Waynesville or Rolla (St. Louis, Springfield, Columbia: rent, house, to buy)

[jackhitts]

Hey guys,

I might be getting a job in Waynesville. I've been here and gone to the interview, so I'm not sure if I'll get the job, but I was looking around town and I'm not quite sure if this is the sort of place I'd necessarily want to live. I mean, I went to college in a small town (around 8,000 in Michigan and it seems a bit similar except there's no college to sort of give it a jolt of culture (if that makes sense). I'm single and everything, so I'm not exactly worried about the schools, I just wonder if I'll enjoy living here. As I was thinking about it, though, I realized that Rolla doesn't seem so far away. I've been there, and it seems moderately "hip" (at least as cool as my college town, which is to say not much, but it's better than nothing). Would this be a doable commute? Or would I want to live in right in Waynesville and save myself the hassle?

Thanks.

[ShadowCaver]

First, congrats on the potential job, and a pre-welcome to the area. As to the commute, yes, its doable, along a quite scenic stretch of I-44 - but that scenery can be diminished by the hassle of playing leap frog w/ the trucks and other vehicles on the hills and curves of this section. Some parts are quite curvy for an interstate, and the hills herein are fairly steep too - relative to the rest of the path for this interstate across the state. But, depending on the person, it can be enjoyable.

Now, as to Rolla - being it is a fairly small town, and given its a college AND farming town w/ small manufacturing base, I wouldn't say too much about its night-life, esp. when school is not in session. There was a time, up to I'd say ~3 years ago, that pubs and such were happening places... but from what I've seen in the recent past, even this past month when bopping about a little to check out some of my old haunts, the nightlife is scarily lacking. Could be just my timing, but was quite surprising to see maybe only a dozen people in the 4 different places I went into... of course, there were other sites that didn't go to, and those could be where everyone was at, but still...

With the price of gas [altho low at the moment, it will go back up] and wear/tear on vehicle, might consider that too - 60 miles a day does add up over time, plus how valuable your time is. I say that as one fool that drives 40 minutes one way back/forth to work. Anyhow, good luck. Oh, btw, I say the following as not a slam against Rolla, but thinking of 'culture' there is well, kinda funny, as its not like a Columbia or even Sprinfield in that regards. Sure there are some concerts, plays, etc., but you gotta recall that this is primarily an engineering/science/technical university, which really in a stereotypical manner don't do much in the line of culture...

So, with that all said, I'd recommend bumming about some more in Rolla before committing to living there - heck, maybe rent something, to try it out first? It is a nice town, I enjoy visiting there still, and my past times working and going to school there. But just wanted to temper your expectations, at least from my perspective, as to potential culture - at least what I think of such when recalling times in bigger and/or more liberal arts type college areas.

[jackhitts]

I mean, I'm not even necessarily thinking that it will be like living in Colombia or whatnot, but as I looked around Waynesville/St. Robert most of the people I saw either seemed much older than me (I'm a recent college grad) or seemed like they were military folk. Not that there's anything wrong with either of those things, I'm just concerned about fitting in here. I'm not a huge "night-life" kind of guy to begin with, and it seems like a lot of the bars and things in this area cater to the Ft. Wood people. Plus half of those bars are strip club type places.

But really, I was mostly just thinking about libraries and book/ record stores and movie theatres and coffee shops and that sort of thing in Rolla. That's the sort of thing I do with my "night-life" (Honestly, I'm so lame that I consider it an exciting Friday night when I go to the record store and find some obscure vinyl and then go to the coffee shop and smoke a lot of cigarettes while shooting the **** with people, and then maybe grab a beer somewhere...). I haven't seen potential spots for that sort of thing over here in Pulaski County. And I'm not one of those type of people that complains about "having no Starbucks" - I kind of hate it, so I was just thinking that maybe there would possibly be at least one cool stretch of downtown (is there a good one) Rolla that might have some cool things.

