I like Missouri but my wife has doubts (Springfield, Columbia: rent, local)

[kshe95girl]

welcome to the forum migtymo!

[Lake Junkie]

Originally Posted by migtyMo

This is a nice forum, I had to register to give my two cents on my home-area. My story is I'm from sw mo originally. Joined the military and lived all over. Now I live in KC Mo and I have to say the sw mo is nicest place I've lived.

I have a coworker here in KC who went fishing on a friends property well north of Springfield. He knew I was from the area and this is what he said: "It was the most peaceful place I've ever been in my life." His comment took me a bit a by surprise. Since I grew up there I guess I supposed that everyone had experienced that type of isolation.

The other defining thing about the Ozarks in my opinion is: the people are polite. You don't see that very often nowadays. Certainly not on the coasts from my experience.

I totally agree. And to you, I'll say welcome to this forum, thanks for your military service, and here's a couple of rep points for the positive, kind words!

[gaia227]

Hello - I was born and raised in Springfield and lived there until I was 25 when I moved to New York City, where I still am.
It sounds like maybe your wife and I have similar....perspectives on things so I thought maybe I could be of some help.


1. She thinks Springfield is flat. (she loves hiking and skiing in mountains)
Springfield is not flat but it certainly isn't the Sierra's either. You are only 1 hour away from the Ozark mountains(hills more like it). One hour and a half you can be at the Buffalo River National Park in Arkansas which is one of my favorite places ever. It is beautiful and offers great hiking and canoeing - check out the Hemmed-in-Hollow Trail. Busik Park on the way to Branson offers some good hiking and is only about 30 minutes out. You are within two hours of Lake of the Ozarks, Ha Ha Tonka(good hiking), Tablerock Lake. There really is a lot of outdoors stuff to do in the Springfield area.
2. She thinks Springfield is woodsy (small trees) but not foresty (she loves the BIG pine trees of the forest, like Big Bear California).
She's right.
3. She thinks there will be a large percentage of closed-minded redneck toothless hillbillies.
Right again. You are in the bible belt. Get used to Jesus is my Savior coupled with NRA and Bush stickers. People in this area tend to be ignorant and there are a lot of rednecks who are closed minded and conservative. If it doesn't say it in the bible it ain't true. My mother teaches Anthropology at one of the colleges there and most of her students don't believe her. They refuse to believe that humans evolved. To be perfectly honest with you - this is why I moved to NYC. I am an open-minded, liberal, non-christian person and I felt stunted living in Springfield. It probably isn't as bad as she is thinking it is and I am being a little dramatic. There is a balance. It isn't all rednecks. They are not hillbillys - there is a difference between a hillbilly and a redneck. IMO rednecks dwell in more urban environments so they can be harder to spot until they start talking.
To be fair - it is a college town, home to MSU and Drury - just to name to two big schools so there is a lot of younger people who lend themselves to a more liberal feel. The downtown area of Springfield has really evolved in the past ten years with coffee shops, bookstores, museums, bars, etc.
But still.....there are a lot of rednecks especially when you get into the surrounding towns - Marshfield, Aurora, Monet, etc. But I am not going to lie to you - there are a lot of rednecks.
4. She thinks I'll develop an accent after a couple years of living there.
I lived there my whole life and don't have an accent
5. She thinks everyone there is a baptist and that we won't find a normal liberal church. Not a church full of liberals, but one like we have here where the worship music sounds like rock 'n roll and you can wear jeans to church.
I am not religious but I know there are some liberal churches. South Street church is where my dad goes. The pastor is controversial because he invites homosexuals to attend service and because he is a well known liberal. He was also instrumental in getting the KKK to stop using Springfield as their national meeting place for their yearly get together. There is also the Unitarian Universalist church.
6. She thinks Springfield won't have our type of favorite stores and restaurants, like Trader Joe's or Whole Foods Market, Sam's Club, Ethnic markets like Vallarta (Mexican Supermarket) or a nice Asian Market, and ethnic restaurants like good mexican, asian, italian places. Not chains, but real authentic stuff.
Kinda true. There are not any Trader Joes or Whole Foods. I had never even heard of them until I moved. There is a Sam's club. There are a ton of chain restaraunts but there are also a lot of small, good, locally owned restaraunts too. That is one thing I can say about Springfield they have a wide variety of dining places. As far as markets there are a few Asian, Mexican, etc markets but they are few and far between but they are there.
There is a Mama Jeans health food store on Campbell and an Akins Food on Battlefield.

