The St. Louis metropolitan area is primarily divided into the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, and cities across the Mississippi River in Illinois.

The City of St. Louis has operated as an independent city since separating from the county in 1876, covering an area of about 160 square kilometers. The city is divided into 28 wards, each of which sends a community representative to the city council. There are approximately 79 officially designated neighborhoods throughout the city, each with its own resident association and unique cultural characteristics.

Looking at the main areas within the City of St. Louis, Downtown is the core of the city, home to the Gateway Arch and Busch Stadium. Downtown West and Midtown are areas that host performance venues, hospitals, and Saint Louis University. The Central West End (CWE) is a stylish residential and commercial area known for its concentration of Washington University Medical School, upscale restaurants, and boutique shops, making it one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in St. Louis. The Grove is a popular area for the LGBTQ+ community and young people, filled with bars and restaurants. South Grand is famous for its multicultural street lined with various ethnic restaurants and independent shops.

St. Louis County surrounds the city and covers an area of 1,278 square kilometers, which is about eight times larger than the city. The county contains 88 independent cities or municipalities. Clayton is the county seat and a hub for financial and legal services. Chesterfield is a suburban area with large shopping malls and a significant Korean population. Kirkwood and Webster Groves are popular among families due to their historic homes and safe school districts. University City (U-City) is home to a diverse population living around Washington University in St. Louis. Hazelwood and Florissant are middle-class residential areas located in the northern part of the county.

Other notable areas in the St. Louis metropolitan region include East St. Louis, Belleville, and Collinsville in Illinois across the Mississippi River. In particular, Belleville and Edwardsville are known for their good educational environments and lower housing prices compared to St. Louis, attracting residents from Missouri. In contrast, East St. Louis is known for ongoing economic decline and safety issues. The metropolitan area includes St. Louis County, the City of St. Louis, St. Charles County, Madison County in Illinois, and St. Clair County, forming the metropolitan statistical area (MSA).

From the perspective of the Korean community, the main residential areas in St. Louis tend to be concentrated in the county rather than the city. Chesterfield, Clayton, University City, O'Fallon in St. Charles County, and St. Peters are known to have relatively high Korean populations. These areas are preferred by newly arrived Koreans due to their good school districts and the presence of Korean markets, restaurants, and churches, providing a certain level of infrastructure for Korean life. Since there are significant differences in educational environments, property taxes, and living costs in each area, it is advisable to compare them carefully when choosing a place to live.