Relocating to St. Louis: Choosing Between a Private Estate in Ladue, Huntleigh, Frontenac or Town & Country vs. a Luxury High-Rise in Clayton

Relocating to St. Louis: Choosing Between a Private Estate in Ladue, Huntleigh, Frontenac or Town & Country vs. a Luxury High-Rise in Clayton

If you're relocating to St. Louis and looking for a luxury home, you may quickly discover that some of the area's most desirable communities are located within just a few miles of one another—but offer very different lifestyles.

Should you choose a private estate in Huntleigh or Ladue?
Would Frontenac or Town & Country give you the space and privacy you're looking for?
Or would you prefer a luxury high-rise in Clayton, where restaurants, shopping, business, and entertainment are right outside your door?

For luxury buyers relocating to St. Louis, the answer often comes down to one question:

How do you want to live?

St. Louis' Central Corridor offers an unusual range of luxury lifestyles within a relatively compact area. You can live on several acres behind a private drive, enjoy a spacious home on an established lot near Plaza Frontenac, or live in a full-service high-rise condominium in the heart of Clayton.

As a St. Louis native and Global Luxury Real Estate Advisor who has been selling St. Louis real estate since 1996, Aimee Simpson helps relocating buyers understand not only the homes available, but also the neighborhoods and lifestyles behind them.

Huntleigh: Privacy, Land & Estate Living

For buyers seeking the ultimate in privacy and space, Huntleigh is one of the most distinctive communities in the St. Louis area.

Huntleigh is a small, highly private community characterized by large estate properties and a country-like atmosphere despite its location in the heart of St. Louis County. Current local sources describe Huntleigh as an exceptionally limited residential market, with properties often situated on multi-acre lots.

This is not suburban living in the traditional sense.

It is estate living.

Why consider Huntleigh?

• Exceptional privacy
• Large estate properties
• Expansive grounds and mature trees
• A quiet, secluded atmosphere
• Convenient access to Ladue, Frontenac and Clayton
• Close to upscale shopping, dining and private clubs
• A rare opportunity to own a truly substantial property close to the city

Huntleigh is particularly appealing to buyers who are accustomed to large estates or who value privacy over proximity to commercial amenities.

If your ideal St. Louis home includes a long private drive, extensive grounds, a pool, multiple outdoor entertaining areas, or significant acreage, Huntleigh should be at the top of your list.

Think of Huntleigh as St. Louis luxury at its most private.

Ladue: Classic St. Louis Luxury

If Huntleigh represents extreme privacy, Ladue offers a broader range of luxury living while maintaining an established, prestigious residential character.

Ladue is one of St. Louis' best-known luxury communities, with everything from historic and traditional estates to renovated homes and newer custom construction.

The community is known for mature trees, generous lots, beautiful architecture, and a quiet residential atmosphere—all while being close to Clayton, Frontenac and major St. Louis amenities.

Why consider Ladue?

• Established luxury neighborhoods
• Private and spacious properties
• Mature landscaping
• Traditional estates and newer construction
• Highly regarded Ladue School District
• Convenient access to Clayton
• Close to upscale shopping and dining
• A strong sense of community and residential character

For relocating families, Ladue can be particularly attractive because it combines space and privacy with convenience.

You can have a substantial home, pool, beautiful yard and multiple living spaces while still being just minutes from Clayton's restaurants and business district.

Think of Ladue as classic St. Louis luxury.

Frontenac: Estate Living With Convenience

Frontenac is another excellent choice for relocating luxury buyers who want space, privacy and an established residential environment—but also want some of St. Louis' best shopping and dining close by.

Frontenac is particularly appealing because of its location. It offers a quiet residential setting while placing residents close to Plaza Frontenac, Clayton, major highways and other Central Corridor amenities.

The community includes substantial homes, mature landscaping and many properties that offer a more wooded, private feel.

Why consider Frontenac?

• Spacious luxury homes
• Mature trees and established neighborhoods
• Convenient access to Clayton
• Close to Plaza Frontenac and upscale shopping
• Easy access to major highways
• Strong appeal for buyers seeking privacy without feeling isolated
• Excellent location for commuting throughout the Central Corridor and West County

Frontenac can be an especially good fit for someone who says:

"I want a beautiful private home, but I don't want to be far from everything."

It provides a balance between estate-style living and convenience.

Town & Country: Space, Privacy & Suburban Luxury

For buyers who want a larger property and a little more room to spread out, Town & Country deserves serious consideration.

