Where are the best Catholic cities?

[Rach620]

St. Louis, MO is a great city to be Catholic!

I mean, c’mon, JP II visited us (because of our former archbishop, now Cardinal Rigali) AND we have Archbishop Burke, a good and faithful orthodox leader.

We have the most Catholic high schools that I’ve ever heard of in one city, especially of our size-- at least 20, probably more than 25, in the city and vicinity. Some are, of course, better than others, but there are both single-sex and co-ed of all sizes and levels of academic rigor. The Legionaries of Christ opened a school around the year 2000, which is really just beginning to flourish.

I’d say most people in the suburbs go to/went to Catholic high school–the typical question among St. Louis adults is “Where did you go to high school?”, before even “What do you do for a living?” or asking about family. It’s kind of strange, but we like it

St. Louis itself is a big small town, it just has that feeling to it. It’s a midwestern thing–friendly people, good communities, good climate. AND we’re the best baseball fans in America (go Cards!)

I’d encourage you to look into St. Louis. Missouri can put people off, but St. Louis is really quite different from the rest of the state (as is Kansas City), more midwestern than southern if that makes sense. My family actually is not native to St. Louis, we moved when I was in grade school and just really love it. When my dad was forced to take a job in Texas, it was quite the culture shock–and we came back as fast as we could!

 

[exiled]

Well, I can tell you, as a native of Maine, that you do not want to live there if orthodoxy is a priority for you.
There are a very small number of faithful Catholics (I’m related to, or old, old friends with most of them) and the rest of the state is quite liberal, with active and blatant homosexuality and feminist ideologies.
Sadly, I’ve not run across one priest who is actively teaching the faith.
Nearby, though, is Center Harbor, NH, which has the Immaculate Conception Apostolic School, run by the Legionnaries of Christ. I’ve not idea about the rest of that area of NH, but that community holds a lot of weight.

 

[jc-servant]

Come to Dallas if you only want to see snow once per year or less. We get the annual 3 day ice event which is pretty much our “winter.” It is patio weather already and our wildflowers are in full bloom by March! Tons of great Catholic folks all over the metro. We hosted the global living rosary that was broadcast on EWTN a while back. We have some great homegrown Catholic musicians and a Catholic university. I’ve also heard great things about San Antonio for Catholics.

Housing prices have gone up in the past 20 years due in part to the influx of folks from other places who didn’t know any better than to pay too much for a house, but a single person can still swing a nice house in a good area (not a fixer upper either). Just factor in good insulation and a scary A/C bill if you don’t insulate properly when you make your budget! I won’t lie about July and August being hot. We just go from A/C inside to the A/C in the car and vice versa.

Having lived in Missouri for a number of years during and after law school. . .well I would have to give Texas the edge in weather, cost of living and general friendliness of the natives. I’m not a native Texan either. Strangers really do strike up conversations here at random and will help you with no hidden agenda. Men hold doors and offer to help women with packages so much that when it does not happen it is shocking.

My observation was that St. Louis and Kansas City both wanted to disassociate themselves from the remainder of the state which is definitely more rural in character. St. Louis seemed like it wanted to be cosmopolitan like Chicago or NYC with a bit of snobbiness by the natives regarding which area a person was from (hence the question about where a person went to high school). People seemed more friendly to me and a little less class conscious in Kansas City. Missouri has beautiful natural areas and the weather will seem mild compared to ND. Of course, this is just the opinion of an outsider who lived among the folks for about six years and went all over the state for work.

 

[Tink]

Cincinnati, Ohio, was a wonderful place to grow up Catholic. Where I grew up-- the West side-- when you met someone new, it’s never “What do you do for a living?” it’s “What parish do you go to?” Loved it. Low cost of living, small-town feel with all the big-city amenities you can imagine. TONS of single-sex as well as mixed high schools and church festivals every single weekend in the summer, not to mention world class Catholic hospitals (Good Sam, Bethesda, and more.) It’s very much a part of the culture. I hope to move back “home” someday!

