Moving to Springfield, MO and now I'm getting scared! (St. Joseph: tornadoes, insurance)

[Noodle]

Originally Posted by Ozarks21

Frankly, I hope we do not become an attractive area to people who are too weak physically to handle diverse weather, too weak spiritually to handle our "churchiness" and too weak mentally to appreciate conservative/libertarian reasoning.

I really do not want to become a destination for anti-gun, anti-Christian, anti-hunting, anti-NASCAR (though I'm no fan), anti-country music, or anti-personal liberty coasters. I want to be a destination for east and west coasters who are fed up with that BS in their states.

We are good ol' boys dammit. We pray, we open doors for women, we run chainsaws (especially recently), we shoot guns for fun, we kill our own food, and we drive four wheel drive trucks. We are also scientists, lawyers, builders, realtors, physicians, tech pros, artists and restauranteurs.

We have a thriving downtown that just keeps getting better. We have great schools and colleges. We have excellent food and entertainment. I feel safe wherever I go. This is a great place to live and we don't need folks moving in showing us a "better" way.

Amen Bruddah. Sounds like what America used to be. I doubt we'll ever make it back.

[c3bunny]

I have lots of family in Indiana and Illinois. I also have some family in Mississippi, they agree that the old ways are the better ways. I remember when I was really young (age 2-7) and I lived on a farm in Plymouth, Indiana. I remember those times well as they were probably the best times of my life as a kid. I want my children to have a feeling of what it's like to live in the country setting where the people are real (not phonies) and will lend a helping hand to their neighbors when needed. Oh, and I think it's great when a man will open a door for a woman, knows how to shoot a gun, drives four wheel drive trucks and has the ability to live off of the land.

[Darren Stewart]

Thanks for your kind words MoMark and Garth,
I am glad you made it through the storm ok Mark, while its been a struggle for some more than others, this storm really did provide an opportunity for the people of this area to really shine.

As the Springfield Chamber is so fond of saying " Everywhere should be like this"

[elfyum]

Guys - me thinks that was a troll... (Why would you be moving to an area & then attack in in 4 long winded posts & then not post anymore...? Doesn't make sense to me...)

[northbayeric]

You guys are a real inspiration to me here in Santa Rosa, CA! My wife and I are planning on moving to or near St. Joseph in Spring 2008, and hope we can act as the same beacon of light as you are when times get tough, such as in coping with the major ice storm you've endured.

A quick story: In May 2003 I had the opportunity to come back and visit Missouri after having been away for about 15 years (I was born and raised near St. Louis and moved to Santa Rosa in 1986). One of the things that really placed a desire in my heart to move back to Missouri was my fun experience at Fantastic Caverns. I was the only one on the tour; and the tour guide, an older gentleman in, I'd say his early to mid-60s, really gave me VIP treatment. He seemed like the kind of guy who wouldn't hesitate to open the door for a woman. It was like going back to an earlier, simpler time for me. That kind of behavior is in very short supply in much of the coastal areas of northern California!

One year later, I took my wife back to St. Louis and eastern MO for her first visit there; she fell in love with it instantly. Last May we traveled back there again, visiting Cape Girardeau, Bollinger Mill (with its lovely covered bridge!), Ft. Davidson State Park, Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Onondaga Cave and many other great places. It's God's country back there, not because you have year-round perfect weather, but you do have natural beauty most Californians have no concept of; and when the weather gets really bad, you guys help each other out at the neighborhood level long before you groan and moan about Washington not doing enough. And it seems like you can really see the face of Jesus in your neighbors as they clear up the damage from the ice storm and help out in other ways.

My wife and I feel God's leading us to the St. Joseph area. I know when we get settled there, we're going to enjoy visiting Springfield and the western Ozarks a lot; and I'll remember what you've shared in your posts here. May you have more favorable weather during the rest of this winter season and into the spring!

[northbayeric]

Agreed, Elfyum! From what I've read about the city of Springfield, it seems that crime is hardly a factor at all from Sunshine St. south, as well as from Highway 65 eastward (65809 zip code).

