Unlike most U.S. cities, Ballwin, Missouri, is one of a kind; no other city possesses that particular spelling. It was founded by John Ball, who received a military land grant and claimed this area as his own. After the Louisiana purchase, he fought for his land in court (and ultimately won). After a mail route was established right by Ball's land, he decided to create a town from his acreage.
Although it began with only a few buildings and residents, it incorporated in 1950 (with a population of about 750) and has grown into a city of 32,000 residents.
Ballwin occupies about 10 square miles of west St. Louis County. It's located just 40 minutes from St. Louis, which makes the larger metropolis highly convenient to access. Additionally, Ballwin is served by several major highways, including Interstates 270 and 44. The city does not impose property tax on its residents, and the utility prices are much lower than in other parts of the nation.
Sources:
http://www.ballwin.mo.us/For-Visitors/Our-City/History-of-Ballwin/
http://www.ballwin.mo.us/For-Visitors/Our-City/About-the-City-of-Ballwin/
Relocation
Area Vibes gives Ballwin a livability rating of 83 out of 100, which makes the city "Exceptionally Livable." High graduation rates and low crime rates make this city an extremely safe place to raise a family, especially if you are moving out of a much larger city, such as St. Louis. In fact, Ballwin's low crime rate makes it more than 80 percent safer than other U.S. cities.
You don't have to drive to St. Louis to find the amenities and services you need. From supermarkets and restaurants to public transit and open green spaces, you can find everything you need within the Ballwin city limits. There are fitness centers, schools, and entertainment centers to meet all of your needs.
Ballwin's cost of living is considered fairly average both for Missouri and for the rest of the United States. The costs of transportation, goods, and services are considerably lower than the national average, but you'll pay a bit more for health care, groceries, and utilities. The city's unemployment rate of 3.7 percent is much lower than the national average of 6 percent, which makes Ballwin an excellent choice for job seekers. Mild summers make this area extremely livable from May through August.
Source: http://www.areavibes.com/ballwin-mo/livability/
School District Information
Students in Ballwin, Missouri attend schools in the Parkway or Rockwood School Districts. Both have received recognition for students' high degrees of achievement.
Great Schools gives Ballwin schools a combined rating of nine out of 10 based on students' test scores. Some of the highest-rated schools in the city include Claymont Elementary School, West High School, and Henry Elementary School.
Source: http://www.greatschools.org/missouri/ballwin/
School Information Resources
To enroll your child in the Parkway School District:
http://www.edline.net/pages/ParkwayC2/Programs_Depts/Programs__G_/Pupil_Personnel___Education_Eq/Student_Enrollment
For registration information for Rockwood School District:
http://www.rsdmo.org/parent/Pages/StudentRegistration.aspx
City Resources
Moving to a new city can prove intimidating. To find your way around Ballwin, use the following resources:
Local Parks and Green Spaces
Trash Pick-Up Guidelines
Utilities and Services
Important Phone Numbers
Weather Forecast
West St. Louis County Chamber of Commerce
Housing Information
Homes of all types can be found in Ballwin, Missouri, from apartments and condominiums to single-family homes of all sizes[2]. The median home price in this city is approximately $232,660 (up from $155,800 in 2000).
Source: http://www.city-data.com/city/Ballwin-Missouri.html
Use these websites to find recent real estate listings in Ballwin:
http://www.homefinder.com/MO/Ballwin/
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Ballwin_MO
http://www.homes.com/for-sale/ballwin-mo/
Employment Resources
If you want to live in Ballwin, you might need a new job. Search these websites to find out about recent job openings and vacancies:
http://www.indeed.com/l-Ballwin,-MO-jobs.html
http://www.snagajob.com/jobs/missouri/ballwin_jobs.html
http://jobs.monster.com/l-ballwin,-mo.aspx
Ballwin News
Learn about upcoming attractions and current events:
http://www.kmov.com/category/297207/local-news
http://www.stltoday.com/news/
http://www.topix.com/city/ballwin-mo