I guess it's not the end of the world, since it's not that far to get to Springfield or St. Louis from Pulaski Co. and I might just have to deal with only going book shopping on weekends. I just thought I'd ask.

[ShadowCaver]

lol, no problem... but not trying to sound so harsh, but seriously I'd loved to have that kind of happenings when I was there. Sadly tho', IMHO, Rolla is sadly not that kind of place either - from the years I've spent there, people who've conversed about this topic, one can argue that Rolla is not interested in development or growing [not that I am a fan of such, in an unbridled/controlled manner, just saying...], and is content of being what it has been, and is - and I'd wager a beer about ya finding happiness in attempt of chilling at the library, book/record store, coffee shop, and/or theater, as such doesn't exist to that extent. Yes, there are such places, but from what I recall/seen, not at least what I think you are desiring... I could be wrong tho' that's why would behoove ya to check it out for yourself too. Downtown Rolla to me was always a sad/frustrating spot - durn area for the most part shuts off lights and closes doors at ~5pm... leaving a couple restaurants and pubs as remaining open places. Of course, one of those restaurants serves the bestest pizza - Alex's... And that is a definitely worthy reason to live in Rolla . Hmmmm,,, maybe you could open a place that would cater to such - serve coffee, have some happening music [blues - jazz - rock - etc.], small place to show some indie flicks... hmmmmm... I'd buy a beer from ya.

[OA 5599]

With the exception of a few places to get sushi (a rarity in rural Missouri), Rolla has basically no cool places. One coffee house / book store opened up a few years ago that would fit you needs (the Giddy Goat), but I believe it moved to a much smaller location within a year, and I'm not even sure its still there. There was a nice upscale store to buy nice foods, wine, and beers (Chef's Pantry), but I have heard that it has also closed. As ShadowCaver said, Rolla is a pretty dull town. I spent 2003 to 2007 there myself, and while I had a lot of good times and a great group of friends, the town is downright depressing as far as college towns go. There is a huge separation between the college and the town. A lot of people take little to no pride in the university (compared to somewhere like Columbia where everyone loves the Tigers), and there is little interaction between those associated with the university and the other residents of the town. As far as actual nightlife goes, there are maybe half a dozen bars scattered around town which tend to cater mostly to the local folks, and the Grotto which caters almost exclusively to UMR/MST students. The only really *nice* bar to hang out in in Rolla is Bruno's, which some students do go to.

However, I've always thought Waynesville was a pretty crappy town. It has a sort of "ghetto" element to it which seems to be brought on by the Fort, but it still a small, isolated town. Between Rolla and Waynesville, Rolla is a far nicer town to live in IMO.

[MoNative34]

Originally Posted by ShadowCaver

Sure there are some concerts, plays, etc., but you gotta recall that this is primarily an engineering/science/technical university, which really in a stereotypical manner don't do much in the line of culture...

Translation: No Ladies

[ShadowCaver]

Originally Posted by MoNative34

Translation: No Ladies

I said that...

However, that's what the local gals are for... which is were I gathered my woman from

[zeldaII]

Hi there, I recently started a new job at Ft. Leonard Wood and am facing a similar situation except that I currently live in Van Buren and plan on driving home on the weekends. Google maps say it is only 30.7 miles from Waynesville to Rolla. one of the guys I work with lives in Rolla and he said it is a 25 minute drive from FLW to Rolla. I am leaning towards Rolla because Waynesville/St. Robert are definitely military towns. Good luck,

[ShadowCaver]

EDIT: per some bouncing about last night with an old friend, do have to report that a few [3] of the taverns/pubs in Rolla last night were quite full and alive,,, maybe I hit 'em just on off-night the last couple times, but 2 had live bands, and other place was 70% full too. And of course Alex's Pizza was stillllll great!

[zeldaII]

That's good to know. I'm definitely leaning towards Rolla. The prices on efficiencies/studios seem more reasonable, and there are more to choose from. I have got to try the pizza at Alex's given your numerous recommendations.