moving to columbia missouri (Smithton, Fairview: renting, house, neighborhoods)

[livinggirl]

hi there,
my husband has just been offered a training post at a hospital in columbia and we are moving in by june. Having done a bit of research on schools i found out that schools are generally good but i have narrowed my choices to russel elementary, fairveiw, and rockbridge considering the fact that we are black africans wanting a school that is divers in nature. i will like any useful information on these schools are they divers or not? also any information on middle schools will be appreciated for instance, which is better smithon or gentry?. also information on good areas or neighbourhood that is children and family friendly. i will also appreciate information on childcare facilities as i have a toddler just turned two.
thanks

[StillwaterTownie]

This post will surely get some response in the Missouri forum.

[livinggirl]

hi thanks
i have posted this in the missouri forum as well

[afk211]

We don't have kids in school, but we are a young couple and bought a house about a year ago. We bought in an area that goes to Russell Elementary. I've also heard great things about Fairview and Paxton Keeley. You might also check out Grant Elementary - I've heard it's quite diverse with a lot of professor's kids (the same also seems to be true of Russell). For middle schools - our house sits in Smithton's area - we heard great things about it, especially for the arts. As far as diversity goes, most of Columbia is progressive and appreciates diversity. I would guess that most of the schools (especially in the Old Southwest) would be the same, because a lot of professors live in that area, and professors come from all over the world.

I can't help you out with child care facilities - we're expecting our first in August and are wondering the same thing - websites and numbers only tell you so much - I'd rather get some recommendations from people with kids at the center!

[livinggirl]

thanks afk211. i have made up my mind about the schools now it's either russel or fairveiw but i am lost as to which neighbourhood around either of the school to settle in. we are planning on renting fisrt before buying a property. any idea about neighbourhood, zipcodes or realtor that rents house is desperately needed as we move down in june
thanks all

[mlep]

I am not sure if this will help, but my sister just moved FROM columbia and she misses it greatly. Just be careful of the neighborhoods and see the place you are living in before you move there.

[Inoxkeeper]

Black Africans? Welcome to America and to Missouri! You will have to let us know how that came about. How long have you been in the US?

[Electrophile]

This is my 8th year in Columbia. It is a bit odd as you can have nice quiet streets, a couple dodgy streets, and then back to nice streets, all within a few blocks. I was glad I had the chance to get to know the town before we bought our house.