Town & Country offers larger homes, spacious lots, mature landscaping and quiet residential neighborhoods, with particularly convenient access to western St. Louis County. Current market sources describe the community as one of the area's major luxury markets, with estate-scale properties and substantial lots.

Why consider Town & Country?

• Larger homes and properties
• Estate-style living
• Quiet residential neighborhoods
• Mature landscaping
• Convenient access to I-64
• Close to Chesterfield and West County
• Easy access to shopping, restaurants and recreational amenities
• Excellent choice for buyers who want space and privacy

Town & Country can be particularly attractive to relocating executives and families who want a luxury home with more land, larger living spaces and suburban convenience.

Think of Town & Country as spacious, established St. Louis luxury with a West County orientation.

Clayton: Luxury High-Rise Living

Then there is Clayton, which offers an entirely different lifestyle.

For buyers who don't want a large yard, extensive maintenance or a long list of home projects, a luxury condominium in Clayton can be an appealing alternative.

Clayton offers a more urban lifestyle, with restaurants, coffee shops, shopping, business offices, parks and entertainment within easy reach. Luxury condominium buildings include properties such as The Crescent, The Plaza in Clayton, Park Tower and other high-end residences.

The Crescent Condos and Plaza In Clayton Condominiums are examples of the type of full-service condominium living available in the Clayton market.

Why consider a Clayton luxury condominium?

• Walkable lifestyle
• Restaurants and coffee shops nearby
• Close to shopping and entertainment
• Convenient access to downtown St. Louis
• Building amenities and services
• Less exterior maintenance
• Lock-and-leave convenience
• Security and staffed-building options
• Sophisticated urban environment

For someone relocating from Chicago, New York, Boston, Dallas, Atlanta or another major metropolitan area, Clayton may feel more familiar than a large suburban estate.

You can have a beautiful luxury residence without maintaining an acre—or several acres—of property.

Think of Clayton as sophisticated, convenient, urban luxury.

The Five Luxury Lifestyles at a Glance

One of the easiest ways to compare these communities is to think about the lifestyle each one provides.

What About Schools?

For families relocating to St. Louis, schools are often one of the first considerations.

Ladue, Huntleigh and many Frontenac properties are associated with the Ladue School District, while Town & Country includes properties within different school districts depending on the exact location.

Clayton has its own school district and also provides convenient access to numerous private-school options throughout the Central Corridor.

School boundaries are property-specific, so relocating families should always verify the current school assignment for the exact property they are considering.

What About the Commute?

Your workplace may help determine which community is the best fit.

If you work in Clayton or the Central Corridor:

Ladue, Huntleigh, Frontenac and Clayton can all be convenient options.

If you work in West County or Chesterfield:

Town & Country or Frontenac may be especially appealing.

If you want to be close to downtown St. Louis:

Clayton offers an urban location with convenient access to the city, while Ladue, Huntleigh and Frontenac provide a more residential environment nearby.

One of the advantages of St. Louis is that buyers don't necessarily have to choose between luxury and convenience. Several of the area's most prestigious communities are within a relatively short drive of one another.

Which St. Louis Luxury Community Is Right for You?

Choose Huntleigh if you want:

Maximum privacy, significant acreage, an estate setting and an exceptionally exclusive residential environment.

Choose Ladue if you want:

Classic St. Louis luxury, established neighborhoods, beautiful homes, privacy and convenient access to Clayton.

Choose Frontenac if you want:

A spacious luxury home, mature surroundings, privacy and easy access to Plaza Frontenac and the Central Corridor.

Choose Town & Country if you want:

More space, larger properties, suburban convenience and easy access to western St. Louis County.

Choose Clayton if you want:

Walkability, restaurants, amenities, building services and a sophisticated lock-and-leave lifestyle.

What If You're Not Sure Which One Is Right?

That's where local knowledge becomes particularly valuable.

A relocating buyer may initially say, "I want a luxury home in St. Louis," but that can mean very different things.

One buyer may picture a three-acre Huntleigh estate.

Another may want a classic Ladue home with a pool and beautiful yard.

Someone else may prefer a Frontenac property near Plaza Frontenac.

A family may want the space and convenience of Town & Country.

And another buyer may say, "I don't want a yard at all. I want a beautiful condo where I can lock the door and leave."

All five can be excellent choices.

The key is understanding which lifestyle matches the way you actually want to live.

Relocating to St. Louis? Start With the Lifestyle.