 

[bluebabi212]

Lincoln is a great place to start. Here we have 9 elementary schools. The one I went to has daily mass for the whole school. I am a Freshman at the Catholic high school, Pius X. Pius just recieved an award this year, it was in the top 50 Catholic Secondary Schools in America. We are celebrating 50 years of the school. The bishop, Bishop Bruskewitz is very nice. I like living here in lincoln under his rule as bishop. The Catholic hospital is St. Elizabeth’s. The South side is a nice place to live, but cost of housing can be expensive. Another nice spot is the Northwest side of town. The Northwest side of town has many kids and a friendly neighborhood. The northeast side of town is affordable. it’s where i live. It is a great neighborhood and community.

 

[omegabane]

Hi! I need advice on what you all perceive as the best Catholic cities in the U.S. I will be graduating in May with a degree in nursing, and I have no idea where I want to go…I just know I want to try some place new Here are some criteria I am looking for–please include whatever you can in your reply: Is there a good Catholic hospital? Good Catholic schools (elementary)? Churches? Community? Also, other things such as cost of living, cost of daycare, which area is the best place to live within the city, etc. I would specifically like to know about St. Louis, Lincoln, or anywhere in Maine if there is anyone from these areas that can help…or is there a better place? Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut…I plan on picking a place in the next couple months.

It’s been drawing on three years now since this was posted. I’d be interested to know - did you make a decision? Was the (name removed by moderator)ut on this forum useful?

I am currently looking at different options around the country, as well, though I don’t have any particular time frame in mind. I currently live in San Francisco, CA, which I have to say is a very difficult place to be a faithful, orthodox Catholic.

 

[kib]

I lived in Lafayette, Louisiana for three months. I think EVERYONE in that state is Catholic.

I currently live in West/ Central Pa (Altoona- Johnstown Diocese). There is a sizable Catholic population, but this is an incredibly depressing place to live sometimes. It is a very economically depressed area and the weather is very drab in the fall, winter, and spring. However, careers in nursing are easy to find.

 

[KostyaJMJ]

The best place in the US to be Catholic is in Cajun Country which is basically Louisiana south of I-10.

 

[Sparki777]

I live in Lincoln, Nebraska, and I do think it’s a pretty great place to be a Catholic. Here are the advantages:

Most excellent bishop. He turns 75 next year, which means he has to put in his letter of retirement, but he used to work for the Holy Father at the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, so if he’s still spry enough to stay on the job, I’m sure the Holy Father will pocket the letter for a while. On the other hand, the travel of this very large (geographically) diocese wears on him, so I’m sure it won’t be too much longer before he retires. We trust that we’ll get another good bishop to follow.

Most excellent priests! We have more seminarians per capita than most if not all U.S. dioceses, and our priests are very hard-working, devout and accessible. Of course, there are always a few that are having a hard time (burn out or whatever), but they are the exception, and the bishop keeps a watchful eye to prevent such situations.

Good, affordable Catholic schools. Our parish is one of the cheaper ones, and we pay $400 for the first child, $200 for the second, $100 for the third PER YEAR. Fourth and up are free. That’s $70 a month, easy to swing, and the schools rate high academically and do a good job teaching the faith. Daily mass, regular opportunity for confession, and also opportunities to serve at altar (boys only), sing in the school choir, be a reader or commentator, etc. Uniforms! Another school I know of is $150 a year for each kid in the family. A third is $1000 a year for each kid in the family. It depends what part of town you live in. I like the downtown parish we belong to because it’s multi-ethnic, which is important to me, and also because it’s close to my job & my husband’s. It’s not perfect, but it’ll do.

Great Catholic radio station (KVSS…check them out on line) and a good Catholic weekly newspaper, though I am partial because I do some work for it.

Great Catholic hospital – Saint Elizabeth’s. All three of my kids were born there, and it’s tops for OB, NICU, orthopedics, burn unit and a few other things. Scores very well on reviews; recently named a top 50 hospital in the US by US News & World Report.

EXCEPTIONAL Catholic Rehab hospital – Madonna. The story of this place is amazing, as a religious sister took it from an old folks home into one of the premier rehab institutions for stroke & brain injury recovery. If that’s your specialty, you couldn’t do better than Madonna.

