Missouri? Maybe...Seeking Info on Certain Towns (Kansas City, Columbia: houses, neighborhoods)

[Miss Rutabaga]

Hello!

I am moving back to America from Europe. I am looking at a lot of options and different places in the States ( I am an American.) I have always liked the Midwest and New England (having lived lots of places in the past.) I am doing research on a few states I have narrowed down.

So...this is what I am seeking if Missouri was my destination:

1. A small (er) town that is peaceful possibly artsy or open to the arts.
2. A place that has a health food, spiritual community would be great.
3. Friendly people.
4. Antique shops, a good bookstore and people who read books.
5. A good crafty community.
6. Near a major university or bigger city...to get in for culture fixes.
7. Old historic neighborhoods/houses.
8. It does need to be within decent driving distance from Lee's Summit, Mo. (An hour or hour and a half is fine.)
9. Most important: affordable housing!

Any information would be most appreciated. Thank you very much!

Hi....

I wouldn't have to be commuting to Lee's Summit everyday...by the way.

Miss R.

[Hillman]

Ok I'll just shoot a couple towns out there.I Love Warsaw.Lexington is a nice town.Or maybe Waerrensburg.

May not have all you want but to me nice towns.

hillman

[Miss Rutabaga]

Thanks...Hillman....I've give a look.

MR

[Silvermouse]

The only place I can think of that even comes close to most of your list is Eureka Springs Arkansas. Granted it's a long way from Lee's Summit, but it's got artsy/crafty/historic homes out the wazoo. Could be a pricy place though.

[christina0001]

Lee's Summit is a nice town. It itself might be a good option for you. Not sure how small of a small town you are looking for.
If you want to be near a university but not in too big of a town, you might consider Warrensburg.
I love Parkville (another college town), but you'd be doomed to commuting through Kansas City every day.
Lexington (suggested above) is a cute little town. So is Warsaw. Either would be a long commute IMO though.

[OA 5599]

Originally Posted by Silvermouse

The only place I can think of that even comes close to most of your list is Eureka Springs Arkansas. Granted it's a long way from Lee's Summit, but it's got artsy/crafty/historic homes out the wazoo. Could be a pricy place though.

I agree....I can't think of a single small town that meets even half of those criteria in Missouri. Eureka Springs, AR could work, but it is a long ways from Lee's Summit.

If you can settle for a "big" town, I think the closest you can come would be Columbia, MO (population ~90,000). The University of Missouri is located in Columbia, and as a result is has all the typical arts, cultural, and other amenities found in most college towns. Lawrence, Kansas (home of the University of Kansas) is another option, which I believe is slightly closer to Lees Summit, and is very comparable to Columbia (although a little smaller, more laid back, and scenic, IMO)

The crux of the matter is that the vast majority of small towns in the lower Midwest aren't artsy, health-oriented places with the kind of cultural amenities you are looking for. However, many small towns in Missouri may have a few residents with a similar lifestyle to yours, and may also contain a university, art gallery, or good health food store, but the general "vibe" of most of the towns just aren't what you are describing.

[ozarksboy]

Originally Posted by Miss Rutabaga

1. A small (er) town that is peaceful possibly artsy or open to the arts.
2. A place that has a health food, spiritual community would be great.
3. Friendly people.
4. Antique shops, a good bookstore and people who read books.
5. A good crafty community.
6. Near a major university or bigger city...to get in for culture fixes.
7. Old historic neighborhoods/houses.
8. It does need to be within decent driving distance from Lee's Summit, Mo. (An hour or hour and a half is fine.)
9. Most important: affordable housing!

Let me recommend Newburg, Mo. It is a peaceful small town. A painter lives there. Many of the folks who live there grow their own healthy food and will share it with you. It's a spiritual community with, I believe, three churches in the town. The folks are friendly. Now just a hop, skip and jump up the hill and over about 5 miles is Rolla, a bigger town, with a major state university. Rolla also has many antique shops, bookstores and people who read books. I for one have been known to read a book published by Marvel or DC. Newburg has affordable housing with many old houses. It is about an hour and half from Lee's Summit; oh, wait, that's Holts Summit. Never mind. Forget it.

[OA 5599]

Originally Posted by ozarksboy

Let me recommend Newburg, Mo. It is a peaceful small town. A painter lives there. Many of the folks who live there grow their own healthy food and will share it with you. It's a spiritual community with, I believe, three churches in the town. The folks are friendly. Now just a hop, skip and jump up the hill and over about 5 miles is Rolla, a bigger town, with a major state university. Rolla also has many antique shops, bookstores and people who read books. I for one have been known to read a book published by Marvel or DC. Newburg has affordable housing with many old houses. It is about an hour and half from Lee's Summit; oh, wait, that's Holts Summit. Never mind. Forget it.

Newburg, eh? I've been through there many a time myself...one of the things us UMR students found to do was go cruise down back roads. Newburg feels downright creepy at night...probably the abandoned houses, lack of people outside, and overgrown streets on steep hillsides. I've always thought it was an interesting town and have wanted to know more about the history...it looks like it must have been a booming place at some point...perhaps getting bypassed by US 66 choked off the town while places like Rolla and St. James grew?

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by Miss Rutabaga

Hello!

I am moving back to America from Europe. I am looking at a lot of options and different places in the States ( I am an American.) I have always liked the Midwest and New England (having lived lots of places in the past.) I am doing research on a few states I have narrowed down.

So...this is what I am seeking if Missouri was my destination:

1. A small (er) town that is peaceful possibly artsy or open to the arts.
2. A place that has a health food, spiritual community would be great.
3. Friendly people.
4. Antique shops, a good bookstore and people who read books.
5. A good crafty community.
6. Near a major university or bigger city...to get in for culture fixes.
7. Old historic neighborhoods/houses.
8. It does need to be within decent driving distance from Lee's Summit, Mo. (An hour or hour and a half is fine.)
9. Most important: affordable housing!

Any information would be most appreciated. Thank you very much!

Hi....

I wouldn't have to be commuting to Lee's Summit everyday...by the way.

Miss R.

I have not read the replies so I may be duplicating.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas


20yrsinBranson

[Norge13]

I'd suggest, in no particular order, Boonville and Lexington. Since the latter was suggested, I'll focus my comments on Boonville. It's got a cute little downtown commercial district, and it's 25 minutes from Columbia and the Univ. of Missouri, which from your criteria above, I think you'd love. And, it's on the Lee's Summit side of Columbia. They have arts and music festivals, there are quite a few professors and the like from Mizzou living there, and there are many of the amenities you'd seek, while still being a smaller town than Columbia itself. We have a small farm about 25 minutes from Boonville, and we were looking for many of the things you were, but wanted a more rural home. Also, nearby Arrow Rock has a stellar and well-regarded theatre. If you have any more specific questions, feel free to ask. Happy hunting!