Restaraunt Suggestions - All locally owned and operated:
Gilardi's on Walnut Street. Own by Nicola Gilardi. Italian, Upscale, expensive, very, very, good food.
Nonna's Main Cafe - downtown on South Street. Casual. Meditterean, Italian. Good for Lunch
Bijan's - mostly seafood, dinner place, expensive, excellent food
Nakato - sushi/Japanese
Antons - Best Breakfast Ever - Glenstone Ave - very casual
Clary's - expensive - been around for twenty some years - their tuna nachos are to dye for and no, it is not what you are thinking.
Rasta Grill - downtown Walnut Street - Casual - I love their food - Jamaican/Pasta/Very well spiced
Gallery Bistro - very nice, expensive, normal expensive rest. food - seafood, steak, salmon,etc
Avanzare - Glenstone Ave. Wonderful Italian food. Try the beet salad.
Agrario's - Patton Street, downtown. Great Sunday Brunch - eggs benedict with a pan seared scallops. Yummy!
Haruno - Sushi, very hip/trendy place, great sushi
Mudhouse - nice coffee house downtown, South St. Great Coffee blends.
Marias - Mexican, Downtown South Street
Celito Lindo - Mexican, very authentic
Mexican Villa - a Springfield favorite - NOT authentic at all but it is a guilty pleasure
Caspers - OMG, love this place. Chili House, been around for thirty-forty years, Tiny, only open Spring/Summer, hard to get a seat during lunch, very eclectic decorations... Another guilty pleasure.
Al Rubai - middle eastern

Hope this is useful. Feel Free to PM me if you have any q's. I know Springfield inside and out. Sorry if I offended anyone.

[OnOurWay2MO]

Originally Posted by gaia227

Sorry if I offended anyone.

One can only be offended if they allow themselves to be. I will be happy to join the ignorant conservative rednecks, (as you call them). Birds of a feather flock together, glad you found your nest

[GregoryS]

Originally Posted by gaia227

Hello - I was born and raised in Springfield and lived there until I was 25 when I moved to New York City, where I still am.
It sounds like maybe your wife and I have similar....perspectives on things so I thought maybe I could be of some help.


