Looking to relocate to Columbia area from rural MN (St. Louis: homes, movies)

[twodogfarm]

My husband and I, and our 2 kids, are looking to move to Missouri. The Columbia area really stands out to us. We come from a small town in MN and currently live in the country on a small hobby farm. My husband is an avid fisherman and hunter. MN is great in that respect but we are looking for a change with milder winters but yet still in the midwest, and Missouri has always held a spot in my heart!
Things that are important to us: good catholic church, small town feel, friendly people, places for the hubs to hunt and fish. We homeschool so if anyone can shed some light on homeschooling in this area that would be great.
I am a SAHM and my husband currently works for a tire shop running the service truck for all agricultural equipment and also runs the shop when the manager isn't there. Any ideas for jobs? This is the only job he has had and has been there for years.
If anyone could give us advice or suggestions of small towns, jobs or anything else regarding the above information we would be greatful!!

[Phillipsmind]

We live in St. Louis, but have a family farm between Rolla and Salem. I would look in that area, it is only a few hours from St. Louis, and only a few hours from the middle and western part of the state as well. Nice little towns and wonderful farms. We love it out there.

[21pilots]

I am 26 and single so my time here in Columbia isn't similar to your situation at all - However, I have always thought Columbia would be a terrific place to raise a family. I can't help you out any regarding the homeschooling, but I might be able to shed some light on some other areas.

While Columbia is large (I believe the population is around 90,000 but not totally sure) it has a pretty small town feel to me. I grew up in Hannibal (about 14,000) but had no problem adjusting to Columbia. It is very easy to get around, I can get to most places in about ten minutes - 15 at most - and I live just outside the city limits. Highways 70 and 63 run through the city so it makes it easy to get from one place to another, especially if you don't live right in the city.

There is a ton to do here, especially for families. Stephens Lake Park has a great lake where you can fish and swim, it has a small sandbar, play ground, and a lot of people walk/run there. During the summer they have Art in the Park and one night a month they have "Movies in the Park" where they show a family movie and it's like $1.

Rock Bridge State Park has great hiking/walking trails, creeks, and a cave called Devil's Ice Box that you can explore the entrance of. They also provide guided tours through the cave, which I did in high school and had a blast. I know this summer they had days where a guide would take you in and teach you about the bats that live there, and I'm sure they have other educational things as well.

The Arc is a recreation center on the west side of town and have a lot of kid activities and classes. The library here is really great too and I'm sure they have programs, though I don't know of any for certain.

There is a ton of fishing and hunting here. I have men in my office who take off the entire first week of deer season every year. I'm sure your husband would be very happy with that here. We are near a river too.

As far as a job for your husband goes, he may want to check with the University of Missouri-Columbia. They have an entire agriculture program and I'm sure they have people who work on and maintain equipment. If he can work in a regular car service place, there are plenty of locally owned places, as well as chains such as Jiffy Lube and others.

Columbia is also a 30-45 minute commute from Jefferson City which can open up a job search radius, and we're not too far from Mexico or Moberly - about half an hour each there as well.