Where in Mo? (St. Louis, Springfield, St. John: transplants, home, school)

[Lake Junkie]

Absolutely second the motion that you visit Missouri before making a firm decision. Many of the people I work with make "tentative" decisions based on what they see online only to discover that it "feels" different after they're here in person!

If you have the luxury, and can narrow it down to three or four areas of the state, spend a couple of weeks and take 3-4 days in each of the areas you're considering. Spend one day with a professional who can give you some history, an overview of the region. Spend one day going into lots of small locally owned restaurant-type places talking to people and really listening. And ideally spend a day just relaxing & getting a feel...

I moved from Sacramento to SW MO 15 years ago. We made the decision just by looking at houses. I wish I had done what I'm now recommending to everyone...

I personally like the weather of the far south of the state...plus the crazy mixture of small town + amenities that only a resort area can give you! (Not to mention the lake...)

Good Luck with your search...


~Lake Junkie


P.S. Republic is a very nice "bedroom" community of Springfield. They have had their share of itsy bitsy tornados tho...so consider a basement if you decide on that berg!

[christina0001]

Have you been out here to visit? If not, why not rent a house for a week or so and visit with the kids, maybe the in-laws too. Nothing can substitute for an in-person visit.

[lone sailor]

Originally Posted by luvbnmom03

So I went on homes.com and looked up some homes in Fair Grove and Willard, a city named Republic also came up...WOWOWOWOW the house prices, a 4 bdrm for 179k?! WHAT?! My SoCAl brain couldn't believe it! You can't touch a foreclosed condo here for that, and yes even in today's market!!!! So any comments on Republic? What's it like? I'll keep doing research and I won't let myself go on just home prices. THANKS AGAIN for the replies!

Funny you mention Republic, as that's where we are. Only outside of town. It is a nice place, and has most conveniences you would want for a smaller town(approx. 13k population). They are lots of new subdivisions popping up and there is plenty of property to be had if living in the country is your cup of tea. Republic is an A+ school. Go here to check it out... A+ Schools Program

I enjoy the area because it is a no nonsense kind of place. I have never been bothered or harassed. Feel very comfortable walking around in the evening(me and the wife's thing). Never even been pulled over by law enforcement here, although they have a pretty good presence if you ask me. I work in Springfield and it's only a 20 minute commute to the east side of town. Not sure if you're a stay at home mom, but there are several day care facilities in the area that are really good. I'm sure there is more info I could really, but I'm tapped out at the moment.

[luvbnmom03]

We're making plans to visit in the spring! So this is all great advice! Now here's another question: reading Lake Junkie's post... TORNADOES?! Ok, Ok, I've experienced my share of earthquakes and from what my in-laws who lived in Sunrise Beach for alittle over 9 years, they said they only got 1 tornado scare (had to go the their "safe" place), heres the question, how bad/scary is it, honestly? I've heard the argument, "well at least with tornadoes you'll get warning, with earthquakes you just get the shock!" Which city has the LEAST tornadoe scare?

[OA 5599]

Tornadoes seem to affect most of the state. I spent the first 22 years of my life in Missouri, and growing up with it, its really not that bad. When I was in high school we had one come within a mile of our house and were completely unaware, besides one strong gust of wind and the power going out, nothing happened. A mile away trees were down everywhere and the power lines had also been destroyed. We had to go into the basement only once the entire time I lived in Missouri, because the tornado siren was going off in town (4 miles away), and nothing ended up happening. I'm sure that someone who has lived through an actual tornado hitting their home would have a much scarier account than I had. I really don't think tornadoes are that bad however, and I certainly wouldn't discourage you moving to Missouri based on that alone. The occasional tornado or ice storm in Missouri really aren't anything to all of the wildfires, landslides, flash floods, and earthquakes in California.

Compared to an earthquake, the damage caused by a tornado is much more localized...you don't get damage over hundreds of square miles, just the path where the tornado has touched down, which is usually a few miles long. There is substantial earthquake danger in southeastern Missouri associated with the New Madrid Fault Zone, but the rest of the state is quite safe. I do suggest getting a house with a basement or storm shelter, since then you will have a safe place to hide if a tornado does hit your house, and even if you never have to use is, you'll have the additional peace of mind knowing you have a safe place if you do need one. And of course, a good home insurance plan covering storm and tornado damage is a must.

[luvbnmom03]

you know I have to say, I've been researching many states, posted on many states, you Mo people are by far the most friendly and QUICK to reply...love it!

[STLCardsBlues1989]

My town had 2 tornadoes, the same day, 2 years apart.

Neither killed anyone. First was an F-5 next was F-3.

Neither got very close to my house. It was a little scary, but I know the routine. Go hide in the bathroom until it is safe. Each tornado there were a couple houses destroyed, and a flower shop, but there are certainly more destructive things that could happen.

We're also supposed to be like 50 years overdue for "the big one" on the New Madrid Fault.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by luvbnmom03

you know I have to say, I've been researching many states, posted on many states, you Mo people are by far the most friendly and QUICK to reply...love it!

That's been my experience as well. Perhaps we'll cross paths in the spring!

[lone sailor]

Originally Posted by luvbnmom03

We're making plans to visit in the spring! So this is all great advice! Now here's another question: reading Lake Junkie's post... TORNADOES?! Ok, Ok, I've experienced my share of earthquakes and from what my in-laws who lived in Sunrise Beach for alittle over 9 years, they said they only got 1 tornado scare (had to go the their "safe" place), heres the question, how bad/scary is it, honestly? I've heard the argument, "well at least with tornadoes you'll get warning, with earthquakes you just get the shock!" Which city has the LEAST tornadoe scare?

It's all a game of chance, as no one really knows where one might touch down. However, there are places that are prone than others, but in the general Springfield area, there have only been a handful in the past few years. The big one went right through Springfield itself and did quite a bit of damage. From my perspective it seem that these tornado producing storms like staying to the south of Springfield for some reason. There have been a few on the north side, but near as many. Having a basement gives you peace of mind, but the chance you will actually be in a tornado is very slim. I wouldn't let it bias you decision.

[Lake Junkie]

Originally Posted by luvbnmom03

We're making plans to visit in the spring! So this is all great advice! Now here's another question: reading Lake Junkie's post... TORNADOES?! Ok, Ok, I've experienced my share of earthquakes and from what my in-laws who lived in Sunrise Beach for alittle over 9 years, they said they only got 1 tornado scare (had to go the their "safe" place), heres the question, how bad/scary is it, honestly? I've heard the argument, "well at least with tornadoes you'll get warning, with earthquakes you just get the shock!" Which city has the LEAST tornadoe scare?

I don't know if you can pick a city and say for sure that one has less chance of a tornado than another...someone correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that they tend to avoid/not form/shy away from the more mountainous areas. They seem to form best and get the biggest over flat land. And...I've been watching for 15 years, and they seem to go either north or south once they get to the lake here...for the most part!

Does anyone else see that too?

But it was NOT my intention to scare you! That would be like someone not moving to California simply because of earthquakes! It's just something you don't want to take lightly, and YES...if you're paying attention when the weather conditions are right...you'll have warning. There's a little thingy that appears on the bottom of the TV screen that says which counties have which warnings...

Do the research. Visit. I love it here.

15 years from CA...


~Lake Junkie