. Louis' luxury real estate market.

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