1. She thinks Springfield is flat. (she loves hiking and skiing in mountains)
Springfield is not flat but it certainly isn't the Sierra's either. You are only 1 hour away from the Ozark mountains(hills more like it). One hour and a half you can be at the Buffalo River National Park in Arkansas which is one of my favorite places ever. It is beautiful and offers great hiking and canoeing - check out the Hemmed-in-Hollow Trail. Busik Park on the way to Branson offers some good hiking and is only about 30 minutes out. You are within two hours of Lake of the Ozarks, Ha Ha Tonka(good hiking), Tablerock Lake. There really is a lot of outdoors stuff to do in the Springfield area.
2. She thinks Springfield is woodsy (small trees) but not foresty (she loves the BIG pine trees of the forest, like Big Bear California).
She's right.
3. She thinks there will be a large percentage of closed-minded redneck toothless hillbillies.
Right again. You are in the bible belt. Get used to Jesus is my Savior coupled with NRA and Bush stickers. People in this area tend to be ignorant and there are a lot of rednecks who are closed minded and conservative. If it doesn't say it in the bible it ain't true. My mother teaches Anthropology at one of the colleges there and most of her students don't believe her. They refuse to believe that humans evolved. To be perfectly honest with you - this is why I moved to NYC. I am an open-minded, liberal, non-christian person and I felt stunted living in Springfield. It probably isn't as bad as she is thinking it is and I am being a little dramatic. There is a balance. It isn't all rednecks. They are not hillbillys - there is a difference between a hillbilly and a redneck. IMO rednecks dwell in more urban environments so they can be harder to spot until they start talking.
To be fair - it is a college town, home to MSU and Drury - just to name to two big schools so there is a lot of younger people who lend themselves to a more liberal feel. The downtown area of Springfield has really evolved in the past ten years with coffee shops, bookstores, museums, bars, etc.
But still.....there are a lot of rednecks especially when you get into the surrounding towns - Marshfield, Aurora, Monet, etc. But I am not going to lie to you - there are a lot of rednecks.
4. She thinks I'll develop an accent after a couple years of living there.
I lived there my whole life and don't have an accent
5. She thinks everyone there is a baptist and that we won't find a normal liberal church. Not a church full of liberals, but one like we have here where the worship music sounds like rock 'n roll and you can wear jeans to church.
I am not religious but I know there are some liberal churches. South Street church is where my dad goes. The pastor is controversial because he invites homosexuals to attend service and because he is a well known liberal. He was also instrumental in getting the KKK to stop using Springfield as their national meeting place for their yearly get together. There is also the Unitarian Universalist church.
6. She thinks Springfield won't have our type of favorite stores and restaurants, like Trader Joe's or Whole Foods Market, Sam's Club, Ethnic markets like Vallarta (Mexican Supermarket) or a nice Asian Market, and ethnic restaurants like good mexican, asian, italian places. Not chains, but real authentic stuff.
Kinda true. There are not any Trader Joes or Whole Foods. I had never even heard of them until I moved. There is a Sam's club. There are a ton of chain restaraunts but there are also a lot of small, good, locally owned restaraunts too. That is one thing I can say about Springfield they have a wide variety of dining places. As far as markets there are a few Asian, Mexican, etc markets but they are few and far between but they are there.
There is a Mama Jeans health food store on Campbell and an Akins Food on Battlefield.

Restaraunt Suggestions - All locally owned and operated:
Gilardi's on Walnut Street. Own by Nicola Gilardi. Italian, Upscale, expensive, very, very, good food.
Nonna's Main Cafe - downtown on South Street. Casual. Meditterean, Italian. Good for Lunch
Bijan's - mostly seafood, dinner place, expensive, excellent food
Nakato - sushi/Japanese
Antons - Best Breakfast Ever - Glenstone Ave - very casual
Clary's - expensive - been around for twenty some years - their tuna nachos are to dye for and no, it is not what you are thinking.
Rasta Grill - downtown Walnut Street - Casual - I love their food - Jamaican/Pasta/Very well spiced
Gallery Bistro - very nice, expensive, normal expensive rest. food - seafood, steak, salmon,etc
Avanzare - Glenstone Ave. Wonderful Italian food. Try the beet salad.
Agrario's - Patton Street, downtown. Great Sunday Brunch - eggs benedict with a pan seared scallops. Yummy!
Haruno - Sushi, very hip/trendy place, great sushi
Mudhouse - nice coffee house downtown, South St. Great Coffee blends.
Marias - Mexican, Downtown South Street
Celito Lindo - Mexican, very authentic
Mexican Villa - a Springfield favorite - NOT authentic at all but it is a guilty pleasure
Caspers - OMG, love this place. Chili House, been around for thirty-forty years, Tiny, only open Spring/Summer, hard to get a seat during lunch, very eclectic decorations... Another guilty pleasure.
Al Rubai - middle eastern

Hope this is useful. Feel Free to PM me if you have any q's. I know Springfield inside and out. Sorry if I offended anyone.

