Columbia (Springfield, Joplin, Washington: fit in, neighborhoods, to buy)

[cyrano]

Originally Posted by newenglandgirl

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

You probably mean "Old Southwest," which is the area bounded, more or less, by Broadway to the north, Garth to the east, the MKT Trail to the south (to make sure that Grasslands isn't included...they would be SO offended), and West Blvd. to the west. That's not totally precise, and there are nice houses on Broadway on the north side of the street whose owners consider themselves to be part of this neighborhood. You may have lived here when West Boulevard really was the westernmost boundary of town, or fairly close to it. Now, "west" goes out for miles. There was also a time when they built Schnuck's at the corner of Stadium and Forum and that was considered far out. No more.

Old Southwest is the area that has probably risen in value, comparatively, more than any other area. It would be hard to find anything here under $150k, and many houses are selling for 3x that.

I just wouldn't want to rely on public transport as my primary means of getting around. If you can bike, there's a growing, 4-season urban bike culture being cultivated (although if you read the Tribune's online comments, you'd think there was open warfare between cyclists and motorists). I know people who have (mostly) given up their cars in favor of bicycling. But the buses? I had a discussion with someone who thinks I'm not seeing the real volume of ridership that's there, but candidly, I don't see it. The only time I see full buses are those coming from what I call the student condo ghettos (the new apartment complexes around Grindstone Parkway) going to MU in the morning. I think you'd be setting yourself up for long waits if you relied on the bus...but again, the city's website gives both routes and schedules. If you absolutely didn't want a car, you might consider a scooter-- we do have hills that can be challenging to cyclists who aren't in good shape.

Being close to downtown no longer means being close to "ordinary" shops like grocery stores. The closest thing to a real grocery store on the west side of downtown is a Walgreens at Providence and Broadway. There's an independent grocery store east of Boone Hospital, opposite Stephens Lake Park, but most people shop at one of the chains-- Wal-Mart, Hy-Vee, Schnuck's, or Gerbe's.

[Retiree951]

Can anyone please comment on this development? Located Northwest, it's the one with all the animal names for street names. I would be very curious to hear what people think? Thanks in advance!

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by cyrano

I just wouldn't want to rely on public transport as my primary means of getting around. If you can bike, there's a growing, 4-season urban bike culture being cultivated (although if you read the Tribune's online comments, you'd think there was open warfare between cyclists and motorists). I know people who have (mostly) given up their cars in favor of bicycling. But the buses? I had a discussion with someone who thinks I'm not seeing the real volume of ridership that's there, but candidly, I don't see it. The only time I see full buses are those coming from what I call the student condo ghettos (the new apartment complexes around Grindstone Parkway) going to MU in the morning. I think you'd be setting yourself up for long waits if you relied on the bus...but again, the city's website gives both routes and schedules. If you absolutely didn't want a car, you might consider a scooter-- we do have hills that can be challenging to cyclists who aren't in good shape.

Would scootters be be allowed on the trails? (probably not...)...also, how does "four-season" bike trail apply to winter months, don't you get snow and ice?

With the huge senior population coming up (boomers), I would think Columbia would anticipate that and get a good bus system in place. Or is there a senior van (if so, it's going to be very busy in a few years!)

[newenglandgirl]

Originally Posted by Retiree951

Can anyone please comment on this development? Located Northwest, it's the one with all the animal names for street names. I would be very curious to hear what people think? Thanks in advance!

Someone on another thread mentioned recent break-in's/crime in this area (Vanderveen), I think. You could google it.

[Clipperlover]

Originally Posted by kareybear

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

These are just personal observations, so take them with a grain of salt. I bought my place five years ago, and helped a friend move about 18 months ago, so areas/subdivisions are pretty fresh in my mind.

This house is in El Chaparral. You can get a lot of house for your money here, but I remember that streets were not in good condition and that (maybe) this is just out of city limits for fixing that sort of thing. Not 100% sure. Anyone else know?

