Looking at Farmington to relocate from NY (St. Louis, Ozark: rental, home)

[aliveinne]

My husband and I are interested in Farmington. What is the job situation like there and are there areas to stay away from as far as living? We are interested in owning or renting an older home. How about bugs? I know that is a weird question but, I might as well ask. Any info on Farmington would be helpful. Thanks!

[sixtwobaldguy]

Farmington is rural country folk, I don't mean that as an insult either just being honest. Hell yes there a bunch of bugs down there, you're in the middle of nowhere! I do know a psychologist that works down there, but she drives back to st louis to live because she just can't stand it down there lol On the other hand, if you want to live in a rural settng, with lots of cheap land and places to hike and stuff, it's great. If you want to be around a bunch of wishy washy bleeding heart liberals, you might want to visit the area first and get a feel for it because you won't like it there imo.

[ozarksboy]

Outstate Missouri is no place for New Yorkers. You should investigate St. Louis; many of those good folks are from the East, the rest of them act like they are or wish they were.

[kshe95girl]

Farmington is VERY rural, not much in the way of industry. Shopping there consists of Walmart. The economy is closely tied to agriculture, and they are not that friendly to "outlanders".
Why is it you are interested in moving there?
BTW, if you have a bug phobia, I suggest you stay in New York, as we all know, there are no bugs there.......

[OA 5599]

Haha...I don't know about very rural...Farmington is practically suburban compared to the part of Missouri where I grew up

I don't know that much about the town, but I have several friends who grew up there. From the few times I've visited it seems like a perfectly fine "bigger" small town, meaning it has more places to eat/shop that many of the surrounding smaller towns with may have only 2,000 people or so. Job prospects will likely be bleak...the economy is Missouri is not doing well, and even when times are good pay is low in the Ozarks. You may get some "reverse sticker-shock" with housing prices, but you will get them too with salaries. Absolutely do NOT move without a job lined up.

[ShadowCaver]

Originally Posted by aliveinne

My husband and I are interested in Farmington. What is the job situation like there and are there areas to stay away from as far as living? We are interested in owning or renting an older home. How about bugs? I know that is a weird question but, I might as well ask. Any info on Farmington would be helpful. Thanks!

Farmington, as previous posters have more than just slightly hinted at , is rural - but all is relevant to a person's own expectations and experiences. Without knowing more about your current experiences and/or desires, that is also why some of the replies may come across as unfriendly - just being matter-of-fact... and some may only associate NY w/ NYC, w/o thinking that there is a lot more to New York than just that large metropolis - there are many many burgs quite similar to Farmington in NY.

With that said, welcome to the forum, and potentially to MO - yet am curious as to how one picks Farmington to move to, and from just reading this post, maybe w/o a job? Please don't take offense, but realize that unemployment is not that low, and in places such as Farmington, there is not that much to begin with. I lived just up the road outside of Bonne Terre - and as sixtwobaldguy mentioned, it is rural, it is can be closed to outsiders [as is most smaller towns; however, no problems w/ me - had great neighbors, some food folks around there met too].

As to your 'weird' query... lol, yea, there are bugs... and snakes... and other vermin that can scare, worry, aggravate, etc. a person w/ phobias and/or high dislikes for such. Skeeters, ticks, spiders, and chiggers are most prevalent - as they are throughout most of the humid and lush Midwestern states. But, they are not, IMHO, anything to fret about - just be aware of, and take proper precautions... as everything in life a person should do.

Best of luck to yas... please keep us informed and holler back w/ more precise questions.

[joe stixpuck]

Farmington is nice if you want a larger town in a rural setting, which is also not far from a large city. Lots of outdoor stuff to do nearby. Many of the people there and in surrounding towns commute toward St. Louis for work, or drive up for all else that the city offers. It's a one-hour drive away.

ShadowCaver's post is a pretty accurate picture of the area...Bonne Terre is only about 10 miles up the road and in the same county. Farmington is pretty much the 'anchor' town for the area.

The rental and housing prices are GREAT there and in surrounding communities. You can rent a nice 3br home for around $700 in Farmington, and even less nearby. The local jobs are hard to come by, and do not pay well, unless your field is in the health care industry.

It's never been my experience that locals are unkind to people relocating from elsewhere. Like anywhere, some people are outgoing and others are not. And if you are from the City of New York that doesn't mean you won't necessarily like it or find friendships easily, although this area (or even STL) is a whole 'nuther world from NYC. I know a gal in her late 20's who moved here last year from NYC and she loves the area and has no plans to leave. She has made many friends, and most people find it interesting that she is from NY rather than the reverse. I met another gal recently who is from Palo Alto, CA (Silicon Valley, Stanford, Bay Area) and she seems to be having pretty much the same experience. I've lived in Philly, Chicago, Seattle, St. Louis, and the SF Bay Area (to name a few) and find the Farmington area refreshing enough to've moved back (for now anyway). And if you're from outstate NY then it's far less of a transitional experience. But as with relocating anywhere, what this area has to offer should be what you want, as opposed to wanting this area to be where you just left.

So far as population...primarily caucasian, with some african americans, asians, and hispanics living here as well. And as some people have mentioned the area is not generally 'liberal,' but there are more (local) Democratic officeholders than Republicans around here. It's a pretty even split though. Politically we've got plenty of folks in the center, with a fair dose of 'righty wing nuts' and a smattering of 'lefty populists.' Socially the area and its politics leans toward the conservative.

The Farmington schools are good, and there is a community college that anchors the area 5 miles away in Park Hills. There are plenty of places for everyday shopping (WalMart, Lowes, bunch of smaller places), lots of restaurants and fast food joints, a community center (water park, gym, concerts, events, etc), plenty of churches, and several hospitals. There are bars, but not a 'nightlife' scene, and a fair number of wineries are here also. There are plenty of parks, and some outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities nearby.

Oh yeah, and there is an excellent NY-style pizza place downtown called Bobarinos. The guy who runs it is from NYC, and the pies are great. Any more questions just ask.

[DinsdalePirahna]

They didn't say what part of NY they were from.

NY is a very rural state. Even in the more populated areas. Lots of Farms in the Hudson Valley.When you get west of the Hudson River, its really hard to tell NY from Ohio. I've been to towns in the Catskills and Taconics where the locals seem like they they came from a casting call for "Deliverence".

Its amazing how quickly you start seeing farms within 20 miles of NYC.

[sir]

I'm a blackman in my late 20's. I recently got a job offer as a social worker in one of the health centers in Farmington. But honestly, i read that Farmington has aout 95% white population and about 3% black. i'm really hesistant to accept this job offer. Any advise? Can a black person live comfortably and work with white families as a social worker? advise please. I currently reside in St. louis.

[chrokee69]

I live around Potosi area an have went to Farminton several times and I don't like it there. Nothing to do unless you farm. Like Potosi they don't cater to outsiders and you probaly won't get a job unless you have transfered to one. As for being a blackman stay and work where you are at with your degree in Sosial Services. They are quite the kkk mind set there in both places and would not like you being there either.