Massachusetts to MO (Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield: houses, employment, private schools)

[wktully]

Knee deep in research on moving from Massachusetts (by Cape Cod) to Missouri. My husband has two grown daughters who live in Concordia. We have a 2 year old. Our dilemna is finding the right place to live - hubby wants wide open spaces out of town, I like that too but my job type (upper management) will more than likely dictate I live near a larger topwn/city like Columbia or Jefferson City. In addition, we want to send our son to private schools......husband is an electrician so no problem working anywhere for him. So.....where can we live that's wide open spaces between houses (5+acres), yet not too far from a larger town/city for me to work and private schools/kid activities?? We've asked my husbands daughters for help but they don't really leave the boundaries of their own towns regularly enough to be familiar with what we are looking for.

Also, anyone have names for reputable employment recruiters/head hunters/employment agencies for management level positions to cover the Columbia/Warrensburg/Jefferson City area?

We'll be visiting MO next week for a week to visit the kids and check out the areas in and around the above mentioned towns.

Any help is appreciated

[8 SNAKE]

What type of management experience do you have? By the sound of your post, it seems that you're seeking executive-level management positions. I don't think you will find many of those in the area that you are looking at (Jeff City/Columbia). You're going to have to look in St. Louis and Kansas City for most of those jobs.

[wktully]

I wouldn't say I am at the executive management level. I have always worked for smaller companies and enjoy it. My management experience revolves around Operations/Logistics/Accounting. I currently work for a sporting goods wholesaler that distributes nationwide to local shops. Small office, 8 people, $5mill in sales. It's a very hands on position but I am part of a 3 member management team that runs the company. I also don't want to work in KC or STL. I do understand I'll probably have to take a salary cut due to cost of living differences but I'm hoping not too much!

I am also not opposed to public schools but experiences from friends and family have got me leaning towards private schools for my son.

Thanks!

[GraniteStater]

Look at Columbia if you desire more of an urban flavor with greater amounts of cultural activities, events, and diversity. Columbia is a good University town and rural towns can be found within a short drive of the city.

[ShadowCaver]

Just some food for mulling about on your plate...

While StL or KC might not fit the bill for you, there are 'burb areas outside of each that have various industries/companies that might fit your interests too; and then allow yas that desired spot of ground to play and enjoy.

Otherwise, as Plains10 mentioned, Columbia is great; as would also potentially Springfield area too.

If not aware from researching here yet, might also look at Edwardsville, IL area too, if yas were to find suitable employment/etc. in commutable distance from there.

Also, and not stereotyping , but,,, if yas are very fond of NE style food, be aware that this is the midwest [or, ummm,,, errrrr... southern midwest ], and vittles may not be to same style as yas are used to in that neck of the country.

Curious - did ya get much help/info from your earlier post: http://www.city-data.com/forum/misso...burg-area.html

Oh, will yas be commuting back to Mass on frequent basis, by air? If so, might consider that too - if such is a factor to have airport relatively closer.

Good luck

[Sadie85]

I would suggest Columbia or Springfield. It's going to be like going back 20 years in time if you're moving from Mass, but it's a nice change. Good luck.

[firebll31]

You will miss the fresh seafood, but get ready for some great steaks! My sister lives in Gloucester and every time she comes back, she wants Missouri style Cashew chicken and a steak dinner. Helpful hint: don't holler and gesture at other drivers here like they do in Mass, you might get a butt-kicking! Folks take it personal. Welcome to the land of green grass and relaxed living.

[wktully]

Fireball31 wrote: Helpful hint: don't holler and gesture at other drivers here like they do in Mass, you might get a butt-kicking!

Yes, Mass drivers are pretty bad. I'm not originally from Mass so I drive nice! And yep...I surely would miss the seafood...I'm pretty spoiled with the fantastic fresh seafood. My husband is from the midwest (just north of St. Louis) and he comments all the time at how awful the meat here is - he can't wait for our trip so he can get a decent steak!

Shadowcaver wrote: if yas are very fond of NE style food, be aware that this is the midwest [or, ummm,,, errrrr... southern midwest ], and vittles may not be to same style as yas are used to in that neck of the country.

How different can vittles be? Other than no fresh seafood that is

No, I didn't get much of a response from my Warrensburg query a few months ago. And we've widened our home area options so I thought I'd post again. Hubbies kids are in Concordia so we want to be in the "hour or less from zone" from there.

Thanks for all the feedback so far - I appreciate it!

[firebll31]

How different can vittles be? This is the land of red meat, deep-fried and buffet. Gravy comes on everything. SW MO is overrun with Mexican restaurants and chains have virtually wiped out the family restaurant (except Mexican). This is comfort food territory. For really good Italian you will probably have to visit a larger city, or be satisfied with Olive Garden or Johnny Carrinos. Our most common seafood restaurant my sister refers to as "Dead Lobster". That said, good food CAN be found, you just have to get more than 1/4 mile from the Interstate and ask the locals. On the plus side, summer means everyone has a garden and fresh locally grown food is plentiful outside the burbs. And it's not hard to find local butchers and someone with a few chickens (or raise your own) for fresh eggs. One caveat: You will probably notice more people who are, umm, supersized in this part of the country. Our love of the above mentioned foods is not conducive to a healthy diet and the pre-packaged high-fat quick-cook frozen food industry is alive and well. Watch your eating habits closely, Missouri-style Cashew chicken sneaks up on you!

[jrhartwick]

I would look at the Columbia/Jeff City area. Finding a house on small/large acreage is feasible. We aren't too far from Concordia as that is our midway stop to Kansas City when we exchange kids with the grandparents. The Public Schools are great but there are a few different private school options as well.
Good Luck!