Columbia (Oakland, Parkway: apartment complexes, sex offender, house)

[kareybear]

Originally Posted by newenglandgirl

Kareybear, best wishes on your house hunt! We will be very curious to find out what you experience. What price range are you looking in?

Ok here is my update.... Overwhelming... I looked at 8 houses in three hours and wasn't finished. My baby was so good for me that day... Bless her heart. Out of all the houses I liked one but it has a small yard.... I might have to go with a smaller house with a big yard. I have two dogs and might have one more so I need a yard and remember I have three kids as well.. I will be going back next week. Don't want it to be to much for my baby.

The highest I will go $150,000 but to pay this price it has be moved in ready and more 2000sq ft. home.

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by kareybear

Ok here is my update.... Overwhelming... I looked at 8 houses in three hours and wasn't finished. My baby was so good for me that day... Bless her heart. Out of all the houses I liked one but it has a small yard.... I might have to go with a smaller house with a big yard. I have two dogs and might have one more so I need a yard and remember I have three kids as well.. I will be going back next week. Don't want it to be to much for my baby.

The highest I will go $150,000 but to pay this price it has be moved in ready and more 2000sq ft. home.

Can I ask what parts of Columbia you were looking in? Anything close in, walkable to town (or near the U) that is a safe neighborhood? Were the houses in that price range more fixer-uppers or move-in ready? I'm curious because I'm still thinking....

[muman]

Originally Posted by newenglandgirl

Can I ask what parts of Columbia you were looking in? Anything close in, walkable to town (or near the U) that is a safe neighborhood? Were the houses in that price range more fixer-uppers or move-in ready? I'm curious because I'm still thinking....

I know your question wasn't directed to me, but I'll give a brief answer. I think that in general, the areas directly to the west of campus will be a little less of the fixer-upper variety and a tad more expensive, whereas those to the east the opposite. In fact, I'd say to the east of campus you'll run into more apartments and houses occupied by students. Immediately north of campus is downtown, and you could probably find an apartment if it's your thing and you like a less car dependent lifestyle. Immediately to the south of campus are the stadiums, and then it's quite a stretch from the stadiums to the nearest residential areas as you go south on Providence Rd.

So if you really want to be close to campus, but not surrounded by uni students having keggers (or streaming out of bars downtown) on Friday and Saturday night, look a few short blocks to the west of campus. They're older homes, but mostly well-maintained and the neighborhoods seem fairly quiet yet close to everything, such as the library, downtown restaurants and shops, MU, etc. Just my opinion.

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by muman

I know your question wasn't directed to me, but I'll give a brief answer. I think that in general, the areas directly to the west of campus will be a little less of the fixer-upper variety and a tad more expensive, whereas those to the east the opposite. In fact, I'd say to the east of campus you'll run into more apartments and houses occupied by students. Immediately north of campus is downtown, and you could probably find an apartment if it's your thing and you like a less car dependent lifestyle. Immediately to the south of campus are the stadiums, and then it's quite a stretch from the stadiums to the nearest residential areas as you go south on Providence Rd.

So if you really want to be close to campus, but not surrounded by uni students having keggers (or streaming out of bars downtown) on Friday and Saturday night, look a few short blocks to the west of campus. They're older homes, but mostly well-maintained and the neighborhoods seem fairly quiet yet close to everything, such as the library, downtown restaurants and shops, MU, etc. Just my opinion.

Thanks for the info...is the area you're talking about generally the "Southwest"?

[kareybear]

Originally Posted by newenglandgirl

Can I ask what parts of Columbia you were looking in? Anything close in, walkable to town (or near the U) that is a safe neighborhood? Were the houses in that price range more fixer-uppers or move-in ready? I'm curious because I'm still thinking....

