Need info on Saint Charles, MO (St. Louis, Columbia: real estate, foreclosure, broker)

[massdane]

My hubby and I are looking for possible retirement locations. We currently live in Fayetteville, AR, and are getting tired of the radical and fast growth of this area. We're both looking for something more laid back. I used to live in Eugene, OR, and if I had my way, would be back in OR. However, real estate has gone through the roof there, in most places.

We're both very liberal. We're also both very young at heart. We are looking for a rather small town (60,000 or less), but with a decent library, decent gym, good coffee shop, diversity of restaurants, bike paths, and near and/or on a river. We also both enjoy motorcycling.

I once spent a weekend in Saint Charles, MO and remember it as a lovely little river town. More info would be appreciated!

[ajf131]

Well, you can essentially buy a big new house for less than $200,000 I believe...St. Charles is experiencing the boom of the St. Louis suburbs...rapidly gaining population and booming. St. Charles IMO has potential and would be tolerable as a living place. Nearby places to live would be near areas like Weldon Spring, St. Peters, and Wentzville.

[ShadowCaver]

IMHO, I would steer you away from St Chuck, but only because of what you listed as the negs of what you are experiencing in Arkansas... St Charles and that vicinity is growing. It is indeed an excellent area, w/ all that you are after, but to me, is more pavement than green. I've some good friends in that area, and over the years watching it develop,,, wow. However, maybe what yas could do is to start at St Charles, and then take your time, going up the Missouri River, looking at the various communities along there. Another option, look at Alton, IL - quite scenic there too.



ps: and not at all to steer you away from MO [ ] but maybe might also look at Evansville, IN and Louisville, KY areas - both are relatively smaller communities, w/ much of that you which you seeking too. Just, please, don't tell anyone in the MO section that I have mentioned such, ok?

[Northwoods Voyager]

Originally Posted by massdane

My hubby and I are looking for possible retirement locations. We currently live in Fayetteville, AR, and are getting tired of the radical and fast growth of this area. We're both looking for something more laid back. I used to live in Eugene, OR, and if I had my way, would be back in OR. However, real estate has gone through the roof there, in most places.

We're both very liberal. We're also both very young at heart. We are looking for a rather small town (60,000 or less), but with a decent library, decent gym, good coffee shop, diversity of restaurants, bike paths, and near and/or on a river. We also both enjoy motorcycling.

I once spent a weekend in Saint Charles, MO and remember it as a lovely little river town. More info would be appreciated!

Well now, St. Charles is no longer that 'lovely little river town' that you so fondly remember It has become a rather large city in many ways. Oh sure, you will find the remnants of the older section and that is the best part of St. Charles to me.. However, we heard last week from our Broker at my office that, unfortunately, St. Charles is now experiencing a negative side to home ownership. 1 out of 26 homes are now reported to be in foreclosure. If you are interested in looking into purchasing a house might try that route.

If you still are interested in Missouri, take a look at Columbia, Missouri. It could offer you most of what you are seeking and it being a 'college town', you could connect with the 'young at heart' crowd.

Missouri River just 25-30 miles away at Jefferson City (state capital).

Good luck in your quest

[ShadowCaver]

Good point there Voyager and come to think of it, Rocheport is ~15-20 minutes away from Columbia, and could be a good fit too.

[massdane]

Thanks everyone for your comments. Seems like all the really wonderful places have been discovered...sigh...and are experiencing that rapid growth. When I moved to Fayetteville in 1992, it was such a sweet town...now greed has taken over and it's also more pavement than green. So, I appreciate the info and will take some other suggestions that were offered and go from there!

[kmodek]

Check into Hannibal, mo. It's got all the things you're looking for. I've been in St. Charles county for 20 years and it's nothing like a small town at all!

[Okiegirlfriend]

You may like Neosho, MO. My brother lives there and really likes it.