Wow you have a wealth of information there that is so helpful to people like me who are trying to get an idea of what life is really like there without living there lol... Some of the things you talk about seem close to what my perception is of that area. Some of the things I just go wow...I didn't realize that... I think what is important also is how do the people who live there react to people(say people who have re-located there)... when they have some different ideas. It must be hard to live somewhere all of your life and then have people move in that don't quite fit your perception of normality. In reality, that diversity is probably the best thing that could happen there but there will always be those who oppose change of any kind...I have some lively discussions with my cousin who is a life-long native of Springfield lol. If I moved there I'm sure I would have to watch what I say lol....in New Orleans we are not used to that at all....to which I bet those "conservative" people in Springfield you talk about would say...well in that case...stay in New Orleans lol....I sense that you still have a love for the area.....it's just too conservative for ya......I get ya on that...thanks for your observations

[sunshine girl]

The lack of diversity (cultural as well as racial), the Baptist majority, and the deep rooted resistance to change is precisely the reason many DO want to relocate here. Throw in the natural beauty, the low housing costs, "mild" four seasons, and good rated schools and you have the perfect place for many folks. It can be a bit difficult to penetrate the established circles here of those who have "always" lived here, as they have no need for outsiders, but not impossible, given time. It can be, as native gaia says, a bit stunting living here. It has not felt like a live and let live place, but more like live and be judged kind of place. Acceptance has too many strings attached for us, and we will be moving on. We are the minority though, most folks fall in love with all the area has to offer to them. Good luck with your research and your move wherever that may lead you.

[GregoryS]

Originally Posted by sunshine girl

Good luck with your research and your move wherever that may lead you.

And thanks always to those of you willing to relate your thoughts and stories...That is what makes the CD forum such a valuable tool for that research...

[SGFNative]

I was born, raised, and still live in Springfield, so perhaps I can help you out. I’m obviously not the first person to reply, so forgive me if I repeat something someone else said.

1. She thinks Springfield is flat. (she loves hiking and skiing in mountains)
Flat? No. The Ozarks are no mountains, but definitely not flat. Rolling hills, and bluffs are abundant. Springfield sits on the Ozark plateau, but big hills can be found in most directions, especially south toward Arkansas. Finding a gorgeous place to hike shouldn’t be a problem. Skiing, on the other hand can’t be found for hundreds of miles.

2. She thinks Springfield is woodsy (small trees) but not foresty (she loves the BIG pine trees of the forest, like Big Bear California).

Dense woods can be found all around Springfield. We obviously don’t have large pines, but the local topography is pretty diverse. Beautiful rivers, lakes, and streams can be found everywhere around here.

3. She thinks there will be a large percentage of closed-minded redneck toothless hillbillies.

Most people think anyone who doesn’t feel the same way they do is “closed-minded.” It’s all about perception. Few rednecks live in Springfield. Springfield is very urban compared to the outlying areas. Drive just 15 minutes in any direction and you’ll find plenty of rednecks. Whether or not you find them “ignorant” is a personal judgment. Diversity is slim, and political values are decidedly conservative, primarily based on religion and moral values.

4. She thinks I'll develop an accent after a couple years of living there.

Absolutely not. Springfieldians have no accent. I’m not making that up, either. I’ve been told by people from all over the country that I have no discernable accent, mainly because it surprised them. The vast majority of Springfieldians talk the way I do. Again, drive 15 to 20 minutes in any direction into the rural areas of Missouri and you definitely WILL find a rather country accent.


5. She thinks everyone there is a baptist and that we won't find a normal liberal church. Not a church full of liberals, but one like we have here where the worship music sounds like rock 'n roll and you can wear jeans to church.

Yes, Southwest Missouri is in the bible belt, and Southern Baptists are the norm. That doesn’t mean that’s all there is. As has been mentioned, there are several large churches in the area that are non-denominational or pentacostal. There are also plenty of people who don’t go to church at all. Many Southern Baptist churches have become very lax in the last few years when it comes to dress, music, etc. Try one of the bigger Baptist churches (Second Baptist, for instance) and you’ll see what I mean.

