Absolutely. St. Louis city housing is a great start for many people.
Know several who started honing their gardening skills in south city.
Then as they continue to pay down a mortgage and start their family, they have to decide. Stay in the city where they are outgrowing the house, move to the suburbs where they can’t afford to live, or move 30 minutes out to something they can afford and space for the bigger garden with room to grow.