Though not mentioned in my previous post, Missouri in general and the Springfield area in particular (based on my short time I spent in Springfield in April 2003) is so much more affordable than California. If you visit a state or county park anywhere in California, expect to pay an admission fee. Not so in Missouri--and the scenery around Ha Ha Tonka State Park in Camdenton is wonderful! Such greenery. We have taller mountains here, but the coastal regions are green only from late February to late April. Then it turns brown for the entire rest of the year, with extreme fire danger. It just doesn't rain at all for 5 to 6 months at a time during late spring--early fall. I guess the old saying that beauty is in the eye of the beholder holds true once again.

Gas and diesel prices are about 60 cents per gallon higher in CA than in MO. And I haven't even mentioned real estate prices! I would say to anyone reading this forum string that the troll who started this string probably would find fault with any place he/she visits or tries to live, and shouldn't dissuade you from visiting Springfield--unless you're an incorrigible card-carrying ACLU member or total MoveOn.org type.

[washinton native]

you shoulda moved to joplin.

[Ozarks21]

On the crime issue, it was just reported that murders in Springfield are up 20%

That is 6 murders compared to 5 the year before.

Statewide the number of meth lab busts is down 40%. However, Missouri is still number 1 in meth busts. The tougher laws on pseudoephedrine sales have made a difference.

[JessGS428]

My goodness... Y'all are harsh! I have lived in this town for 20 years and LOVE it! My husband has to relocate next year and we are both dreading finding another home.

Crime: Live south of Sunshine and you will be fine! Again, we have lived here for 20 years and the worst thing that has ever happened was one year on Halloween we got some eggs thrown at our house. However, when I would go to work on the north side of town (Kearney and Kansas), our cars were being broken into on a regular basis. Just be selective when it comes to picking your neightborhood.
About the rapes and thefts and what not... Keep in mind that there are 3 big name colleges in Springfield: Evangel, Drury, and MSU. Most students at all of these live on campus and at MSU and Drury there are the typical Frat house type environments. This accounts for a large amount of the rapes.

Gangs: That info is just a bit outdated. My father worked for Special Operations for the Federal Government and specialized in gang activity. Even though he was stationed here in springfield, most of his work involved leaving the area and going to St. Louis, Kansas City, or Arkansas. The gangs in this area are under control and other than a little graphitti now and then (which gets cleaned up promptly), those of us that live here don't even give it a second thought.

"Popular in Springfield:" There is definately much more to do here than Nascar and Bass Pro. There is shopping, movies, great concerts, ice skating, rock climbing arenas... lots to do.

Job situation here is just fine. I have never had a hard time finding a job, and even my college job paid $10.50 per hour.

Traffic: Not near as bad as other places. You can get from one end of town to the other in 25 minutes flat... 30-45 during rush hour. Yes, the city is set up like a grid, but at times that proves to be very convenient because you have dozens options for alternate routes if you see that the road you are on is congested.

As far as cable goes... Yes, mediacom does have control, but there are also satellite tv companies that are very reasonable. Plus, mediacom will give significant discounts if you also subscribe to their phone and internet. In my opinion, digital cable with movie channels plus high speed cable internet plus phone service with all the extras including unlimited long distance for $90 per month is nothing to complain about.

Weather: This will take some getting used to. It is not uncommon to run your air and your heat in the same week-- if not the same day. Yes, it can be miserably humid in the summer and bitterly cold in the winter. However, it is rare that it gets into the negative digits. Single digits and teens usually are the lowest that we go. Typically upper 90's in the summer, a few days over 100.

Tornados: Unlike floods, hurricanes, or earthquakes, tornados stay on a direct path. Basically, a whole area will not be destroyed due to a tornado. It isn't uncommon for one side of a street to be demolished and another side just have a few broken branches. Again 20 years here, never more than a messed up backyard.

Other assorted complaints: If you live in town, you won't have a problem with ticks, chiggers, or any of the many types of snakes or spiders mentioned. That is if you live in one of the more "farmish" areas outside of springfield. Live in town, you'll be fine. There is plently to do here.. although you may get bored if you are from a huge city. If you're wanting a big city lifestyle, look elsewhere, because we are not a hustly-bustly place.

And lastly... We are quite polite here. We are not a group of backwoods rednecks. If you look for them... yes, you will find them. But not in town. Go to Chadwick, Bradlyville, Niangua, Rogersville... but not in springfield.

[c3bunny]

My guess would be that this person with the four long posts won't be moving to Missouri anytime soon!