Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Your better values on acreage are generally going to be outside of Boone County.
We talked to someone(?) from House of Brokers, and they said stick to Boone County because they're easier to resell because of stronger county building standards...good advice or bad?
Also...what's the commute like for Hallsville to JC? I just checked and you're right--they seem to have a pretty decent little school, at least according to the stats, as well...
I think some posters were right to jump on cyrano's post for some of what it entailed, but I think the majority is honest, truthful advice made by someone with a clear understanding of the area. I know the OP mentoned she liked the idea of a small town near a university because there would be some transplants and the towns would be used to newcomers. With the exception of Fulton (which after spending some small time in in college, did seem more up the OP's alley) these towns you are talking about will be very unused to transplants of any kind.
I also feel as though I have to be completely honest myself and share with you my concern about hard drugs in Mid-MO: From what I have seen they are very prevalent. When I was in my junior and senior years at Mizzou I was part of a large group of friends that seemed ever changing and ever growing as these groups tend to do. From working retail and fast food jobs, we made friends (some of them became very close friends) with kids who were still in High School -- either at Rockbridge or Hickman.
I'm not saying it's an endemic problem, per se, but I will tell you that those high school kids that I knew were doing drugs I had never heard of -- they were very experimental. And these were "smart" kids -- kids tracked in honors and AP classes, mind you. Not your typical burn outs by any stretch of the imagination.
I'm not saying this to scare you, but I do want you to know that if you think the most trouble your kids could get into is drinking some beer in a parking lot then I do think you are being naive.
Thanks--we'll definitely check out Fulton. It's a bigger school district than we might like, but it sounds like there may be other pros to the community. My big concern about alcohol and drugs is how pervasive and accepted it is in the community--places where the parents go out and buy the beer for high school parties, and the parents are all out drinking themselves. We have kids smoking pot here (my 15 year old just laughs when he's offered it, and then tells us about it) but he also has a strong group of friends and he's more of a leader in his grade. It's a completely different situation when you're the new kid, and it doesn't sound like you're talking about marijuana. Yikes.
Thanks--we'll definitely check out Fulton. It's a bigger school district than we might like, but it sounds like there may be other pros to the community. My big concern about alcohol and drugs is how pervasive and accepted it is in the community--places where the parents go out and buy the beer for high school parties, and the parents are all out drinking themselves. We have kids smoking pot here (my 15 year old just laughs when he's offered it, and then tells us about it) but he also has a strong group of friends and he's more of a leader in his grade. It's a completely different situation when you're the new kid, and it doesn't sound like you're talking about marijuana. Yikes.
That makes perfect sense to me, and it sounds like you've raised kids with very good heads on their shoulders. I am sure they will make the move just fine -- kids are amazingly resilient.
You WILL start seeing Confederate flag decals in the back windows of pickup trucks when you clear Columbia, I promise you, and of course lots of yellow ribbons, Palin bumper stickers, and the like.
This is painting with broad strokes, but i see this all the time too. I'm from there, I know. But it doesn't account for everyone!
Quote:
Originally Posted by cyrano
There's a reason why the US representative that "represents" Columbia is Blaine Leutkemeyer, who-- well, [URL="http://luetkemeyer.house.gov/"]his web page[/URL] speaks for itself. The reason is that our Republican legislature gerrymandered the district to neutralize the Columbia vote. There's a map of the district on the website-- check it out. And I don't really hear great things about the schools in any of those places. My impression is that they're teh types of places that begrudge paying school district taxes.
You can put Columbia into that category, too. Some tax measures have not passed in recent years, although mainly because the board has made some bad decisions. Over-centralization, meant to be a cost-saving measure, is maxing out local traffic and putting kids at risk thanks to the completely irrational bus service. Also the impression is administrators make too much money- and I think I have to agree with this. Anyway, in the face of declining revenues, they recently cut so called "specialist" positions. Mainly all of the stuff not covered on the standardized exams for which schools seem to exist nowadays- but the stuff I think is seriously lacking: Art, Music, Phys. Ed (!), as well as cuts in media services- that means librarians- and counselors. This is not a good thing.