I looked northwest,southeast,southwest and northeast... I think because she was driving. Let me give you example: The house I looked yesterday that I liked-
Is on the Southeast side was move in ready...very nice and fancy home and great neighborhood with big houses all around asking for $149,900 and 2877 sq.ft. home
1937 S ALAMOS PLACE
COLUMBIA, MO 65201
Active / 322946

Then I looked at another home $129,000 for a 1921 sq ft. home which was flipped by a local flipper. Also ready to be moved is locate southwest.
$129,900
812 CYPRESS LN
COLUMBIA, MO 65203-2928
Active / 323358

Here is another house little small of house a bigger backyard but need some costmetic work in the house for $115,000 with 1495 sq ft home on the northwest side
$115,000
3511 WOODSIDE DR
COLUMBIA, MO 65202
Active / 323463

Then I looked at two houses one is HUD and another one exact identical home. The HUD $79,500 and the other $114,900 both needed work. The HUD had water in the garage and mold the other was not worth the price for that home. I also didn't like the lay out.

HUD home
$89,900
1609 SKYLANE DR
COLUMBIA, MO 65202-1712
Active / 323350

I can't find the other listing.
I will be looking next wednesday as well with more land etc...
I hope I was able to help you.

[muman]

Originally Posted by newenglandgirl

Thanks for the info...is the area you're talking about generally the "Southwest"?

Actually, all of the areas that I mentioned would probably be considered 'central'. I mentioned those areas immediately near the center of town and within walking distance of downtown/MU because you had mentioned walkable and close to the university. The homes in the areas I mentioned are mostly older since they're in the older, central part of town. There are some great neighborhoods and I'd consider them more walkable and convenient to what I consider to be a really nice and thriving, though not big downtown. As I mentioned, if I were going to buy a home or apartment in Columbia, I'd probably choose the area to the immediate (walking distance) west of the campus or even possibly downtown (though it may be a tad rowdy on weekends). Those are just my preferences.

The southwestern/southern part of town is nice, however. Just not what I would call 'walkable', or near the university. You could also find some nice, newer neighborhoods and homes further north of town for probably less money than in the south.

[Retiree951]

Thanks to all for posting and keeping this thread going. Very good info!!!

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by muman

Actually, all of the areas that I mentioned would probably be considered 'central'. I mentioned those areas immediately near the center of town and within walking distance of downtown/MU because you had mentioned walkable and close to the university. The homes in the areas I mentioned are mostly older since they're in the older, central part of town. There are some great neighborhoods and I'd consider them more walkable and convenient to what I consider to be a really nice and thriving, though not big downtown. As I mentioned, if I were going to buy a home or apartment in Columbia, I'd probably choose the area to the immediate (walking distance) west of the campus or even possibly downtown (though it may be a tad rowdy on weekends). Those are just my preferences.

The southwestern/southern part of town is nice, however. Just not what I would call 'walkable', or near the university. You could also find some nice, newer neighborhoods and homes further north of town for probably less money than in the south.

Many thanks for your great info!
The Cypress Lane house looks like the kind that would fit the bill for me...as a retiree. Do you remember if it's walkable to anything such as library or U, and if the neighborhood seems "safe"? I'm surprised to see a house that price in the SW.

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by muman

Actually, all of the areas that I mentioned would probably be considered 'central'. I mentioned those areas immediately near the center of town and within walking distance of downtown/MU because you had mentioned walkable and close to the university. The homes in the areas I mentioned are mostly older since they're in the older, central part of town. There are some great neighborhoods and I'd consider them more walkable and convenient to what I consider to be a really nice and thriving, though not big downtown. As I mentioned, if I were going to buy a home or apartment in Columbia, I'd probably choose the area to the immediate (walking distance) west of the campus or even possibly downtown (though it may be a tad rowdy on weekends). Those are just my preferences.

The southwestern/southern part of town is nice, however. Just not what I would call 'walkable', or near the university. You could also find some nice, newer neighborhoods and homes further north of town for probably less money than in the south.

Thanks for clarifying...I guess I was mistaken...seemed to remember the old neighborhoods (West Blvd South, around there) as being identified as SouthWest. Those neighborhoods are not downtown of course but still pretty close in...and I thought they'd be high-priced. I don;'t remember any public transport in Columbia, though I had kids then and didn't need it. Public transport would seal the deal for me

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by Retiree951

Thanks to all for posting and keeping this thread going. Very good info!!!

Just curious why you're interested in Columbia. Need all the encouragement I can get! It's hard to think of moving that far away, but the kids are all over the country so where's home, really?