6. She thinks Springfield won't have our type of favorite stores and restaurants, like Trader Joe's or Whole Foods Market, Sam's Club, Ethnic markets like Vallarta (Mexican Supermarket) or a nice Asian Market, and ethnic restaurants like good mexican, asian, italian places. Not chains, but real authentic stuff.

Can’t lie to you here, you will not find Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods Market, or probably anything similar. There is one Sam’s Club in Springfield, and soon to be a second. As far as ethnic markets, there are decent number. I don’t know how good they are because I’ve never been to any of them. Mexican and Asian markets aren’t too hard to find. As far as restaurant’s go, Springfield at one time (and maybe still does) had the most restaurants per capita of any city in the United States. People in Springfield love to eat out. You’ll find pretty any chain that operates in the Midwest, as well as an increasing number of local restaurants (particularly downtown) encompassing every genre. Springfield is the birthplace of cashew chicken, and a Chinese restaurant can be found on practically every block.

As far as shopping goes, you won’t need to leave town for anything unless you like to shop at extremely upscale stores like Neiman Marcus. For that you’ll have to travel to KC or STL. Otherwise, the mall has everything you’ll find in any decently sized city, and specialty shops are prevalent as well.

Springfield gets a rap as a small town, but by most standards it is not. It is a moderate size city with a small town feel. The Springfield metro has more than 400,000 residents, with about 150,000 of those living within the city limits. The city is home to one large university (Missouri State University, enrollment of approx 20,000) and several small colleges (Drury University, Evangel University Ozarks Technical Comm. College, Baptist Bible College, Central Bible College, etc.)

As far as sports are concerned, there is minor league baseball (AA Springfield Cardinals), NCAA D-1 athletics (Missouri State), smaller college athletics, and high school basketball is pretty popular here. Fishing opportunities are everywhere. Table Rock Lake near Branson is famous for it’s bass fishing, as well as a great place for watersports. Golf is relatively popular, but good public courses are minimal (Rivercut is a great public course, but the rest are very, very average.

Entertainment is about what you would expect. A few nightclubs, a few movie theaters, not a lot of live entertainment in Springfield. Branson is only a 30-45 minute drive away, so there are a lot of entertainment options down there, primarily of the country music variety.

Travel in and out of Springfield is pretty easy. The airport is growing in terms of both options and popularity. Flights are slightly more expensive, but to me it’s better than driving 3-4 hours to a bigger city to fly out of. Non-stop flight destinations include Denver, Dallas, Chicago, St. Louis, Las Vegas, Orlando, Detroit, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Memphis, Minneapolis, Cincinnatti, and perhaps one or two that I missed. St. Louis is a 3.5 hour drive, Kansas City a 3 hour drive, and Tulsa is between 2.5 and 3 hours away.

If I missed something that you want to know about let me know. Otherwise, I’d say bring your wife to the area and let her judge for herself. It’s a good place to live, as evidenced by large numbers of people from both coasts who are moving here every year. I have three sets of neighbors on my street who moved here from California.

Good luck!

[apryl8]

You wrote --
1. She thinks Springfield is flat. (she loves hiking and skiing in mountains)
I don't know much about Springfield, but Columbia has many hiking trails, parks, and it certainly doesn't seem flat to me as everyone seems to always be looking for flat yards when looking for home.

2. She thinks Springfield is woodsy (small trees) but not foresty (she loves the BIG pine trees of the forest, like Big Bear California).
Yes we don't have the big pines, she might be right about woodsy, but a great view in the fall.

3. She thinks there will be a large percentage of closed-minded redneck toothless hillbillies.
Again don't know about Springfield, but Columbia was recently rated I believe the 11th smartest city by Forbes magazine. Along with the highly educated population there Boone County where Columbia sits is considered very balanced between liberals and conservatives.

4. She thinks I'll develop an accent after a couple years of living there.
That depends, everytime I visit my family in southern Indiana I develop the Kentucky accent. With such a diverse population though it's unlikely.