I have a child in the Jefferson City public schools right now, and I was afraid to put her in at first, because of my preconceptions, but actually I am quite impressed. West Elementary in JC, while rather traditional, is such a nice school. It's like the way I think schools should be. Great, great staff, very concerned and dedicated, just good people. The facilities are nicer in Jeff because things are not so strained. Class sizes are not bad, at least in the elementary schools (middle, junior and high schoolsare different, sadly). Jeff City schools have had to make due with less, and seem to be making good choices; despite the tight budget, West has a brand new wing with classrooms for 5th grade and a functional, comfortable, attractive library. Also, there hasn't been as much allegation of waste as in Columbia, so in contrast the schools get their tax levies so their kids can attend all their classes in actual buildings, unlike the trailer cities some kids have to endure in Columbia.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cyrano
And the other thing that these towns have in common is that their residents HATE Columbia. They hate the libruls, they hate what they perceive as horrible traffic jams, a lot of them don't like MU (see hating libruls), they think recycling (which we do a lot of in Columbia) is some sort of commie plot, and they just have their hackles and defenses up when they have to come here. There's a prior thread with an exchange between me and a woman from Mexico (Missouri, of course), who KNEW that Columbia was full of nothing but crooks and liars that were out to get good folks like her. And furthermore, everyone else knew it too, except crooks and liars like me, I suppose.
Sorry, but driving in Columbia is not fun. It's just so congested, ALL of the time. For a town of the size of Columbia, it really shouldn't be as bad as it is. There are stress points along the major routes that should have been addressed long ago. Now they are real problems. There are accidents. The lights, having to compensate for heavy imbalance, are ridiculously short, or ridiculously long.
I agree about the recycling. Jeff City just implemented a mandatory recycling program and you should have heard the shouting. My neighbors told me things like "they don't really recycle those things. They just cart them off to the dump like everything else." Sure, let's double the amount of bins just so we can nickel and dime the people for a couple dollars more a month for trash service. Not to mention risking their entire business just to "fake" recycling.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cyrano
The best gauge on what parents think of public schools in Jeff is the popularity of the Catholic schools. Now, the RC church is the dominant church in Jeff, but lots of Protestant and others send their kids to Helias and the lower-grade (age-wise) Catholic schools. I know these people and like (most of) them, although we're very different.
I don't know. There is good public schooling to be had. As you said, Jeff City is strongly Catholic, and all of the outlying towns are Catholic- each has some sort of church as the cultural center of their town. You have to factor that into the reason why Catholic schooling is so popular. It's this town's mainstream. but that doesn't mean the public schools are a wasteland. The junior high and high schools are overcrowded- they could really use more resources. But somehow they've made due, and their schools are decent places to learn. Despite the ridiculous class sizes, the overwhelming football worship, and rather negative interactions with some of the more aggressive/less intelligent students there, I went to Jefferson City high school myself back in the day, and I managed to have not one, but two of the best teachers I've ever had in my life as teachers there. I'd say this is certainly not worse than average. But I can't comment about the present state of the school. There have been recent headlines about school violence, I seem to recall.
Columbia is a cultural hub compared to the area around it, for sure. And I miss that, I spend some time in Columbia every week for that reason. But I've grown to enjoy living in Jefferson City. People greet you pleasantly. There's not much crime. There's a local college, and a couple of art galleries. It's not crowded. There's some history. It's quaint without being too small. You can get sushi, amazing croissants and good coffee here. The young professional population is on the rise- slowly, yes, but it is rising. There is diversity, and not a lot of racial bashing- I don't encounter any on a daily basis. And, you know, just getting to know people- being their neighbors helps, too- the walls just aren't as solid. We find ways to agree and help each other out, even though we are the "hippies" (meant affectionately, i think..) on the block and the guy across the street is a great barometer for who I shouldn't vote for.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cyrano
Bottom line-- if you want diversity, moderate politics, and what goes with those things, you could probably make a go of it anywhere so long as you kept your political (and, I'm guessing, religious) views to yourself (go check the Leutkemeyer link if you haven't already, particularly the "Missouri values" link), but if you want to live with people like you, then Columbia is probably your only real choice.
In the entire state. I am not kidding.
Oh I don't know, I think you can be moderate in many places in Mo. and find a place to be happy. I've found my own enclave in a pretty conservative town.
Most of the smaller towns in the Columbia/Jeff City area are, socio-politically, the antithesis of Columbia, or at least they see themselves that way......You WILL start seeing Confederate flag decals in the back windows of pickup trucks when you clear Columbia, I promise you, and of course lots of yellow ribbons, Palin bumper stickers, and the like.
We Missourian's are very fond of lost causes cyrano - you will actually see some Missouri Tigers football bumper stickers out here in the sticks as well
We talked to someone(?) from House of Brokers, and they said stick to Boone County because they're easier to resell because of stronger county building standards...good advice or bad?
Also...what's the commute like for Hallsville to JC? I just checked and you're right--they seem to have a pretty decent little school, at least according to the stats, as well...
