Tell me the bad (St. Louis, Springfield: how much, house, school)

[TornadoAlley]

Originally Posted by gayleinAZ

Pam,

I'm also from Phx and hoping to move to MO by Jan or Feb at the latest next year. I hate AZ more with every breath I take. Like you I'm not from here so I've never found the charm or beauty of desert living. I guess if your a local you don't know any better.. BUT I digress.

I've been looking for about 5 years for a place to relocate, once I figured out the AZ will eventually revert back to Mexico and we will all be required to speak spanish to get a job. I've checked out several other states and just fell head over heals with MO. It's everything I ever wanted in a state. I've been to St. Joe's twice already and next month I'm meeting a friend in MO and we are going to do some exploring around the Columbia / Jefferson City area and head to the wine region. If you'd like to see pics of where I've been so far I'd be glad to hook you up with the one's I've posted on Yahoo and I can send you the new one's when I get back. I'm slowly working my way DOWN the state and covering all my bases because when I leave AZ that will be it. I'm never coming back and I want to make sure I find a place I can retire / start a small business in and die in! I've already lived in HELL 40+ years I refuse to be buried here. Good luck in your quest as well.

Can you send me some pictures too?

[heaton]

I can relate to your feelings about AZ. I moved here 21 years ago and back then it was nice. NOW, it's just becoming California and I can't wait to leave. I would love to see your pictures. I haven't been to MO but we are planning a family trip in June to check it out. We have three more year before my husband retires, and it will be a long three years.
My e-mail is: pameaton@cox.net
Thanks,

[hester201]

Seasonal allergy sufferers may not enjoy Missouri's beautiful seasons as much as I do.

Pockets of racism and sexism.

It's hard to get fresh seafood, but plenty of catfish.

We're a red state.

Highway surfaces could use some repair.

Fashion (and other) trends are passe by the time they get to us.

Humidity. You'll get *very* tired of hearing "It ain't the heat, it's the humidity." (even though it's true)

But I like it. I'm in Columbia. Like so many others, I came to school here 30 years ago and never left. Great place to raise kids.
BTW- the Cajun place on 9th (Glenn's) closed a couple of years ago. And the Mexican place (Los Bandidos) also closed. Can't go wrong with Booches burgers or Shakespeares Pizza.

[Ozarks21]

Glenn's closed?! That is a major loss in my opinion. Have there been other higher end restaurants move into down town? That seems to be one area that Columbia was lacking in when I was there.

[kat_kies]

i currently live in steele i moved here from michigan and glad i did affordable living, good paying job,friendly neighbors, and a little travel time gives you plenty to do on the weekends. We adjusted to the weather quickly and it may be a small town but thats a good thing.

[MO~orphan]

I remember March 12, 2006. We had driven to near Springfield to meet my son from Tulsa. We do that...meet half way for a day. On the way home....I was traveling north through the middle of the state, I could see the massive cloud formation to the west. It moved north right along with me for a couple hours. I have a picture of it. It was shaped like a giant mushroom. Later that day/night an F-4 ripped through Monroe City in the northern part of the state. I graduated high school there. Among the destruction was the old brick church where my son started Sunday school was ripped apart. It stood from 1899 to 2006. It's gone now. I cried when I saw it. Or didn't see it. The town is still recovering. No one was killed. What a miracle. And I still won't leave Missouri. We haven't had our 'big one' earth quake yet

[Versatile]

Missouri is a fantastic state! When you go on vaction to the east coast or the west you are almost halfway there.

[MO~orphan]

lol @ half way there.

If you come to Missouri you might be a little put off by seeing people actually spank naughty children in public.

You might be surprised to hear a neighbor yell at a kid that is not there own, to get the h*** out of the street so they don't get smooshed like a bug.

You might be disappointed at the number of beautiful harmless garden variety snakes that take up residence in your flower beds.

You might be apalled at all the wasted land that we call "nature" and "beauty."

You might be shocked if a neighbor knocks on your door and proudly hands you a fresh dead turkey, and expects you to be excited about cleaning and cooking it.

You might be put off if someone rolls their eyes because you refer the the Mississippi River as just "the river." The River is the Missouri River. The Mississippi River is the Mississippi.

Capital Punishment. It's here. We use it. Get over it.

Local cops LIKE to be called Barney. It's not an insult.

History....it's everywhere...you'll hear it more times than you can count.

Beer.

Welcome to Missouri.

[MO~orphan]

85 Degrees yesterday, snow? tomorrow?

[GraphicQueen]

Hester201, you are right on with your description of the state. There are people who refuse to tell the absolute truth when it comes to the state. I love Missouri and was raised there but there are pockets of racism and sexism all over the state. There is just much more good that outweighs the bad in the state in my opinion. The one thing I miss so much is actually being able to buy fruit and veggies from raodside vendors. The fresh fruit and veggies from Missouri can not be beat. And the catfish is the greatest. I miss the fish fries that all of the time throughout the state. I like NM but I really do miss the trees and the lush greenery everywhere of Missouri. But there is a lot ot be thankful for in NM and it definitely has its own beauty.

I think what has been posted here pretty well sums up the state of Missouri. I just wish people would have the guts to say the bad with the good of anytthing like hester201 did. Some people refuse to tell anyone that the state has nothing but good things and people, when of course any thinking person knows better.

GQ