5. She thinks everyone there is a baptist and that we won't find a normal liberal church. Not a church full of liberals, but one like we have here where the worship music sounds like rock 'n roll and you can wear jeans to church.
Again don't know about Springfield, but there is a church here called Woodcrest which has a ROCKIN' jams session. Here we have 3 Catholic Churchs, and Islamic Mosque, lots of Methodist, Baptists, Non-denomional, I think a Scientology Institute, a Jewish temple, a couple of Mormon churches, Lutheruns, you get the picture.

6. She thinks Springfield won't have our type of favorite stores and restaurants, like Trader Joe's or Whole Foods Market, Sam's Club, Ethnic markets like Vallarta (Mexican Supermarket) or a nice Asian Market, and ethnic restaurants like good mexican, asian, italian places. Not chains, but real authentic stuff.
Again for Columbia, We have Sam's Club, there are several ethinic markets, a World Foods -- which sells various ethinic foods, Taj emporium selling mosting Indian foods, an Asian market downtown, and a mideast market. Authentic Mexican, Indian restaurants.

I hope you aren't offended by this, I know she has some negative stereotypes but I think a large part of it is that she's looking for negatives because she wants Colorado Springs instead. I just want to get the facts from people who live there so we can at least make our decision with a more open-minded outlook.

I just mention Columbia, because I know that it's a short drive 2 to 2 1/2 hours to Springfield and a 6 hr drive on I-70 to Colorado.

Hope this was a bit helpful.

April

[la_missourienne]

OP, your wife's thoughts are pretty much on track. I lived in Springfield for about 8 years (up to 2003) and here is what I would say:
1. Springfield, the city is mostly, but not entirely flat. The surrounding area is very hilly, but not mountains. If she loves the mountains that much, you'd beest live nearer to them b/c she will be miserable.
---side note from pp: 6 hours Columbia to CO? How fast are you driving?! Even just to get to the border and driving slightly over the limit takes at least 7 to 8 hours, no stops! If you (op) end up in Springfield (b/c Columbia is a whole other story), to reach the Rockies in CO, it will take you (or her) at least a good 12 hours...not exactly next door.
All that being said, if you end up in SGF, her best bet to get a 'quick pseudo mountain fix' would be hiking in Arkansas, which is about 3-4 hours away and does have very beautiful places (but the Rockies/mountains it ISN'T).

2. Springfield is not big time woodsy, this is true.

3. Large percentage of close-minded redneck toothless hillbillies: close-minded, absolutely. Rednecks, some. Toothless--this made me laugh. Many great dentists in SGF and surrounding area, toothless folks are not exactly common place. Hillbillies--depends on your definition, we'll lever that one alone.

4. Develop an accent? You had better if you want to be treated like "one of the locals". I took on an accent one night in my waitressing career there as somewhat of an experiment and made far better tips (just an example). Prior to that, with my slightly northern accent from being raised in IA, combined with my French accent from my studies, I got a lot of "Wher'r yew frem" snarls...does that tell you anything? I kept the accent, which became sort of ingrained after a while, though I don't think I ever went full-board. Expect to have an accent, but it's not like it's a disease, you can lose it quite easily.

5. Churches--yes, there are many baptists, but not all of them are. Baptists are very aggressive in recruiting members, though, do be aware. Lots of churches where you can wear jeans in many denominations, though I don't know much about the rock n roll style music thing. All this being said, non-denom churchgoers are not looked upon or accepted very easily in SGF (and most all of SoMO I've ever been), so I understand her apprehension.

6. Stores and restaurants--stores, she is right on. Restaurants, there are many nice local ones (not all of them are downtown, either) and plenty of cuisine varieties, but nothing too 'exotic'--have to head to KC or STL for such fares (which is rather easily do-able). There are some specialty food markets, but the selection is somewhat limited.

Best of luck to you on making this decision. It is easy to see arguments both ways, but I'd vote for CO based on what you've said about your wife.