Fellows who arrive in St. Louis are surprised by the warm and inviting welcome they receive.  While the program is similar to that offered by the other Coro centers, the cost of living is reasonable, partnerships with key universities are in place, and the Fellows program is supported and highly regarded in the St. Louis region.

“Greater St. Louis offers a unique blend.  The nation's 18th largest metropolitan area, with 2.7 million people in eastern Missouri and southwestern Illinois, it features the big-city assets of a broadly talented work force, great cultural and educational institutions, and superb recreational opportunities.  Yet St. Louis also provides the convenience, intimacy, and affordability of a smaller community.  This extraordinary combination produces an enviable lifestyle and a competitive home for progressive companies.”     

For all that Greater St. Louis has to offer, the cost of living here is considerably low. In fact, the community has the lowest cost of living among the nation’s 20 largest metropolitan areas in the second quarter of 2010, according to the American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association.

Cost of Living - Top 20 Metropolitan Areas
Metro Area	Index
St. Louis, MO-IL	90.0
Dallas, TX	91.9
Houston, TX	91.9
Tampa, FL	92.2
Atlanta, GA	96.0
Detroit, MI	98.2
Phoenix, AZ	99.6
U.S. Metro Average	100.0
Miami, FL	105.2
Minneapolis, MN	110.3
Riverside City, CA	112.3
Chicago, IL	116.8
Baltimore, MD	119.3
Seattle, WA	120.2
Philadelphia, PA	125.0
Boston, MA	131.1
San Diego, CA	131.6
Los Angeles, CA	133.3
Washington, DC	139.7
San Francisco, CA	162.5
New York, NY (Manhattan)	209.7
Source: 2nd Quarter 2010, ACCRA Cost of Living Index.

Forbes Magazine, in 2010 rated St. Louis as the 22nd best place in the country for business and careers.  Any community that can pioneer genetic engineering while also boasting one of the world’s greatest Symphony orchestras and earning the title of “Best Sports City” in America must have something special going for it.

Information from the St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association (RCGA), http://www.stlrcga.org