Just southwest of the City of St. Louis are the welcoming communities of Maplewood and Richmond Heights.  Sharing a school district that dates back to 1840 and once part of the City of St. Louis, these towns are both rich in history and diversity.  Maplewood is home to more than 400 businesses including several national non-profit organization headquarters and many service and professional offices.  The city tends to draw a mix of residents who commute to metropolitan employment centers and those who live and work in the community.  Richmond Heights is especially recognized for its selection of beautiful homes and lovely neighborhoods.  In fact, a group known as the Pride of the Heights boosts civic pride with special events that bring the entire community together, including the ever-popular biannual house tours.  Residents of these cities enjoy a close-knit community spirit and hometown atmosphere.  At the same time they remain in close proximity to major St. Louis attractions including the zoo, the science center, the art museum in Forest Park, and the city's wealth of performing art productions.