St. Louis TRACON (T75)

📍 About T75 & St. Louis

St. Louis TRACON (T75) is located at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL) and provides approach and departure services across eastern Missouri and western Illinois. The St. Louis metro area features a mix of urban excitement and affordable suburban living. From charming brick neighborhoods to modern suburbs with great schools, T75 controllers have plenty of options nearby.

🏡 Where to Live

St. Louis City – Singles & Couples

• Central West End – Walkable, historic, and near parks and nightlife.
• Soulard – Trendy and historic with bars, brunch spots, and farmers markets.
• Tower Grove – Diverse, vibrant, and close to Tower Grove Park and cafes.
• Downtown – Great for loft living, Cardinals games, and city views.

Suburbs – Families

• Kirkwood – Excellent schools, small-town charm, and family vibe.
• Webster Groves – Historic homes, parks, and top-tier schools.
• Chesterfield – Larger homes, shopping, and great schools west of STL.
• St. Charles – Affordable and growing, with a great downtown and river access.

Illinois Side – Affordable & Accessible

• Edwardsville – College town feel with good schools and easy STL access.
• O’Fallon – Military and family-friendly with suburban appeal.
• Belleville – Lower housing costs and straightforward commutes.

🚗 Commute Times to T75 (Lambert-St. Louis International Airport)

• 5–15 min: Bridgeton, Hazelwood, Maryland Heights, St. Ann
• 15–30 min: Kirkwood, Creve Coeur, University City, Florissant
• 30–45 min: Chesterfield, St. Charles, O’Fallon, Webster Groves, Edwardsville (IL)

🎓 Top School Districts

• Kirkwood School District – Highly rated, strong academics and community involvement.
• Webster Groves School District – Excellent public schools with diverse programs.
• Parkway School District – Large suburban district with great extracurriculars.
• Fort Zumwalt School District – Great public schools serving the St. Charles/O’Fallon area.

🧳 Things to Do – Within 2 Hours, Year-Round

🌲 Outdoor Activities

• Forest Park: One of the largest urban parks in the U.S. with trails, museums, and a zoo.
• Katy Trail: Ideal for biking, walking, and nature views stretching across Missouri.
• Castlewood State Park: Popular hiking and scenic river bluffs just west of the city.
• Missouri Botanical Garden: Beautiful year-round and great for relaxing or events.

🏛️ Indoor & Cultural

• St. Louis Art Museum & Science Center: Free admission and located in Forest Park.
• City Museum: Massive urban playground made from repurposed architecture.
• St. Louis Symphony & Fox Theatre: World-class music and Broadway touring shows.
• Breweries & Baseball: Tour Anheuser-Busch and catch a Cardinals game downtown.

✈️ Nearby Airports

• St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL): ~0–15 minutes — T75 is located here.
• St. Louis Downtown Airport (CPS): ~25 minutes — General aviation and flight schools.
• Spirit of St. Louis Airport (SUS): ~30 minutes — Business jets and GA operations in Chesterfield.

🧭 Helpful Resources for Newcomers

• City of St. Louis
• Missouri DMV
• Illinois Driver Services (for IL suburbs)
• Metro Transit – Bus & Light Rail
• Best Places to Live – STL

🛡️ Crime & Safety + Town Websites

• St. Louis City: Crime varies heavily by neighborhood — Central West End and Tower Grove are safer city options.
• Suburbs like Kirkwood, Chesterfield, and Webster Groves: Low crime, family-friendly, strong local police presence.
• Illinois side (Edwardsville, O’Fallon): Generally safe, with excellent school ratings and lower violent crime.

🔗 Town Websites

• Kirkwood, MO
• Webster Groves, MO
• Chesterfield, MO
• Maryland Heights, MO
• Edwardsville, IL
• O’Fallon, IL
• City of St. Louis

💰 Cost of Living

• Housing: Median home price in STL metro: $240,000–$310,000. Rent for 1-bedroom: $1,000–$1,400/month.
• Taxes: Missouri has a state income tax (~5%). Property taxes vary but are lower than national average in many areas.
• Utilities: ~$180/month for an average apartment (electric, water, trash).
• Gas: ~$3.30–$3.60/gallon, varies by side of the river.
• Groceries: On par with national average. Milk ~$3.50, eggs ~$2.80, bread ~$3.00.

🌆 Neighborhood Highlights

• Central West End: Beautiful historic homes, walkable to restaurants and parks.
• Kirkwood: Quiet streets, great schools, and strong community vibe.
• Tower Grove: Trendy, diverse, close to gardens, markets, and parks.
• Chesterfield: Upscale suburban living with great shopping.
• St. Charles Historic Main Street: Riverfront charm, festivals, and boutiques.

☀️ Seasonal Weather

• Winter: Cold with occasional snow and ice. Temps range from 20s–40s °F.
• Spring: Warm and rainy, with blooming flowers and thunderstorms.
• Summer: Hot and humid. Temps often in the 90s °F — air conditioning is a must.
• Fall: Crisp and cool with colorful foliage — very pleasant season.

🚇 Public Transportation & Traffic

• MetroLink Light Rail: Runs east-west through STL, with stops at STL Airport, downtown, and IL side.
• MetroBus: Citywide bus service; more useful for those living near central STL.
• Driving: Most T75 controllers own a vehicle. I-70 and I-64 are main commuter routes with usual rush hour congestion.
• Illinois commuters: Bridges over the Mississippi can get backed up during peak hours.

🏥 Healthcare & Urgent Care

• BJC Healthcare: Flagship hospital in Central West End; highly rated medical network.
• Mercy Hospital St. Louis: Large private hospital in west STL (Creve Coeur area).
• SSM Health: Numerous urgent care and specialty locations across STL and IL side.
• Urgent Care Options: Total Access Urgent Care, Mercy-GoHealth, and Walgreens Clinics.

🫂 Social Life & Community

• Young Professionals: Look to CWE, Soulard, or Tower Grove for bars, trivia nights, and breweries.
• Families: Suburban towns like Kirkwood and Chesterfield offer great parks, libraries, and youth programs.
• Community Involvement: STL is big on local volunteerism, faith-based groups, and citywide festivals (Mardi Gras, Pride, art fairs).

🍽️ Dining & Food Scene

• BBQ: Pappy’s Smokehouse, Bogart’s, Sugarfire — STL-style ribs and burnt ends.
• Local Eats: Imo’s Pizza (provel cheese), toasted ravioli, Gooey Butter Cake.
• Ethnic Cuisine: Authentic Bosnian (Bevo Mill), Vietnamese (South Grand), and Mexican (Cherokee Street).
• Craft Beer: Urban Chestnut, 4 Hands Brewing, Schlafly — all local favorites.

🛫 ATC-Specific Tips

• Training: Living close to STL is helpful during initial training — early/mid/late shifts rotate often.
• Community: Controllers tend to cluster in Maryland Heights, St. Charles, and Kirkwood.
• Weather: Prepare for IFR days — thunderstorm season runs late spring through summer.

📦 Moving Tips

• Peak rental season: May–August, especially around Wash U and SLU campuses.
• Buy snow gear: Ice scrapers, snow tires, and winter boots are worth the investment.
• Moving companies: Book early — STL has military PCS overlap during peak months.

❓ FAQs

• Is St. Louis safe?
  Yes — many neighborhoods are very safe. Use city crime maps when picking an area.
• Can I live in Illinois and work at T75?
  Yes. Many do, but watch for bridge traffic and tolls.
• Is MetroLink reliable?
  Yes for airport, downtown, and events. Car is still recommended for everyday life.