****Negativity Alert****You've been warned!
Working in the exurbs for nearly 14 years has taught me a thing or two about the misconceptions of non-St. Louisians living in the region.
Here are a few to get me started. I realize these are generalizations, but I've tried to compile the ones that come up time and time again.
Working in the exurbs for nearly 14 years has taught me a thing or two about the misconceptions of non-St. Louisians living in the region.
Here are a few to get me started. I realize these are generalizations, but I've tried to compile the ones that come up time and time again.
- St. Louis County people refer to St. Louis as "Downtown", meaning the entire city is "downtown"
- Very few suburbanites know where to park for free at Cardinal games (maybe this is for the better). There are many, many spots for free within a 15 minute walk of Busch-III.
- When many suburbanites read/hear of new businesses, restaurants opening in the city, they will say it won't last. Nothing in the city lasts long.
- They think you can't be a pedestrian in the city. They fear muggings. Most of all though, they just aren't familiar with St. Louis streets and neighborhoods, and don't know how to get around.
- Few suburbanites will admit that racist tendencies influence their school district and home choices. I realize mentioning race is inflammatory to many; but, I truly believe this to be the case in my personal experience. I actually find it refreshing when the rare person is honest about their demographics needs.
- They don't realize that they are NOT living/working in St. Louis.
- They don't know where the city starts/ends and where the county starts/ends.
- Many exurbanites are completely unaware that there are nearly 10,000 Bosnian/Croatian/Roma living in St. Louis and the inner ring suburbs.
- Many exurbanites think you need a big yard to give a kid a "good upbringing".
This of course drives me nuts. Am I missing any?