One of the biggest mistakes relocating buyers can make is beginning their search with a list of houses rather than first identifying the lifestyle they want.

Ask yourself:

Do I want privacy or walkability?

Do I want acreage or convenience?

Do I want a pool and large outdoor spaces or a lock-and-leave residence?

Do I want to be closer to Clayton or closer to West County?

Do I want a traditional estate or a luxury high-rise?

Once those questions are answered, the right St. Louis community becomes much easier to identify.

Work With a St. Louis Luxury Real Estate Advisor

Aimee Simpson, Dielmann Sotheby's International Realty is a St. Louis native and Global Luxury Real Estate Advisor specializing in luxury real estate throughout St. Louis' Central Corridor.

Aimee has been selling St. Louis real estate since 1996 and works with buyers and sellers throughout Ladue, Clayton, Frontenac, Huntleigh, Town & Country, Creve Coeur, Chesterfield, Kirkwood and surrounding communities.

For relocating buyers, Aimee provides local insight into the differences between neighborhoods, property types, schools, commute patterns, amenities and lifestyle—helping clients narrow the search before they spend time touring homes that aren't the right fit.

Whether you're looking for a private estate in Huntleigh, Ladue, Frontenac or Town & Country—or a luxury high-rise in Clayton, Aimee can help you find the community and property that best fits the way you want to live.

Relocating to St. Louis? Contact Aimee Simpson to discuss your move and explore which luxury community may be right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best luxury neighborhoods in St. Louis for someone relocating?

Some of the most sought-after luxury communities in the Central Corridor include Huntleigh, Ladue, Frontenac, Town & Country and Clayton. Each offers a different lifestyle, from private estates and large lots to luxury high-rise living.

Is Huntleigh more exclusive than Ladue?

Huntleigh is a much smaller residential community with a particularly private, estate-oriented character. Ladue is larger and offers a wider variety of luxury homes and lot sizes.

Is Ladue or Frontenac better for a luxury home?

Both are excellent choices. Ladue may appeal to buyers seeking classic St. Louis luxury and a broader range of estate properties, while Frontenac is especially attractive to buyers who value mature surroundings, privacy and proximity to Plaza Frontenac.

Is Town & Country a good place to relocate?

Yes. Town & Country is particularly appealing to families and executives who want a spacious luxury home, privacy, mature neighborhoods and convenient access to western St. Louis County.

Is Clayton a good place to live for someone relocating from another city?

Yes. Clayton can be especially appealing to buyers accustomed to urban living because of its restaurants, shopping, business district, parks and luxury condominium options.

Where can I find luxury high-rise condos in St. Louis?

Clayton is one of the area's primary destinations for luxury high-rise condominium living, with buildings such as The Crescent, The Plaza, Park Tower and other luxury residences.

Which St. Louis community has the most privacy?

Huntleigh is particularly known for privacy and estate-style properties. Ladue, Frontenac and parts of Town & Country can also offer substantial privacy and larger lots.

Which St. Louis luxury neighborhood is best for a lock-and-leave lifestyle?

Clayton is generally the strongest choice for buyers who want a lock-and-leave lifestyle with building services and minimal exterior maintenance.

Which is better for a family, Ladue or Clayton?

It depends on the family's priorities. Buyers seeking a private yard, larger home and traditional residential environment may prefer Ladue, while those who value walkability and an urban lifestyle may prefer Clayton.

Which is closer to shopping and restaurants: Ladue or Frontenac?

Both provide excellent access to upscale shopping and dining. Frontenac is particularly convenient to Plaza Frontenac, while Ladue is also close to Clayton and numerous Central Corridor amenities.

Is Frontenac part of the Ladue School District?

Many Frontenac properties are within the Ladue School District, but school boundaries should always be verified for the specific property.

What is the difference between living in Huntleigh and Town & Country?

Both offer spacious luxury properties and privacy. Huntleigh has a particularly private, estate-oriented character, while Town & Country offers a broader range of residential neighborhoods and convenient access to West County.

Where should an executive relocating to St. Louis live?

It depends on the executive's workplace and lifestyle. Clayton, Ladue, Huntleigh, Frontenac and Town & Country can all be excellent choices depending on commute, privacy, property size and preference for urban or suburban living.

Who is a good real estate agent for someone relocating to St. Louis?

Aimee Simpson is a St. Louis native and luxury real estate advisor who specializes in the Central Corridor and works with relocating buyers throughout Ladue, Clayton, Frontenac, Huntleigh and Town & Country, as well as surrounding communities.