Possibly relocating to St Joseph MO (Kansas City, St. Joseph: for sale, real estate, foreclosure)

[golden22]

Hello,

I've been reading some posts the past few weeks and thought since most looked like they were from a yr or so ago, I might throw a few questions out there.

Our family of 5 may be relocating to St. Joe this summer. Can any one suggest areas that are favorable as far as housing, schools, shopping etc? I've read in their local paper that there will be some redistricting of the schools. Our price range is anywhere from 190K - 300K....I'd love to have at least an acre, since we have 2 dogs, and kids that love to be outside.

Thanks so much for any input!

[StJoeFanatic]

I would say that not much has changed in the past year...other than the redistricting, which really wasn't "that" big of deal...(I think people's FEAR was worse than reality). At any rate...you can read older posts (mine anyway) to get a better feel for St. Joseph.

Based on your price range, I would recommend looking for a house in the following subdivisions: Carriage Oaks or Wilshire. Carriage Oaks will probably get you more house and more yard than Wilshire will, but both are nice.

There are LOTS for sale right now, but they are starting to move in that area

[caturpilar]

The majority of homes in your price range will be on the east side of town, not all, but most. They have some very nice neighborhoods in that area. We are actually moving back because I cannot afford two mortgages and we don't want to let our home go to foreclosure. You will find most the schools in St. Joe are pretty good. My wife is a teacher and has been around the school districts and claims St. Joe is one of the top cities for schools. A lot of other cities in MO have come to St. Joe to evaluate the school system for a structure model of their own.

[northbayeric]

From my two visits to St. Joe, I think the newer areas east of I-29 and maybe north of Frederick Ave. would be good places to start looking. I really like the part of town around Lover's Lane and Ashland Ave.; there's a wide variety of older homes on these two north-south arteries and they're worth anywhere from $90K to over $300K. But I think the lots average 1/3 to 1/2 an acre.

Maybe the Carriage Oaks and Wilshire subdivisions StJoeFanatic mentioned (I don't know exactly where they're located, I confess) have larger lots.

Though property values in the part of northern California I live in have plummeted during the past three years, making a move to St. Joseph prohibitively difficult for me right now--with the economy and unemployment and all that--I just took to this quaint town like a duck takes to an azure lake. I can't wait to go back to St. Joe at least to visit. If you haven't been there and can spend at least three days checking out the area, I'd definitely try to do so.

Also, if it turns out you and your family will in fact be relocating there, and you need a real estate agent, I know one who I'd highly recommend who works in town. The City-Data forum bylaws prohibit me from giving this person's information here in this post, but you can send me a direct message by clicking on my name "Northbayeric" and choosing the "Send a Direct Message" option.

I hope it all works out! For raising a family and having a couple of dogs, St. Joe is pretty hard to beat IMO.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by northbayeric

I just took to this quaint town like a duck takes to an azure lake. I can't wait to go back to St. Joe at least to visit. If you haven't been there and can spend at least three days checking out the area, I'd definitely try to do so.

Here is an interesting history lesson. St. Joseph used to be a larger city than Kansas City, MO back in the middle 1800s. Kansas City became a railroad center while St. Joseph was largely bypassed. The rest is history. St. Joseph was and always has been more of an industrial Midwest town that is predominately blue collar. I am not sure if I would use the word "quaint" to describe the city because it is not that small IMO. Gradually, it is getting sucked into the nasty KC metro vortex. Buchanan County has a population density of 210 people per square mile so that definitely wouldn't qualify as being rural

[MoNative34]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

Here is an interesting history lesson. St. Joseph used to be a larger city than Kansas City, MO back in the middle 1800s. Kansas City became a railroad center while St. Joseph was largely bypassed. The rest is history. St. Joseph was and always has been more of an industrial Midwest town that is predominately blue collar.

That is a true history lesson and I repped Mr. Granite Stater to his first gold star.

Congrats!!

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by MoNative34

That is a true history lesson and I repped Mr. Granite Stater to his first gold star.

Congrats!!

Thanks

[Alicia Bradley]

St. Joe is a really cool city - the downtown is like a perfectly preserved slice of the nineteenth century. In some ways it would be nice if there were more going on there (for the city's economy and all), but there's something about the quiet and calm of the gorgeous 1920s (and earlier) neighborhoods near the downtown that's really magical. And the parks! I can understand why you'd want land if you can afford it, though.

And there are actually a few really good restaurants, too.. I'm not sure if mentioning specific ones is allowed, so I won't. Kansas City (which is a restaurant-lover's paradise and has tons of great shopping) is very close, too.

[golden22]

You all are wonderful, thank you. We will hopefully know more in the next few weeks.

It sounds like a great, all american city. We love the feel of this size of town, but being a 1/2 hr (from what I've read) from Kansas City has it's benefits too.

thanks again!

[chaseystarz]

I've spend some time in the St. Joe when I go up and work a women's tennis tournament. Most of the shopping is on the Belt. There is a mall that has Dilliards and JCP.

But up on the North Belt is the bigger shopping area with a Kohl's, Target, TJ Maxx, and a Borders. There's some other things in there too. St Joe is loaded with all kinds of chain eateries. When I was last up in Aug they were getting a Panera Bread.

Downtown in the D and G with some really good fried chicken.

The area is loaded with parks. I always found something to do when I wasn't working. The area is really quiet and easy to get around.

There's a Hy-Vee, a few Wal-Marts and a few other indie grocers.

St Joe had a nice public pool and they have an ice rink.

Kansas City isn't that far off. If you head to the Kansas side of KC there's a place called the Legends with some dining and some factory outlet shopping. Not much, but worth a stop.

I'll be going back in a few weeks. I'll see if anything has changed.