Monday, July 13, 2009
9. Lake St. Louis, MO
Top 100 rank: 9Population: 13,900Typical single-family house: $230,000Estimated property taxes: $3,000Unemployment rate: 7.6%Pluses: Affordable homes, activities galoreMinuses: Significant jobless rate, little diversity
Created 40 years ago as a resort community, this friendly town outside St. Louis has two man-made lakes, plus five parks, three golf courses, and a 650-horse equestrian center. But the place was soon colonized by full-time residents with children, drawn by the myriad activities and low crime.
Lake St. Louis has two main flaws. First, in order to enjoy all the town's perks, including a clubhouse with swimming pool and tennis courts, you must join the Community Association (annual dues: $450 per family)--and the 20% of residents who live outside the association's boundaries aren't eligible.
Second, Lake St. Louis is one town over from a General Motors plant that will complete layoffs of nearly half its 1,800 workers this month. That's not good news, since the jobless rate is already on the high side. However, thanks in part to lots of health-care employers here, strong job growth is projected over the next five years.
So much for the minuses….
If anyone is curious…LSL in LSLMcWhorter stands for Lake Saint Louis
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