Where in Mo? (St. Louis, Springfield, St. Joseph: real estate, new home, buy)

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Cali BassMan

Don't Ya just love the way us NorCalers always say "Hey, I'm NOT from Southern California".....

But we're not, and we're probably all glad we're not.

Originally Posted by simplewife&mom

Now, I am from CA, but not Southern CA.

That proves it! Well, at least I'm not from SoCal anymore and haven't been for about 20 years.

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

You'll need to go coat shopping.

Check! Did that earlier this month.

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

The humidity can be bad, but I've heard from other people that humidity here is not as bad as down south.

I lived in AL, NC and VA before the days of air conditioners and in NC and VA, again, as well as GA and KY since. My wife lived in FL and NW AR. We'll acclimate.

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

People here seem to have the attitude that the government, for the most part, needs to butt out.

One of the BIG reasons we're moving in the Spring.

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

...Missourians in general seem to have good values. Most are pretty conservative (not saying that liberals don't have values). So, that conservatism may be a big change. The city of Springfield itself is a college town, but the outer lying areas are probably going to be mostly conservative (pro-life, no gay marriage, etc.).

More good reasons to move.

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

I think most Missourians are pretty friendly...

That's certainly what I've found online.

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

When it gets cold, though, you'll need to stay inside or wear the heavy clothing.

Clothing we have. Reason to go outside we won't have. We'll keep the larder stocked and we're both retired.

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

...but don't be surprised to hear a "crazy Californian" joke occasionally.

Don't be surprised if I tell some myself!

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

The weather and culture will take some getting used to.

We can hardly wait to begin.

[Silvermouse]

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

The humidity can be bad, but I've heard from other people that humidity here is not as bad as down south

I think the humidity will bother you most of all. When we visit relatives out west, it's a real killer to get acclimated again.

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

I don't live around Springfield, but I think southern Missourians in general seem to have good values.

Very Red state. Lots of us cling to our bibles and guns here.

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

Springfield does have some shopping. There's battlefield mall. And Incredible Pizza Place (or something like that).

Incredible Pizza sprung from the bowels of Hell. I would rather have hot pokers stabbed in my eyes than go back there. The kids loved it of course.

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

After a while people will realize that you're not a nut. I don't think anyone will hurt you, but don't be surprised to hear a "crazy Californian" joke occasionally.

Get your license plate changed ASAP.

[simplewife&mom]

Hunting seems really big all across Missouri. Not sure if that's the case in California. People here seem to have the attitude that the government, for the most part, needs to butt out.

Many people in this area are hunters. My husband hasn't done so for years, but we were blessed this season with venison in the freezer from a friend. I think in this area many want the gov't out of our lives. Unfortunately a lot of the state doesn't feel that way and our leaders at the capitol don't either! A major reason for wanting to move.

I don't live around Springfield, but I think southern Missourians in general seem to have good values. Most are pretty conservative (not saying that liberals don't have values). So, that conservatism may be a big change. The city of Springfield itself is a college town, but the outer lying areas are probably going to be mostly conservative (pro-life, no gay marriage, etc.).

This is just what we are looking for, and sounds like where I am now (though that is changing sadly) only much more so.

Thank you for the analysis.

[STLCardsBlues1989]

No problem.

But if somebody has something to add...

[northbound74]

Originally Posted by Silvermouse

Very Red state. Lots of us cling to our bibles and guns here.

Southern Missouri is very conservative, but the northern parts, especially around KC, St. Louis, and Columbia are much more moderate.
Missouri strikes me as purple. It's a bell-weather state(usually), and there's generally not going to be a landslide one way or the other. Take away the larger cities, though, and it becomes Nebraska.
I won't speak for St. Louis, but Kansas City, city proper is liberal for the most part. The suburbs are a fun mix of very conservative, very libertarian, and downright liberal, along with a few Lutherans.

[Silvermouse]

Originally Posted by northbound74

I won't speak for St. Louis, but Kansas City, city proper is liberal for the most part. The suburbs are a fun mix of very conservative, very libertarian, and downright liberal, along with a few Lutherans.

Simplewife was asking about southern Missouri. I've only been to KC once and St. Louis has so many problems, I don't even want to think about it.

[STLCardsBlues1989]

Well, any city has problems. If you like the city just kinda learn to deal with it.

I love St. Louis myself, though I don't live there. Yes, the city has been through a lot, but the city is still very beautiful, with fantastic architecture and things to do. I love the country, too, but I think I would choose St. Louis over Springfield, since both are about the same distance from where my family and I live now.

I've never been to Kansas City.

I don't think rural people and suburbanites need to be terrified of cities. Be careful, obviously. Don't leave your car running with the keys in it, don't leave valuable stuff in your car. If an area looks bad then just don't go there. Know where you're going and have a plan, but stepping foot into a city will probably not kill you.

[Silvermouse]

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

I don't think rural people and suburbanites need to be terrified of cities. there. Know where you're going and have a plan, but stepping foot into a city will probably not kill you.

Something about St. Louis's high murder rate just takes the starch right out of me. Silly I guess.

I do have to say when my Dad was in Barnes for an operation a few years ago, I was impressed how friendly the people around the hospital were. Pleasant surprise. I scurried back home as soon as I could of course.

[STLCardsBlues1989]

I understand some people are rural people, but you have to take crime numbers with a grain of salt.

Maybe not murder, but the other numbers can be a bit skewed. For one, the North Side is more dangerous (generally) than the South Side. Also, sometimes cities don't report certain crimes. Other cities may have just as much as crime, but if they don't report it...

There's crime in the city, but you'll probably be okay. I've walked from Scottrade to Union station, I've walked from the Ballpark back to our hotel. I'm still here.

[Inoxkeeper]

Keep in mind those STL murder numbers are skewed. Most cities have a metropolitan area consisting of a few hundred square miles. STL City is 60 something square miles.

If you factor in STL county you get a better comparison.

I kind of like STL's tough rep, it keeps the liberals away!