Sedalia vs. Boonville vs. California, MO (St. Louis, Columbia: crime, houses, schools)

[dragon0524]

My husband and I are considering moving from Florida to Missouri. I visited Sedalia for a weekend this past April and really liked it, but have since heard that it's a very high-crime area, though I detected nothing like that during my visit and I stayed right downtown. I am looking for a town/city of that approximate size and within the Hwy 50/70 corridor. Boonville and California look like good possibilities too. My husband and I are both in our early 40's with no kids, so schools are not an issue. I do office work, he is a "jack of all trades", so to speak. Any thoughts?

[attrapereves]

I'm a small town person myself. I really like Boonville. It's about a 1/3 the size of Sedalia. California is about 1/2 the size of Boonville. The nice thing about Boonville is that it's close to Columbia for shopping, but far enough to have that small town feel. Another pro for Boonville is that it's on the river.

[dragon0524]

Thanks for your input, attra. I know that the rivers do tend to flood up there during the rainy season. Has that been a big problem in Boonville?

[attrapereves]

Originally Posted by dragon0524

Thanks for your input, attra. I know that the rivers do tend to flood up there during the rainy season. Has that been a big problem in Boonville?

The flooding can happen, but it seems to mostly affect the homes closest to the rivers.

[brushrunner]

I use to live in the area,what hurt me about California was all the Illegals moving into the area.They would come by my place looking for work but I ran them off.It use to be a nice town.

Boonville I like.I retired from the Bakery there but it closed down because of IBC,Nordine is shutting down,so that will put many out of work.Use to be most the town was kin to me but not anymore But it's still a nice town.

If your looking for work the State Prison usually hires in the area.

brushrunner

[brushrunner]

Originally Posted by dragon0524

Thanks for your input, attra. I know that the rivers do tend to flood up there during the rainy season. Has that been a big problem in Boonville?

Boonville on the most part is way above the flooding.I filled Sand Bags and evacuated many floods along the river even the Great Flood of '93 and went back in '94 and many more from my Childhood on.I Loved the river Trapped,Hunted and Camped along it even where Katy Trail now is.

brushrunner

[dragon0524]

Thanks brushrunner. I don't think I'll see the illegals as too much of a problem. I'm coming from Florida, remember. :-)

Boonville is sounding more and more promising all the time. So I take it what I've heard about Sedalia is true, then? Pretty bad crime area?

[STLCityMike]

If you are looking along the hwy 50 corridor .. you may want to peek at Washington MO? It is closer to St. Louis, but I think it is a great small city. Herman is very cool too!

[Mzurie]

Sedalia - love it. Has a rich character; love the houses on business 50 going through town. There's a community center. A Ukrainian immigrant community that adds a unique flavor. (It's been awhile since I've been through, but there was a Ukrainian cafe on Ohio Street that made me one of the best sandwiches I've ever had in my life. Imported meats, cheeses from Russia.) A hospital.

Boonville - love it, too, and there's just something about a river town. Sadly, the downtown building stock seems to be falling into fast disrepair, which is such a shame because the structures' bones are fine. Another advantage to Boonville is that it's right on I-70, making it super easy to whip over to KC or Columbia.

Both towns are on the Katy Trail, a nice amenity.

California, in my humble opinion, doesn't have the character that either Sedalia or Boonville have, though it's pleasant enough. It's sort of a rural bedroom community for Jefferson City. Traffic on Highway 50 in the mornings and evenings reflect this.

I agree that Washington is definitely worth a look! Another river and rail town. Sweet park down by the river across the tracks. A decent selection of restaurants, some art galleries. A hospital.

I agree that Hermann's charming; it's about 13 miles south of I-70. Don't think it has as much to offer as Sedalia, Boonville, or Washington.

[dragon0524]

Thanks, Mzurie. That is very useful info. I was also charmed by the homes along W. Broadway in Sedalia as you come into town. Lovely area. I am returning to the area with hubby in tow at the end of August and plan to give Boonville and California a thorough look-see. Maybe I'll find time to check out Washington as well.