The decision has been made: You’re headed to St. Louis, MO! Congratulations! Now that the location has been determined, it’s time to make a plan. At Arch Interim Corporate Housing, we do the hard work so you don’t have to. We’ll help you find the best neighborhood, the best property, advise on where to eat and shop, tell you what’s included in your fully furnished apartment, and more. From where to when to what, let us help you with this new, important transition.
Relocating to the right St Louis neighborhood
If you’re relocating to St. Louis, there are so many great neighborhoods to choose from. However, while it’s good to read articles and get advice from trusted, local sources, it’s even better to do a trial run in a neighborhood before signing a long-term lease or making a down payment.
However, relocation itself can be stressful, and living out of a suitcase for weeks at a time isn’t good for anyone’s mental health. If you’re relocating for work, you’ll need to feel settled quickly so that your job performance doesn’t suffer and so that you can focus your energy where it will serve you the most.
Arch Interim Corporate Housing is able to bring you the best of both worlds, providing a comfortable place to call home while also giving you opportunities to explore the city and its neighborhoods, all on a short-term basis.
Where to stay if you’re relocating to St Louis
When you head to St. Louis, you might be wondering where exactly you should stay. Corporate housing is a great option for an extended stay beyond 30 days, whereas Airbnb and hotel stays not only increase your cost but also put you at risk for scams or extra frustration.
As in any large city, you’ll be able to find a myriad of housing options, but not all of them are recommended or ideal. Working with a corporate housing provider allows you to learn more about the specific neighborhoods available to you, and they’ll be able to recommend which St. Louis neighborhoods would be a good fit and which ones you might want to steer clear of.
Checklist to prep for move to St Louis
If you’re approaching a planned moving day or you’ve been tasked with a quick relocation, the list of what needs to happen to be fully prepared seems endless. Whether it’s a short-term stay or a long-term relocation, most of the same “rules” apply when preparing for a St. Louis move.
It’s important to take the time to prioritize your needs and have everything written down so you can reassess your progress at any given time. The more organized you are to begin the process, the easier it should be for everyone involved.
Things to consider when moving include:
- Change of address – visit your post office to fill out the form, or do it online.
- Collect moving supplies– you’ll need boxes, labels, markers, packing supplies etc. Note: if you’re using a moving company they may provide most of this for you.
- Organize and pack your items according to the room they will be housed in, or if they’re going to a separate storage facility.
- Contact all of your utilities providers. Most short-term stay or all-inclusive living arrangements will provide all of your essentials, water, electricity, etc. Check in advance.
- Set up dates with your moving company or friends, make all necessary arrangements as soon as possible.
- If moving to temporary or corporate housing, double check to see which items are furnished and which you will need to bring.
- Make arrangements for a sitter or nanny during the time you are moving. Moving can be a stressful situation for everyone, and knowing your children are being taken care of will help ease some of the burden.
- If you are relocating to all-inclusive housing, you may consider storing your furniture for the duration of your stay. Call around to local storage facilities, or take the time to tour them if possible.
What to wear when relocating to St Louis
St Louis weather is typically midwestern, meaning the temperature and feel can change from day to day. It can be difficult to decide which clothes to bring at first, particularly since weather is hard to predict and can change on a dime.
If you’re relocating to St Louis, it’s possible that you have easy access to your entire wardrobe, but if you want to put some stuff in storage while you stay in corporate housing, just be smart about your packing. In order to ensure that you have what you need for this extended stay, plan to bring a versatile wardrobe that can be used in different situations. Layering is always a great idea!
Settling in and making the place feel like your own
If you elect to stay in a corporate, fully furnished apartment, the corporate housing provider will have verified that you have what you need to get settled in quickly. However, after the first week or so, while fully furnished apartments are indeed fully furnished, you might feel a need to make the place feel a little more like your home.
Again, finding out ahead of time what’s provided with corporate housing is recommended, along with double checking your lease contract to know what change can be made to the apartment without incurring extra fees.
Personalizing your furnished apartment
While living in a short-stay or temp living situation can dampen your dreams of designing your own space, you can add some personal touches to make your temporary house feel like home.
Think of antiques
If a high end look is what you are seeking, narrow down your search at a specialty antiques store. Now some people hear the word antique and instantly think “high dollar,” but this isn’t always the case. You can honestly find great buys there, and it could be for a lot less than you think. Adding a personal touch with a classic piece can make your already furnished apartment feel more like home.
Add in some rugs
Rugs can be the glue that holds your space together! Aside from bringing a pop of color to any room, they can also provide for a great design inspiration. Once you have some rugs picked out, you can start arranging your furniture and coordinating your decor around them.
Art with heart
Wall art is a great way to transform temporary housing into a familiar, cozy, space. Whether you find some great prints at a local thrift store, home decor warehouse, or paint your own, hanging artwork on empty walls adds color and flair, along with a touch of your personality. On that note, Don’t be afraid of DIY projects. All inclusive living doesn’t have to mean you quit getting creative! Aside from the fact that DIY projects are a great way to decorate your home while saving money, you get a chance to explore your artistic side and create something new and exciting! Whether it’s an idea or inspired piece, you can’t go wrong with painting an old table or reupholstering that funky chair you found. You can find an empty spot – or perhaps swap out furniture – with what’s already provided with your corporate housing.
Add new hardware
New hardware goes a long way in a new place. It’s one of the easiest fixes to make when trying to personalize your apartment. Also, it’s not hard to return it to its original state when you’re ready to move out. (Don’t forget to do this, however!) Exchanging the knobs on your kitchen cabinets, or the light switch plates in your bedroom or bathroom helps to give a personalized feel for less. Not to mention, with so many options, this simple fix allows you such flexibility you could change with your mood if necessary.
Bottom line, no one wants to feel as though their home isn’t “homey.” With some creativity, you can totally revamp your place in an inexpensive way while getting the look you love.
Plan to have some fun
A move is full of practical considerations, complicated decisions, and lots of work. If you’re relocating to St. Louis with a family, or even if you’re by yourself, it’s important to invest in your health and have fun. There are a variety of museums, parks, special exhibits, dining, and shopping options sure to help you enjoy your new city while you’re here. Do your research and ensure you put “fun” on the calendar once you arrive and settle in.
Spend a day visiting the different museums St. Louis has to offer. For family fun, you absolutely must experience the City Museum. Then, for something a little more serious, plan to get to know the Saint Louis Art Museum. You can spend an afternoon strolling through the spacious gallery and enjoy a picnic on Art Hill.
Hang out at the Saint Louis Zoo. The zoo is fun for all ages, and it’s a great way to enjoy the weather! Stretch your legs with a walk around the expansive exhibits and treat the kids to a ride on the train! Take in a special show at the new sea lion exhibit and visit your favorite animals from across the world.
Explore the Delmar Loop. There’s an abundance of restaurants, art galleries, beauty and clothing boutiques on the Delmar Loop. A St. Louis favorite, the Delmar Loop is home to concert venues and classic dining experiences like Fitz’s Root Beer.
Kick back, relax, and catch a show at the Fox Theater, a cornerstone of St. Louis traditions. You’ll love it!
Get the right kind of help
If you’re relocating to St. Louis, Arch Interim Corporate Housing is a great solution for you. Our fully furnished apartments and concierge customer care will ensure you have everything you need to succeed here. From recommending neighborhoods to advising on where to find the best Italian food, we are St. Louis experts and we’re here to help.