Acreage re-sale is almost always easier the closer in you are to a city for the simple fact that it is higher in demand and there is less of it. That is also why you will pay a premium, comparatively speaking.
Yes, Boone Co. does have codes outside of the city limits whereas other surrounding counties generally do not. Boone County Planning & Building - Home Page
However, I'd still say the building standards arguement is a weak one at best when it comes to re-sale specifically. Even with zoning and codes Columbia and Boone County have had their fair share of bad builders and shoddily built properties. It happens in every Missouri city during a real estate "boom" and Columbia/Boone Co. was not immune by any stretch of the imagination.
That said, know you buildings, what makes one sturdy and what does not. Look long and hard at the foundation and lay of the land on dry and rainy days. If you question the structural integrity either walk away and find something else or to cover your future assets be willing to hire a structural engineer to conduct your home inspection. Never accept a Realtor's word on such matters as they are not "experts" in that field. Many will dismiss things in order to help a sale along.
The posts about Meth are good ones. Just educate your kids well, be involved to the point of being a pest, and keep them away from those who might try to pressure them. Kids participating in lots of extracurricular activities usually is benefical compared to being a latch-key child with time on their hands. But, I'm not saying anyting you don't already know as a parent.
The commute to JC will depend upon how far in the Hallsville area you are from 63 Hwy. It actually covers quite a bit of ground to the North, East and West of Columbia proper. There can be a bit of traffic backup at the lights in the industrial area E. of 63 during the morning and evening work drives.
It's nice to have Columbia 30 miles from Jefferson City. Every now and again friends and I go there for shopping, dining and entertainment. But let's not make such sweeping generalizations here. It is not the liberal mecca anymore than it is exciting. I find Columbia about as Boring as Jefferson City anymore, regardless of political belief.
I get tired of people from Columbia ripping on Jeff City like they are so superior and enlightened. Give me a big break. It is a 30 minute drive or so, why make such a big deal?
There is alot of diversity in Columbia as there should be, it's the home of the flagship campus of University of Missouri. At the same time you can find a niche in Jefferson City also for whatever your political beliefs are.
I also find the liberal/conservative debate a bit nauseating.
And lastly I think you are going to find people of a like mind no matter where you go. You create your own reality.
Thanks again--great advice. We wouldn't think of buying a property without a thorough building inspection. Hopefully we'll be living in the area a long time, so we won't have to worry about resale. I'm assuming it's a buyers market there right now...
As far as kids and drugs--our motto has always been to know what's going on, to keep kids busy, and to keep them tired. . It's hard to get into too much trouble if you're wiped out from football or wresting practice. We're really involved parents--knowing the other kids in the school and the other parents is a HUGE reason why we want to stick to a smaller school district. We're fortunate to have really great kids with level heads, but as a mom, I still worry about putting them through major changes. We've relocated several times before, but it was when they were all much younger...
Again, thanks for all the info.
I live in Ashland City and love it. We bought a home here - we looked inside nashville and different areas, but you get alot more for your money here in Cheatham County. I also work inside Kingston Springs (near Pegram, TN) so know that area well. I'd suggest in terms of being really close to things to do-- maybe Kingston Springs because its relatively close drive into Bellevue, however, Ashland City is also close to Briley Parkway and white bridge road (nashville) and also Springfield TN.- Theres a nice neighborhood in ACITY called "Hidden Lakes" and it has newer homes.. beautiful and alot of retired folks -- nice area.. i dont see any real advantage of one over the other. Cheatham County in general is nice. You get alot more land for the $$ if your buying a home.. (compared to nashville tn).. and still close enough to drive into the city. Country living out here.. kingston springs doesnt have alot of things open late.. neither does ashland city. Kinda like "Maryberry" on andy griffith. Things close 10pm weeknights and 11 weekend generally. You can find areas in Ksprings that are on the closer side to Bellevue which has everything (grocery stores, shopping, starbucks etc..).. off Highway 70, but they still have alot of areas that were hit hard by the flood in Ksprings that arent repaired, so not sure what neighborhood i'd look at there-- beautiful countryside out here. Generally crime is low in Ashland City-- we do have a walmart open 24 hours right in town which is nice !! and alot of local restaurants (best mexican food around - El Rays)..
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
bored with Jeff City and Columbia?
. It's hard to get into too much trouble if you're wiped out from football or wresting practice. We're really involved parents--knowing the other kids in the school and the other parents is a HUGE reason why we want to stick to a smaller school district. We're fortunate to have really great kids with level heads, but as a mom, I still worry about putting them through major changes. We've relocated several times before, but it was when they were all much younger...
