Sedalia, MO (Columbia, Warrensburg, Marshall: apartments, rentals, crimes)

[mommyoftwo]

We have decided with Sedalia. I would like information on jobs, school system, crimes, etc. Everything I need to know please!!!

[chiefs fan]

My husband and I lived in Sedalia for a couple of years after I graduated from college in Houston, TX. The cost of living was really nice; homes are relatively inexpensive. Are you looking to rent or purchase?

I wasn't terribly impressed with the school system there, but I didn't feel it was unsafe either. The high school drop out rate was rather high when I lived there, but I just checked their stats and it seems to have improved to 87% as of 2006. You might want to research the school district on http://www.schoolmatters.com/
or
http://www.greatschools.net/

The people in Sedalia were very friendly, and even though we moved there from a big city, we never felt unwelcome. The town is very pretty and there has been a good effort to restore some of the old buildings downtown. The Missouri State Fair is held in Sedalia, and there is a community college near the fair grounds.

The job market isn't exactly hot, but it isn't as tough as smaller towns in that part of the state; depending on the line of work for what you are searching. Is there a particular industry or skill you are looking for? Sedalia is the county seat for Pettis County.

We moved there because I had a job lined up, but it took a while for my husband to find a position with his degree and ended up with a job in Warrensburg. Even though it was a good distance, there really is no traffic there so he was able to get there in about a 1/2 hour.

[mommyoftwo]

Originally Posted by chiefs fan

My husband and I lived in Sedalia for a couple of years after I graduated from college in Houston, TX. The cost of living was really nice; homes are relatively inexpensive. Are you looking to rent or purchase?

I wasn't terribly impressed with the school system there, but I didn't feel it was unsafe either. The high school drop out rate was rather high when I lived there, but I just checked their stats and it seems to have improved to 87% as of 2006. You might want to research the school district on http://www.schoolmatters.com/
or
http://www.greatschools.net/

The people in Sedalia were very friendly, and even though we moved there from a big city, we never felt unwelcome. The town is very pretty and there has been a good effort to restore some of the old buildings downtown. The Missouri State Fair is held in Sedalia, and there is a community college near the fair grounds.

The job market isn't exactly hot, but it isn't as tough as smaller towns in that part of the state; depending on the line of work for what you are searching. Is there a particular industry or skill you are looking for? Sedalia is the county seat for Pettis County.

We moved there because I had a job lined up, but it took a while for my husband to find a position with his degree and ended up with a job in Warrensburg. Even though it was a good distance, there really is no traffic there so he was able to get there in about a 1/2 hour.

thank you!!! we are actually looking to rent for now. do you know where i can get landlord information and what rent usually runs for a 3 bedroom house or apartment? My husband works at a meat packing plant right now. He's a machine operator specialist. Do you know what factories are down there? I would like just a part time night job waitressing or something. Do you know how far it is to lake of the ozarks? What is there to do? thank you again!!!

[chiefs fan]

There was a Tyson chicken plant just west of Sedalia, in Dresden I think. I'm pretty sure it is still open. Pittsburgh Corning was in Sedalia, too. It's been a few years since I have been in Sedalia, so you would have to check to see if these places are still around. ConAgra was somewhere near central MO too, but I can't remember exactly where.

The Lake of the Ozarks is 2 hours away, max....probably not even that long. Harry S Truman Reservoir is about an hour away. Branson is a pretty fun place to visit too. We used to drive to Columbia or KC on the weekends sometimes. Columbia is about an hour away, and KC is about 1.5 hours.

I'm not sure about rentals in the area; I'm sure you should have no problem finding a rental though. When we moved there, we were originally going to rent but found that we could afford to buy a home for the amount we were planning to spend on rent.

[mommyoftwo]

thank you for your response!!! i appreciate the help. we plan on going down maybe next weekend if not then the second weekend in May. I am getting really excited to get outta Nebraska. Thanks again!!!!

[chiefs fan]

You're welcome. Please let us know your impression of Sedalia after your return!

[busyone]

I have lived in Sedalia most of my life. It really is a nice town. The schools are pretty good, as I have taught here, as well. A tax increase was just passed to build a new HS and add additional classrooms for a couple of the elementary schools. This will really help as class sizes are rather large right now.
You shouldn't have much trouble finding jobs. There are several factories here MANY eating establishments.
A nice 3bdrm. home is about $85,000+ If you are wanting a housing community, you can look at adding at least $20,000. There are some 3 bdrm. apartments/duplexes in town and they start somewhere around $650/mo., I think. We actually have a 3 bdrm. house that may be available to rent soon. It's close to 2 schools and shopping.
Lake of the Ozarks is about 90 min. away and Truman Lake is about 45 min. away. Branson is a straight 3 hr. drive south and KC is about 90 min. west. Many people like to shop in Columbia which is an hour east.
I'm sure you will like Sedalia. I know lots of people who move here and just seem to stay!

[LeavingMO]

Cost of living in Sedalia is low. However, I went to school in there and was not impressed. Your husband should not have trouble finding a job either at Tyson or at ConAgra in Marshall. Good luck.

[guvjim]

Originally Posted by LeavingMO

Cost of living in Sedalia is low. However, I went to school in there and was not impressed. Your husband should not have trouble finding a job either at Tyson or at ConAgra in Marshall. Good luck.

My first wife was born and raised in Sedalia. We lived there for a few years after I got out of the service. I always looked forward to the State Fair which is held in Sedalia. Nice places around to visit. I am from Illinois, and we eventually headed back to Chicago where work was better. She passed away in '90, but I still go back to visit her family. It was a really nice place to live.

[Onyx-ninja]

Sedalia is a nice little town. Originally from Denver (big city) we were attracted to Sedalia's "big city in a small town" feel. One thing I would like to say....Sedalia DOES have alot of theft especially if you live on the east side of town (unfortunitely that is my location..) I have lived in CO, NE, KS, and other cities in MO but Sedalia is the only town I've ever been burgalized in, 3 times in two years. I installed tons of flood lights, got a watch dog, lock everything up tight.....does little to deter the theives. The house behind me was burgalized, and one time a family went thru and robbed several blocks (including mine) in the area of anything outside from flower pots, blikes to solar lights.

It is much nicer on the west side of town....not that the east side isn't nice