Bad news for Springfield (Kansas City, St. Louis: crime rate, employment, school district)

[BinahZ]

I just got back from a trip to springfield and the surrounding area last week. I found Springfield to be a fairly friendly community with many attributes. The one thing i did find was a racial issue and a distrust of "outsiders". I being from the midwest most my life blended in fine. My husband with his Boston accent and our friend who was traveling with us and happens to be black experienced the other side. It got to the point my husband asked me to approach people as we got a better response. I do have to say some of the kindest people were in the restaraunts, waitresses and even managers were above friendly and helpful. The Ryans buffet and waffle house especially on a street that begins with K I think. near hwy 65 in the north end. Both were more than kind. I was disturbed as was my husband to see KKK grafitti on overpasses as we headed north ( I`m Jewish). I know you can run into these things anywhere, but after 3 years in new england, I am now used to less prejuidice and little blatant anti semitism. ( people are more subtle here lol)

[DeanMoore]

you are thinking of Kearney st. much of that side of town is considered the "rough" side of town

[Nu2pomona]

I think you have to look at the criteria by which these cities were rated. Commute time to work; (everyone knows about commuter gridlock in Springfield), amount spent per person to maintain city parks; number of museums per person; student to teacher ratio; median value of a home; pediatricians per person; unemployment rates; amount spent on education per student; student test scores and the divorce rate. If these things are really important to you, then you best stay away from Springfield. If you can live the rest of your life without visiting a museum or a city park, if you're home schooling, and have a job, Springfield might be great for you.

I used to live in a city that was rated one of the ten best places in America to retire. We were stunned. How higher than average taxes, high cost of living, bitterly cold temperatures and 84" of snow each winter added up to a great place to retire, I don't know. We lived there but we retired to Missouri.

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by Anonymous Political Junky

I think it is good. That would mean not so many people will want to move to the area.

Yes, especially famblies! Enough with the alter of the child, already. Springfield, maybe it's just a really, really nice place for GROWN UPS to live. Hooray!

20yrsinBranson

[BinahZ]

Your right, Kearny street, rough side or not, we met nice people there.

[trevorzero]

I moved here three years ago. I really don't want to move again, but I haven't yet really found my place here. In terms of compatible people, I would probably be better off living in a big city like San Francisco or Chicago. But I don't like living in a vast urban sprawl.

So I guess I'm just screwed. Springfield is pleasant and decent, but I need more pizzazz. I'm not going to get it.

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by trevorzero

I moved here three years ago. I really don't want to move again, but I haven't yet really found my place here. In terms of compatible people, I would probably be better off living in a big city like San Francisco or Chicago. But I don't like living in a vast urban sprawl.

So I guess I'm just screwed. Springfield is pleasant and decent, but I need more pizzazz. I'm not going to get it.

Pizzazz? Seems like there are tons of things to do and see in Springfield. What are you looking for, specifically? Of course, if you are looking for a sophisticated night spot, I can feel your pain. I attempted in vain to find an adult drinking establishment that offered upscale smooth jazz or something similar and was met with "deer in the headlights" look. LOL

20yrsinBranson

[8 SNAKE]

Originally Posted by trevorzero

Springfield is pleasant and decent, but I need more pizzazz. I'm not going to get it.

I'm afraid that you're correct. Springfield has a lot of great features, but it will never feel like Chicago or San Francisco. May I ask what brought you to Springfield?

[sunshine girl]

Heaton, don't let the talk about gangs, etc scare you away from here. Yes they are here, yes there are illegals, yes there are homes being broken into and robbed. But statiscally, I'd bet it is a small number and frequency. I have no facts to back this up, nor do I care to take time to hunt for them. Someone who cares more than I do, will do this for me, I feel sure. This place is probably (again w/o hard facts) 95% Caucasian and there seems to be a general fear of those who are "different". And I don't mean just racial. So if you are one of the many escaping Cali, you can simply follow the trend here, move to Ozark or Nixa to escape the "horrors" of living or sending your children to school amongst the working class of inner Spfld, and commute to Spfld to work. Or live in one of the many small towns(?) in the surrounding area and distance yourself away from everyone else.

This would be why I post so seldom in the MO forum, folks.

[8 SNAKE]

Originally Posted by sunshine girl

This would be why I post so seldom in the MO forum, folks.

Because you have formed the impression that the residents of Nixa and Ozark feel like they're better than you and other Springfield residents??