California to Springfield Questions (St. Louis, Columbia: for sale, condo, school district)

[Rytawi]

Originally Posted by NOLA2SGF

I just finished describing Springfield on a retirement message board, in answer to a retiree in Tampa who was curious about my planned retirement destination. Hope what I said was fair. I've only visited there twice, for a week each time, so my knowledge of the area is just as a visitor and outsider, not as a resident. So, this based on my initial impressions only. Please feel free to point out mistakes or disagree.

Here's what I had to say (thanks to Bill Gates for the copy/paste function!):

Springfield met our criteria, which were:
1) very, very cheap housing and low cost of living
2) town between 50,000 and 250,000, adequate medical care but remote
3) far away from hurricanes
4) reasonably low crime
5) as warm a climate and as "southern" a feel to the local culture as the above criteria would allow

It also happens to be where my grandparents lived, though I have no more relatives there and hadn't been there since around 1962. We went there twice last year, for a week each time.

People there are nice and friendly, and the culture is a delightful combination of midwestern and southern. It is a highly conservative, highly Christian community. In fact, the international headquarters of 7th day adventists is there. We are not religious, so that is not much of a "plus" for us, but we do tend to be politically conservative. There is virtually zero racial, ethnic, or cultural diversity there so that might turn some people off. A recent matter of steamy debate in Springfield was whether or not to begin banning those under 21 from bars entirely. College students wanted to get in and listen to the music (and probably sneak a drink), but the decision was made and now they cannot do that in Springfield until reaching 21.

Springfield has one normal sized mall, and a bunch of slightly tacky strip malls. The Bass Pro Shop is a local attraction, as it is the original and very large. There is no Trader Joe's and it does not have many of the conveniences that Californians and other coastal dwellers might desire. The economy seems reasonably healthy for a small town that is not near a city. It has the usual "big box" stores like Home Depot and BB&B (no Linens 'n' Things, though), a modest Barnes & Noble, and not one but two Hobby Lobbies. Universities include Drury and Missouri State U., both of which are pretty small, and a half dozen tiny religious colleges. There are walking trails and parks throughout the town.

The region is hilly since it is in the Ozarks, with lakes, streams, forests, and karst topography that is susceptible to sinkhole development due to the limestone dissolving along underground rivers. To me, the natural beauty all around is a big plus. Weather is very extremely hot and humid in the summer, with snow and ice off and on in the winter, so there is definitely a change in season, and they are subject to tornados like many midwestern states. New Orleans has prepared me well for the summer heat and humidity, but I will have to learn about living in sub-freezing temperatures and snow.

The north side of town is mostly older, deteriorating frame houses, and what crime they have tends to be there. The south side has a number of new developments just outside of town. Springfield is not far from Branson, which has some very upscale communities. Springfield is about 3-3.5 hours from St. Louis on I-44. Locals complain bitterly about rush hour traffic along main streets within Springfield and clamor that something must be done. It didn't look THAT bad to me, but then I wasn't in a hurry to get to work or anything.

That desciption is 100% factual and true!

[Rytawi]

You also have to realize that while those are facts except you underated our medical facilities those are top notch. The feel/aura of the city isn't a fact or a statistic. They don't sent out survey asking if your a racist or if you cook meth in your basement. For people who have been here the majority of there youth year this isn't an issue, but for an entire family moving in it can be very difficult. On top if that if they're a race other than white, a religion other than Christian, political view aren't conservative, and sexual orientation isn't straight odds are they'll never be accepted by the general population.

[NOLA2SGF]

Originally Posted by Rytawi

In general most people in the area is poorly educated.

Hmm.

Originally Posted by Rytawi

Lastly there are almost no arts and theater in springfield and the reason you find them "sophisticated" is because you have no idea what a true arts seen is.

Hmm. What would you call a true arts scene?

Originally Posted by Rytawi

I agree tornados have a history of being rare, but one has hit the same place in battlefield before the even started rebuilding. The local news channels have dubbed it "Tornado Alley".

Sorry to hear that. The same thing happened on the West Bank here in New Orleans. No tornados for decades, then two in the same place in different years.

Originally Posted by Rytawi

I can remember a lot of good times a had in springfield and are still having,

Want to tell us about them?

Originally Posted by Rytawi

but there's no reason to lie about what it is. If your white, none gay and are christian or have no real religious beliefs then you can cover up anthing else the general population here is lacking in acceptance and you can have a pretty good time

It doesn't sound like you are very happy in Springfield. But different people look for different things in a town. I meet all of those criteria (white, non-gay, etc), but living in New Orleans I am not particularly unfamiliar with (or unaccepting of) people that are not identical to me. It's just not as big a deal when you live down here (nobody cares). Maybe you should move down here if that is what you want in a town. (Wanna buy my house? )

[NOLA2SGF]

Originally Posted by Rytawi

You also have to realize that while those are facts except you underated our medical facilities those are top notch.