Originally Posted by kareybear

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

IMO, the subdivisions and homes off of Green Meadows (like this one) tend to be solid, family-oriented areas. Generally good maintenance and good neighborhoods. If this house is in good condition, that's a great deal.

Originally Posted by kareybear

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

This is by Albert Oakland Park and School. Don't go too far north of Blue ridge Road...subdivisions aren't as good IMO. I remember this being a generally good area. If you go West from here along Blue Ridge, you run into Derby Ridge, which is a good subdivision.

Just my .02. Hope this helps.

[kareybear]

Originally Posted by Clipperlover

These are just personal observations, so take them with a grain of salt. I bought my place five years ago, and helped a friend move about 18 months ago, so areas/subdivisions are pretty fresh in my mind.

This house is in El Chaparral. You can get a lot of house for your money here, but I remember that streets were not in good condition and that (maybe) this is just out of city limits for fixing that sort of thing. Not 100% sure. Anyone else know?



IMO, the subdivisions and homes off of Green Meadows (like this one) tend to be solid, family-oriented areas. Generally good maintenance and good neighborhoods. If this house is in good condition, that's a great deal.




This is by Albert Oakland Park and School. Don't go too far north of Blue ridge Road...subdivisions aren't as good IMO. I remember this being a generally good area. If you go West from here along Blue Ridge, you run into Derby Ridge, which is a good subdivision.

Just my .02. Hope this helps.

Great Thank You for your 2 cents please check back after next Wednesday since I will be doing more house hunting.

El chapperel road looked like they just been fixed but only problem I looked up for sex offender and there is one down the street which is a child molester... Not good for me since I have kids.

[gimme it]

I think with 3 kids, it might be best to find a house that you really like in a school zone that you really love. It may make up the difference to having a smaller yard. It depends on how much your kids really use the yard.

Also, which area is more appealing:the southwest or around Rockbridge State Park, which seems to be central south?

[kareybear]

Originally Posted by gimme it

I think with 3 kids, it might be best to find a house that you really like in a school zone that you really love. It may make up the difference to having a smaller yard. It depends on how much your kids really use the yard.

Also, which area is more appealing:the southwest or around Rockbridge State Park, which seems to be central south?

Where is rockbridge state park?

Not only I have 3 kids but I have two big fur babies as well and will be having another one.... so yard will be part of my decision.... I don't know if there is a dog park? I am also looking for were kids are playing in the street because I my kids needs friends to play with.

This is by Albert Oakland Park and School. Don't go too far north of Blue ridge Road...subdivisions aren't as good IMO. I remember this being a generally good area. If you go West from here along Blue Ridge, you run into Derby Ridge, which is a good subdivision.

What do you mean by aren't as good? It is the poor side of town or lots of crime please describe for me. We aren't rich people more on the poor side might be the area to live.

[Clipperlover]

When you go north and get near or go past Highway 63, you move out of city limits/jurisdiction. Again, just my opinion, but subdivisions in those areas have more of a problem with public services (including police). There are more areas with lots of duplexes and rentals, which often (not always) means a less permanent population. In Columbia, crime seems to be more a problems in those areas. You might save $10-20,000 on your purchase price, but I'm not sure it's worth it. Anyone else want to chime in on this?


But it's not really an issue of being rich...Columbia has plenty of good houses in good neighborhoods for reasonable prices. This house, on 806 Medina, is a about a block and half from me, in Parkade North.


806 Medina (http://www.susanhorak.com/listings/323272/MedinaIndex.html - broken link)


It's kid central around here...Parkade North is a very family friendly subdivision. It's a 4 bedroom with over 2000 sq. ft. for under $160,000. The websites for Housesmart realty and homes.com show that there are over 30 homes of over 1900 sq. ft. for under $150000, and more than 50 for less than $160000.


The area by Rock Bridge State Park is really nice. It can be kind of a pain to get to either Highway 63 or (even more) I-70 from there, though, if that's an issue.

[ozarksboy]

Columbia ought to be the locale of choice for most outsiders wanting to buy property in Missouri while still being what they consider civilized. White, male, heterosexual Christians are probably a minority. so it is definitely diverse.