Lincoln (NE) VS Springfield (MO)... Which is better? (low crime, schools)

[GotClues]

My family has lived in a big city for a long time and we're sick of the crime, illegal immigration, drugs, violence, rising costs, and screwball liberals. We're looking for a low-crime, family-oriented, friendly, bible-belt, and peaceful sort of area with a population between 100k and 250k. Not a suburb of a bigger city, but a city unto itself. We need something with modern hospitals and services and decent wages, but without the extremes of the big cities. We're looking for a place where being hard-working, honest, and fundamentally decent doesn't put you in the minority.

We've been looking in different areas and two places we've come across that seem to fit this criteria are Lincoln, NE, and Springfield, MO. Both seem like nice cities.

What we wanted to know is which the better city to live in? Which has lower crime, better opportunities, better housing prices, etc... What are each city's good points and bad points? What are the differences and which would you live in if you had a choice?

Also, are there any other cities you would suggest that might fit what we're looking for?

Any suggestions, advice, or ideas are greatly appreciated. We just want to find someplace to live in that's like the way America used to be.

[Go Ne]

Try the General US forum at the bottom for more neutral ideas.
http://www.city-data.com/forum/general-u-s/

[averagejoe76]

I was born in Lincoln,have family there but i would choose Springfield.
Springfield would have milder winters,close to Ozarks.
Very Beautiful area,lots of outdoor stuff.
Springfield is very conservative.
Theres nothing wrong with Lincoln but thats where i would live given the choice.

[Gunluvver2]

I live in Lincoln and love it however I have visited the Springfield, MO area and love it also.
Lincoln probably has better schools.
Springfield has more recreation areas close by. Great fishing.
Springfield has warmer winters.
Lincoln probably has cooler summers.
Being close to Branson, MO would be a huge plus for me.
However I have a bunch of friends in Lincoln.

Having friends and family close by can be a positive or negative LOL.

GL2

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by GotClues

My family has lived in a big city for a long time and we're sick of the crime, illegal immigration, drugs, violence, rising costs, and screwball liberals. We're looking for a low-crime, family-oriented, friendly, bible-belt, and peaceful sort of area with a population between 100k and 250k. Not a suburb of a bigger city, but a city unto itself. We need something with modern hospitals and services and decent wages, but without the extremes of the big cities. We're looking for a place where being hard-working, honest, and fundamentally decent doesn't put you in the minority.

We've been looking in different areas and two places we've come across that seem to fit this criteria are Lincoln, NE, and Springfield, MO. Both seem like nice cities.

What we wanted to know is which the better city to live in? Which has lower crime, better opportunities, better housing prices, etc... What are each city's good points and bad points? What are the differences and which would you live in if you had a choice?

Also, are there any other cities you would suggest that might fit what we're looking for?

Any suggestions, advice, or ideas are greatly appreciated. We just want to find someplace to live in that's like the way America used to be.

My first question has to be: what do you do for a living and do you think it will be hard for you to get a job no matter where you live?

Answer that and you will be on your way. Both places you are considering are nice, MO is probably prettier and has slightly more mild winters, Lincoln is a great place. Both cities are fairly conservative.

Because of where we live, let me throw one in another area, it is NWA. Every time I drive our country roads I say to myself "America, here you are" We have the best of both worlds: rural living but only a short drive to the conveniences we all are used to having. We have green fields, lots of trees, many churches without the push to repent or die a sinner. Bentonville is the center for Wal-Mart as well as Hunt trucking. Springdale the headquarters for Tysons chicken plus the university is only 45 minutes from where we live and we do have the MO border about 10 minutes away. Our winters are mild, the summers a bit humid but short lived and spring is a picture of perfection. We have mountains, lots of lakes for boating and fishing and lots of small towns with a mixture of midwest and southern charm.

In case you didn't already know, I love NWA. We have been here 11 months 3 weeks and 28 days.

Nita

[GotClues]

Thank you very much for your replies. I'd like to know if anyone can add any more specifics about the differences. Which has more crime? Drugs? Illegals? Which is growing in a more positive manner (families coming in, rather than gangs and illegals)? What's the quality of the colleges offered? Medical care? Taxes and cost of living? I have all types of skills, including running my own small business, what's the economy like? Anything, even little observations, are appreciated.

Also, suggestions of nice suburbs (or other cities) are welcome too. In retrospect, I think those may also work for us.

Thank you very much.

[justmiinNE]

Nita, you left out the best part of Bella Vista.... GOLF everywhere, and cheep too.

[jm31828]

I would mention, Lincoln is not bible belt- that would be more of the eastern Oklahoma, eastern Texas, through Arkansas area. Big difference in that regard, though there are plenty of screw-ball conservatives here.

[Harpoon]

Choose Lincoln over Springfield any day of the week. Springfield is a bit more bible belt and hillbillyish, although Lincoln is still fairly conservative. Not really a lot of crime in Lincoln. The City revolves around the University and you can't go anywhere without seeing a stupid cornhusker shirt.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by GotClues

Thank you very much for your replies. I'd like to know if anyone can add any more specifics about the differences. Which has more crime? Drugs? Illegals? Which is growing in a more positive manner (families coming in, rather than gangs and illegals)? What's the quality of the colleges offered? Medical care? Taxes and cost of living? I have all types of skills, including running my own small business, what's the economy like? Anything, even little observations, are appreciated.

Also, suggestions of nice suburbs (or other cities) are welcome too. In retrospect, I think those may also work for us.

Thank you very much.

I am not sure I can give you a truely acturate answer but both have low crime and drug problems. I think unless football is important (well that isn't true either) MO has great colleges, is more convenient to lots of places and is growing in a positive way, but this isn't saying NE isn't. I don't know about illegals in NE, not many in MO. The tax structure in Mo is very good..I know this is about a week old, but thought I would throw my ideas in.

Nita