Cape Girardeau (Jackson, Lexington, Riverview: apartments, job, medical)

[Tackett2004]

Hi everyone! I'm moving to Cape Girardeau in August and need lots of advice! What is the best apt complex? Where are the best places to eat? Is there a good and bad side of town? Give me any and all info! THANKS!

[myjadie]

I live about an hour and a half away from Cape. I don't know about the apartments or which sides of town are best. But there are several good choices of restaurants to choose from. It's a college town so there are lots of bar & grills around. My favorite place to eat when we visit is Outback Steakhouse which is right off the interstate.
Friends of ours pastor the 1st Pentecostal church in Cape too and of course I would recommend visiting them.
Happy Moving.

[semomom]

I live in Cape and would suggest living in the northern part. Are you going to be attending college here? There are several nice apartments off of Lexington. Let me know and I will get you names/phone #'s.
Yes there is a good side/bad side of town. In the past few weeks there have been several arson fires. Mostly in the same area. Again, I would stay north of campus.
Jackson is a nice town, just to the north of Cape, maybe 5 miles or so, probably a 15 minute commute to campus with traffic.
As far as restaurants, you have all the typical chains, Red, Olive, Apple, Outback, etc. One of our favs is Pagliai's (pronounced polly-i's), it's very close to campus, GREAT pizza!! There are several places downtown to eat also, okay food.
Shopping - of course you have Hell-Mart, Target, Kohl's, Sears. Also a nice mall with Macy's, Pennys & several stores inside.

Hope this helps.

[Tackett2004]

Thanks for all the help everyone! Yes, I will be attending grad school at SEMO.

Also, how is the job market there? Are there good opportunities for those with a degree?

[semomom]

I'm really not sure about job opportunities. I would almost have to say not good. Cape is a large medical community, so if that's your field then your in luck, but if not, I would look else where. My husband lost his job here and we are moving to east-central Illinois when school gets out.

[Tackett2004]

So I visited Cape this weekend and completely agree with you that the northern part of town is very nice. I am really excited to move to a new town and experience something new.

The only thing that disappoints me is the apartment situation. Any phone numbers and names you can provide would be greatly appreciated. I thought those apts off of Lexington looked the best of what I drove by. I must be spoiled down in Conway, AR with GREAT apartments. I was so surprised at how old the Cape ones are and how run down they appear. I toured several and just couldn't imagine living in any of them. Is it possible that I just missed the right streets?! I'm also so shocked at how expensive these old places are. I live in a brand new complex in AR and split the cost of just over $600 a month for a spacious two bedroom with my roommate. I also get free golf, tanning, and a HUGE gym included in my rent. Plus, it comes with a washer and dryer, not just hook-ups. I'm just really surprised.

Does anyone know of any nice houses that are for rent? I think that might end up being my best option.

I appreciate all of your help!

P.S. I stopped by Relay For Life while I was in town and was glad to see so many people involved. I'm a huge supporter of the event and enjoy contributing whenever I can. Way to go!

[semomom]

Rent is going to be very high... typical of a university town. They take advantage of the college students.
I checked todays paper, for houses for rent, you are looking anywhere from $850-950/month in the nice part of town.

Here are some apartments to call on:
Rhodes Properties 573-339-1300
Cape LaCroix 573-335-5535
Riverview Apts (these are downtown, sound nice) 573-275-2244

I've seen a few houses for rent, but they are not listed in the paper. I will drive by and get a phone number for you, also some apartments that I know of.

I will get back with you.

[storey13]

I lived in Cape Girardeau from 1996 to 2001 and lived in several different places while there. If you want a place near campus, semomom is right about the prices being higher, especially closer to campus. I lived near campus every year and my favorite places were single family homes near campus. They had and old charm to them and were a lot more spacious. My favorite was either 631 North St. or 613 North St., I can't remember which one it was. It was on the corner of Sprigg and North.

If I was going to go back and go to school there, I would be looking for a single family house or a duplex in Jackson, as long as you don't mind the short commute. If you decide to live in Cape, stay on the North side of Williams St. as you get closer to the River.

Speaking of arson, I was looking at the SE Missourian paper online and noticed that the house I rented for one year on N. Frederick St. caught fire recently. Not sure if this was arson but it reminded me of living in Cape during my college years.