Is Columbia or Springfield area best for us?

[willmetairie]

My family is looking to move to Missouri due to a job. I have 2 disabled kids with IEP in public schools. My husband and my job is near Columbia area. What area is best to start looking for homes or townhomes 3-4bedrooms (maybe apartments as last resort) to rent? How far away is springfield from Columbia? How are public schools up there? Eventually we would like to buy a house after we get use to the area. Where is best to buy one with kids under age 7. How are recreational activities for kids? What is the sales tax when shopping? Any information would be great.

[MoSouthernMan]

Springfield MO is quite different than Columbia. First the weather. Springfield is quite a bit warmer especially in the winter than Columbia is. Down there in the winter you get a number of days where you can wear a tshirt outside and not be cold.

Also the humidity will be worse in southern MO as well.

Also Springfield will have a southern flair to it as basically it's in Dixie almost especially south of town.

Columbia the winters will be colder than southern Missouri.

Also in Springfield there is more stuff to do outdoors with the Ozarks and lakes nearby.

[Mzurie]

If your husband and his job are in Columbia, then Springfield is far too much of a commute - think about 3 hours.

But if that's not the deciding factor:

Springfield and Columbia both have flagship universities with the usual accompanying benefits that entails.
The city of Columbia more racially diverse than Springfield. FWIW, my anecdotal experience is that people of color feel less comfortable in Springfield than in Columbia.
Columbia feels more compact than Springfield - the latter seems to have more suburban sprawl, and is not very walkable.
Having said the above, there is more than one business district in Springfield; Columbia really just has the one.
Good parks system in both, I believe.
While Springfield near popular recreation spots, Columbia is almost equidistant from KC and STL.
Both have smallish airports.


My personal preference is Columbia.

[Packer123]

I also think you described Springfield perfectly. The climate in Springfield tends to be a little milder than in th northern part of the state. I also like Springfield a little better overall. It seems like everyone in Columbia is so focused on college (MU) sports and you don't even want to go into town on a football game day.

Springfield is so easy to get around in. The city is laid out nicely and once you find your way around, you are good to go.