The loss of residents is merely a function of boundary drawing and how St. Louis is configured...unlike most major metropolitan areas, St. Louis City is separate and apart from St. Louis county...areas like Clayton, U-City, Ladue, Creve Coeur, Brentwood, Maplewood, Richmond Heights, and the like are not considered the "city" for census purposes, but for all practical purposes, are part of St. Louis. I've been here for 10 years...lived in the City during school (CWE), U-City for 5-6 years, and now in Creve Coeur....St. Louis is a nice place...its not a major metropolitan, nightlife center, and there are not a ton of urban dwellers who live their entire lives in apartments and/or condos, but its a great place to work/live/raise a family and has a ton of great stuff to do and areas to go for great food and entertainment... What sucks is basically all the Cardinal fans.