You're right! New Orleans is so proud that we have a level one trauma center in one of our hospitals (or did, before Katrina). Springfield has two!! I am definitely impressed, and since I am close to retiring, good medical facilities are important to me. They could keep me alive longer.

[NOLA2SGF]

Originally Posted by Rytawi

That desciption is 100% factual and true!

Good! I am glad to know that I am on the right track. This is what I want in a retirement town. No place is perfect, but this balance of plusses and minuses works for me.

[Ozarks21]

Originally Posted by Rytawi

Fear of tornados?

As long as you don't live in Battlefield, MO you'll be fine.

We have kids in Boy Scouts and soccer. Are there ample opportunities for the kids to be involved in these activities?

There's not a whole lot in the way of souts, but as much soccer as their little hearts desire. Plus as I said before if the're involved in school sports the transition will be much easier.

I live in Battlefield and have not been affected by tornados. You cannot predict where a tornado will hit next. The whole region is susceptible to tornados. But you have greater odds of being harmed on your commute to work.

There are many opportunities for scouting if you are looking for that. I work with a man who reviews Eagle Scout projects. Our church sponsors a troop. And I know there are several others.

Rytawi, you seem to be shooting from the hip on some of this stuff. It's good to hear from folks who have legitimate gripes about the area, but your credibility suffers when you invent negatives or comment on things in a negative way when you aren't fully informed about them.

[Randy Henderson]

Was it a culture shock?

Of all your concerns this sould be the biggest! Here's a basic overview of the GENERAL population: EXTREMELY CONSERVATIVE, narrow minded, very religous, the schools are extremely clickish so moving in can be hard unless your kids are very active in sports then life for them will be pretty good, but what else can you expect from the bible belt?

I can expect good, honest, kind people who happen to share a common religious faith. They are also the people that (I have found) go out of their way to help neighbors in need, wave people into traffic if thier is a line, and fill every donatin box they see, even when they don't have the money to do it.
I might not always agree with the politics or religious beliefs of all of my Springfield neighbors, but judging someone based on religion is the same as judging them on race or color.

[mcginnis12878]

Hello residents of Springfield! I currently live in Colorado Springs, Co and was from California before that. I am happy to find an area that is conservative since I left California for these reasons:
a. the politics are insane there! I am definitely the minority in my feelings!
b. jobs being lost because you are white and not a minority due to equal opportunity being pushed far more heavily. I am all for equality but that program is not.
c.the cost of living is horrendous!
While I agree Trader Joes is great I have lived without it, and without INnOut Burger for a few years and gotten along just fine. It sounds like the wine place is excellent.
Now off of my soapbox...LOL! I do have a few questions....
1.What zip code areas or streets should I avoid in my search for housing.
2.What is the auto industry like out there? My hubby is a chrysler jeep dodge tech and I would like to make sure the dealership is nice.
3.Is there FFA and 4-H? How are the schools?
4.Is it woodsy all over? We will be visiting in a few weeks and having lived here next to the Pikes peak area we are used to some trees. I am looking forward to moving to another woodsy area but with more lakes and streams!
5.Is the crime really as bad as they make it out to be? I am trying to choose a safer area than colorado springs.
Thanks guys, I really hope this area doesn't become another california, that would be a travesty!

[Ozarks21]

It is difficult to give you specific streets or zip codes to avoid. You will increase your odds of success if you search south of Chestnut Expressway. But there are great neighborhoods north and some really great new developments on the far north end of town.

We are a regional center for things like auto dealership service - I think your husband would be fine.

Yes - ffa and 4h and the schools are good (with exceptions)

You won't have trouble finding trees (though many were damaged in the ice storm this year). But the whole area isn't forest. There are many open pastures and hay fields too.

I don't see the crime and I never feel unsafe. There is crime, of course. I just don't live or work or socialize anywhere that crime is a factor.

[mcginnis12878]

Wonderful to hear. I am also noticing the outer area schools seem to be better despite lack of funds. I think part of what makes good schools is the parents getting involved and helping! I am extremely involved in my daughter's school and she is doing really well! Hopefully I will find an older house neighborhood that has tons of kids for her to play with. That is hard to find here in Colorado Springs. Here's Hoping, Looking to come and do my homework in about 2 and half weeks!