Cost of living – taxes are high, but food/gas/etc. is pretty average for the Midwest. Housing isn’t awful, but it depends on what you are looking for. A few years ago, we bought a 2100 sq. ft brick 1920s craftsman on a decent lot for $150k. In the “newer” parts of town, you could spend $200k for a bigger ranch with a walk-out, newer construction. I compare that to the $750k my sister spent on a 2,000 newer walk-out ranch in Virginia and think I got a super deal. Taxes are high here for two reasons: everything is all spread out, with fewer people paying for the same miles of roads or water pipes or whatever, and some mismanagement from our local government. Which, frankly, leaves a lot to be desired. We have a decent mayor now after a series of bufoons, but there is a lot of undoing and redoing to be done.

Daycare - you can spend a lot or a little and get good care or bad in either place. That’s just something you have to scout out and get recommendations for. My kids stayed with their godmother, so we never did a regular daycare center.

Hmmm…can’t remember the rest of your questions. I hope I got them all.

 

[novaslasher]

The greater Washington DC area has a strong Catholic community with deep roots.

The diocese of Arlington in northern Virginia is very orthodox and strong. If you are a young adult, the diocese has a very strong YA community that includes theology on tap, many orthodox bible studies, rosary dinners, prayer at abortion facilities, and community service. There’s a good number of Eucharistic chapels too that always seem to have adorers present (although I think the bishop restricts the Eucharistic chapels to one per deanery). A lot of missionary orders have houses of prayer in nearby Washington DC too.

Masses here are very reverent. Off-duty priests actually come to each mass to distribute communion since they recognize they are the ordinary ministers of communion. I helped teach CCD here, and the program for the kids dealt in the fundamentals.

Also who could forget some of the amazing churches around here like the shrine of the Immaculate Conception in DC (the largest Catholic church in the Western hemisphere) and the gorgeous Cathedral of St. Matthew. The Franciscan shrine in DC has a church modeled after the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem (the holiest of all churches in the world). The shrine of St. Anne Seton is a short day trip away in Maryland.

I also like how the Tridentine mass has become much more prevalent in the Arlington diocese. It’s a half hour drive from my location.

The only negatives I have are the sky high cost of housing, the unbelievable traffic and the leftist secular politics in the region (although some might prefer that).

 

[BadTurkey]

I’m glad no one has mentioned Boston. Lots of nominal Catholics for sure, but it’s ultra-liberal here. Definitely somewhere to avoid. Western Massachusetts is better, though.

 

[kib]

I’m glad no one has mentioned Boston. Lots of nominal Catholics for sure, but it’s ultra-liberal here. Definitely somewhere to avoid. Western Massachusetts is better, though.

I would move there if I found a job opportunity JUST so I could take classes at Boston College with Peter Kreeft!

 

[BadTurkey]

I would move there if I found a job opportunity JUST so I could take classes at Boston College with Peter Kreeft!

Well, I’m sure Mr. Kreeft is a great professor, but I don’t know if it’s indicative of the larger student body at Boston College. BC undergrad is known for catering to priviledged rich kids whose daddies are paying for their “education.” If you were to get on the B Line (subway that serves the Boston College area) on a Friday/Saturday evening, you might change your mind. Based on what I’ve seen, Boston College is only Catholic in name.

 

[acadian]

The best place in the US to be Catholic is in Cajun Country which is basically Louisiana south of I-10.

Yes! (I’m a mile north of I-10). There are probably a dozen Catholic churches within 15 minutes of my house. The Catholic population is definitely a majority, and chances are that those who are not Catholic either were once Catholic or moved here from elsewhere.

The cost of living is lower than many places. Taxes are not too bad. There are many Catholic schools. A Catholic hospital.

The Catholic influence is also evident in public schools. Don’t expect to find meat in ANY school cafeteria (public or private) during Lent. WE still have EASTER holidays and CHRISTMAS holidays - none of this “spring break” and “winter break” stuff. One of our public elementary schools is Katharine Drexel.

