Mexico, MO (Columbia, California, Vandalia: low crime, home, job market)

[Suncoast]

Hi

Does anyone know anything about Mexico MO. I now live in Californias high desert.

Thanks in advance

[razzy]

I grew up there. Its not too bad of a place, close to Columbia (35 miles) and not too far from St Louis and its sprawling suburbs. The job market there has taken a serious downtown because the former "firebrick capital of the world" no longer has any brick plants. For a long time, it had two large brick plants, Kaiser (then became National) Refractories, and AP Greens Refractories. Both closed during the 90's. At one time, the brick plants employed over 2,000 people combined, in a city of 12,000 people, and just about all of the jobs paid well ($15+ an hour in todays economy, and Mexico is a dirt-cheap place to live). So when you take away those jobs, and replace them with jobs paying $10 an hour, your town is going to take an economic hit. That sums up the recent economy in Mexico.

Also, Columbia being nearby is generally a good thing, but its bad from the retail standpoint. The proximity of Columbia and its rapid growth over the years has slowly sucked retail business out of Mexico, as more people go to Columbia to shop and less come to Mexico. The downtown square, for example, used to be a thriving place, with some fairly upscale stores, many independently owned, but most of those are gone, replaced by lower quality businesses. Super Walmart is now here, and that hasnt helped downtown either. Things arent too good on the restaurant front either, as there is no longer much to choose from, especially for a town its size.

But all that said, Mexico is generally a clean, safe, well-kept up town, with some quality housing available and its not at all expensive here. And the people who live there generally care about the city and want to see it do well, particularly the city leadership, which has done a good job of diversifying the economy beyond the brick plants and farming.

What is it that piques your interest about Mexico?

[ternel]

There are no jobs, no education, crime is rising and the cops are scared. Several companies have shut down or are doing severe lay offs. Morale in this town is going downhill.

[ShadowCaver]

Originally Posted by ternel

There are no jobs, no education, crime is rising and the cops are scared. Several companies have shut down or are doing severe lay offs. Morale in this town is going downhill.

Interesting that you post such a pleasant tale in a thread that is a week over a year old... Not saying your points aren't valid, but can you put forth some facts to back up these claims? Yes, Mexico is indeed hurting - one of best friends & his family lives there - the clay/brick industry for one drastically hurt, but there are opportunities, scarce but there. Nice area, and hope that someone w/ vision and concrete plans can help here, and other small towns across the land.

[carolmora]

I know nothing of MO yet. Just researching it but I came across these stats on a website. I don't think I can post the site because of competition but here is what it said.

Crime

Mexico, MO, violent crime, on a scale from 1 (low crime) to 10, is 2. Violent crime is composed of four offenses: murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The US average is 3.
Mexico, MO, property crime, on a scale from 1 (low) to 10, is 3. Property crime includes the offenses of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. The object of the theft-type offenses is the taking of money or property, but there is no force or threat of force against the victims. The US average is 3.

[KC lover]

I grew up in Mexico and visit my elderly mother there monthly. Yes, like almost all small towns without the benefit of being a suburb, Mexico has taken its lumps in the past twenty years. But having said that, the people are resilient, proud of their community and have a vision that they can compete with any other town--even big cities--for new industries. They are now the bio-fuel capitol of Missouri, still have a strong agricultural base, very nice veterans nursing home, home to the Miss Missouri Pageant which gives terrific pr, and pretty good schools. Add to that they have a very active arts community in a beautiful facility called Pressor Hall. The downtown was redeveloped before most towns ever thought of doing that and it has created a Mayberryesque quality to the town. So overall, I still love my hometown and enjoy going there when I can. I hope to post some pics here in the future.

[adysmom]

Originally Posted by Suncoast

Hi

Does anyone know anything about Mexico MO. I now live in Californias high desert.

Thanks in advance

What part of the high desert are you in? we were in the Palmdale area. And so glad too be out of the place. PM if you like.

[KrazeeKrewe]

Anyone know if they have Brick Skidding Contests in Vandalia or Mexico, MO?