Arnold, MO

Incorporated in September of 1972, Arnold has undergone a major transformation in little more than 40 years. Once regarded as a small river town outside of St. Louis, Arnold has grown into a commercially viable suburban city that has witnessed considerable population growth. The explosive growth began during the late 1990s, when Jefferson County relaxed its commercial development codes to attract businesses. Arnold residents that commuted dozens of miles to work in St. Louis decided to find jobs within short drives of their homes. The booming commercial development has triggered the development of sprawling apartment complexes that young professionals call home.

Arnold residents travel into St. Louis city and county to enjoy museums and other cultural amenities. However, the city host numerous annual events that rival events put on by larger St,. Louis suburbs. For example, Arnold's 4th of July celebration presents one of largest firework displays in the region.

The central restaurant location of Arnold at the intersection of Big Bill and Richardson Roads features mostly chain restaurants. Arnold residents who enjoy independent restaurants dine at venues along Jeffco Boulevard, where independent restaurants flourish. The Pasta House Co serves up classic Italian fare in a comfortable setting. This local, kid-friendly chain has a large offering of pizzas and pastas. Locals rave about the large salads and meaty lasagna.

El Paisano Mexican restaurant features authentic Mexican cuisine that expands culinary boundaries. The busy Mexican restaurant also attracts diners with an impressive atmosphere that includes live guitar players and a mariachi band every third Thursday of the month. The restaurant accepts reservations, and mariachi fans should book tables at least a week before mariachi night. That’sa Nice’a Pizza promotes a classic Italian, checkered-tablecloth restaurant for diners who enjoy its signature meat lovers pizza.

Jeffco Boulevard embraces a lively nightlife scene, as several venues offer live music. Kenny's Bar & Grill features live music on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as an open mic night for aspiring American Idols on Sunday evenings. Many of the locals make the short trip to South County to enjoy regional acts at larger venues such as Helen Fitzgerald's.

Bike lanes, ample pedestrian sidewalks, and cheap public parking define the transportation features of Arnold. Amazingly, not one social or government venue charges for parking. The bike paths meander through the dense wooded areas that cover most of Jefferson County. Cyclists can pick up their groceries at Schnuck's and travel home on one of the bike paths that connect city neighborhoods. Quiet, bucolic subdivisions provide the perfect setting for residents to take their evening strolls.

Arnold's convenient location right next to Interstate 55 means you need little time to travel from the hub of Jefferson County to downtown St. Louis. Jeffco Boulevard eventually changes into the four-lane Missouri highway 61/67, which traverses Jefferson County, before spitting into another four-lane highway that takes travelers deep into the Ozark National Forest. Arnold residents who need cab transportation typically call County Cab. although Uber St. Louis has grown into a transportation force within the city of St. Louis, the carpool themed transportation service has not yet made major inroads into the Arnold market.

Ferd B. Lang Park specializes in hosting large groups that pay a fee to reserve a pavilion for a day of camaraderie and fun. As home to the city Farmer's Market, Arnold City Park includes an 8-acre fishing lake, a tennis court and a paved 1/2-mile walking trail that weaves through the surrounding natural splendor. Two softball fields host local and regional softball tournaments during the spring and summer. Canine lovers rejoice when they move to Arnold, as the city offers two 1-acre, no-leash dog parks. Dogs weighing 25 pound or less frolic in one area, while larger dogs jostle in the second one-acre dog park.

Revelers eagerly await the annual arrival of Arnold Days Festival, a three-day extravaganza held in Arnold City Park. It features carnival rides, craft food booths, live music, and a children's fishing tournament. Festival attendees drive from as far away as Imperial and De Soto to enjoy the numerous attractions. The Big Bang 5K Run/Walk attracts participants from all over the St. Louis area.

With the cost of living index of Arnold at 90.1, Arnold residents enjoy a much lower cost of living than the average American. Despite its close proximity to St. Louis county and city, Arnold residents enjoy a housing cost of living that ranks near the Missouri state average. The median house in Arnold goes for $154,294, while the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment sits at $770.

Establishments such as Dylan's Sports Bar & Grill charge $2.00 for beer during happy hour and a mere $2.50 the rest of the day.

Although some big box retailers call Arnold home, the city mostly eschews the retail giants to promote a wide selection of boutique stores that line several of the major thoroughfares, such as Richardson Road and Jeffco Boulevard. Located near the main commercial shopping center at the intersection of Jeffco Boulevard and Big Bill Road, Velvet Rabbit Consignment Boutique offers handcraft toys and furniture, as well as hand stitched women's clothing that exudes stylistic design. Arnold's Walk-in Closet operates a unique shopping program that allows customers to exchange clothes as partial payment for clothes sold in the store. Food lovers spend time at the Arnold's Farmer Market to shop for locally grown organic food. The market receives much of its produce from farms just on the other side of the Mississippi River in Illinois. Nearby Jefferson Barracks Bridge allows farmers to transport fresh produce from Illinois farms. The seasonal farmer's market opens for business in early May and runs until the last week of October. Arnold attracts health conscious shoppers from South County to peruse the healthy foods and supplements found at Good 4-U Nutrition store.