 

[kib]

Well, I’m sure Mr. Kreeft is a great professor, but I don’t know if it’s indicative of the larger student body at Boston College. BC undergrad is known for catering to priviledged rich kids whose daddies are paying for their “education.” If you were to get on the B Line (subway that serves the Boston College area) on a Friday/Saturday evening, you might change your mind. Based on what I’ve seen, Boston College is only Catholic in name.

Peter Kreeft has said the same sort of thing in some of his talks. What a shame. Although he does maintain that a student can still get a good, Catholic education at BC- as long as they stay clear of the wolves.

 

[ImmacolataDad]

St. Louis is a wonderful city to raise a Catholic family. It is a very Catholic city with a very large Catholic school system and if not a majority of the population, a very significant percentage. There are over 30 Catholic high schools that are absolutely world class. They are amazing examples of teaching both academics and faith. My daughter just started kindergarten in our parish school and it is one of the very best decisions of my life.

St. Louis has a huge Catholic hospital system with over 8 large Catholic hopsitals. There is a Jesuit university, St. Louis University and Fontbonne University which is run by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

The best thing about St. Louis is that the communities are centered around each parish. I recently moved into another parish (Immacolata) and the people could not be more welcoming and inviting. The school is the sweetest and most nurturing environment that I could ever envision. The entire parish is a living community that hangs out and has fun together with the other families.

St. Louis is a very nice city but the weather is horrible, I must warn you. It is brutally hot and humid in the summer and just cold enough to be miserable in the winter but not cold enough to do the fun things such as skiing, sledding and skating in real winter locations. I am from Minnesota so I kind of like that stuff.

If you are looking for a major city with a smaller town feel and a wonderful Catholic environment, I highly recommend St. Louis.

J

 

[StFrancisXavier]

Hi! I need advice on what you all perceive as the best Catholic cities in the U.S. I will be graduating in May with a degree in nursing, and I have no idea where I want to go…I just know I want to try some place new Here are some criteria I am looking for–please include whatever you can in your reply: Is there a good Catholic hospital? Good Catholic schools (elementary)? Churches? Community? Also, other things such as cost of living, cost of daycare, which area is the best place to live within the city, etc. I would specifically like to know about St. Louis, Lincoln, or anywhere in Maine if there is anyone from these areas that can help…or is there a better place? Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut…I plan on picking a place in the next couple months.

Being a nurse you can find a job anywhere.

 

[Dale_M]

I don’t mean to be Debbie Downer, but this thread is four years old and the person who started it hasn’t visited CAF in nearly two years.

The topic has universal, and perennial, appeal so there is no reason not to discuss the topic. But I wanted to point out that the original poster has moved on.

 

[BlueSprite]

Haha- I wonder where the OP ended up moving? It is an interesting topic. I live in Boston now, and I agree with the above posters that although Boston is known to be a “Catholic” town…I don’t see much representation in the churches.

That being said, I went to college in Nebraska and not only is that a great, affordable state to raise a family in - but my schooling was great! And just recently I was out there visiting Omaha and it being a Sunday, went to Church with my Dad. We were SHOCKED at how packed it was! LOL! I’m from New Jersey originally, so when I go down to NJ to visit my Dad (he still lives there) and we go to church it’s similar to here in Boston…pretty empty. But wow, Omaha! And Lincoln is a great city too!

 

[viperdoc]

I’d like to add to the questions:

My wife, 2 children, and I will be looking for a new place to live in the next 3 years. I expect to finish up my contract with my current employer in summer of 2014, and we’d like to find a great Catholic city/town in which to raise our family. My daugther is 2 1/2 and my wife is currently pregnant with our second. I’m a physician, and I feel called to the diaconate, so eventually, we’d like to find a good, strong, supportive parish that would benefit from having a permanent deacon. We’d prefer somewhere that has snow, since we like winter sports, and we don’t care much for really warm weather. We’d also like to use my medical practice as a tool for evangelization. Anyone have any suggestions that might fit the bill? Thanks.