Do not recommend living in Missouri (Kansas City, St. Louis: apartment, lease, crime)

[ben young]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

No, I'm closer to 1,000 ft. elevation and we get fronts coming down from the Great Lakes region half the summer. There are a few years with nearly no high temperatures above 90F the entire summer.

Heck I live in Pittsburg NH.at 1900 feet 3 miles from the borderand I can count on one hand the times in a Summer it gets to 70 degrees,17 degrees at the moment cloudy 3. 1/2 feet of packed snow on the ground and I love it.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by ben young

Heck I live in Pittsburg NH.at 1900 feet 3 miles from the borderand I can count on one hand the times in a Summer it gets to 70 degrees,17 degrees at the moment cloudy 3. 1/2 feet of packed snow on the ground and I love it.

Pittsburg, NH is great, I took a road trip to see Lake Francis and First Connecticut Lake many years ago. The closest type of climate that is similar to your area that I enjoy that is a closer drive to me is the Lake Superior Snowbelt region (western UP, Iron Range, WI).

[BOORGONG]

Originally Posted by ben young

Heck I live in Pittsburg NH.at 1900 feet 3 miles from the borderand I can count on one hand the times in a Summer it gets to 70 degrees,17 degrees at the moment cloudy 3. 1/2 feet of packed snow on the ground and I love it.

Snow is cool. Cold weather is cool, too!

[SunGrins]

There are many parts of Missouri that are ideal. Most people will look around them at their surroundings and think that this is wonderful -- "God's Country" as was often said. And, in fact, there are some very nice locations. There are some hell holes, too, which is true for most states. But even there, people adapt, and expectations are reduced to where it doesn't seem so bad. I lived there for 65 years and worked in state and city government for 37 years. I had a broader view -- not just my local community. I watched things begin to deteriorate in state politics and saw demographic problems develop in some counties. I visited every city and county seat and saw standards and expectations begin to diminish.

The biggest problem that holds the state back and makes it appear somewhat of a bad example in a national perspective, is the rabid and destructive urban/rural divide. That one fact morphs into a multi-faceted problem that transcends politics and economics. It is the driving force in many political decisions. It includes elements of racism and smug complacency and a false notion that when one side wins the other always loses, and that that is okay.

Missouri is a gorgeous state with many assets and economic resources and outstanding cultural and historical pluses --- way too many to mention. The cities are world-class. The small towns are idyllic. The problem is that most of the wounds that hold the state back are self-inflicted. Missouri competes with itself.

[Floorist]

Originally Posted by SunGrins

There are many parts of Missouri that are ideal. Most people will look around them at their surroundings and think that this is wonderful -- "God's Country" as was often said. And, in fact, there are some very nice locations. There are some hell holes, too, which is true for most states. But even there, people adapt, and expectations are reduced to where it doesn't seem so bad. I lived there for 65 years and worked in state and city government for 37 years. I had a broader view -- not just my local community. I watched things begin to deteriorate in state politics and saw demographic problems develop in some counties. I visited every city and county seat and saw standards and expectations begin to diminish.

The biggest problem that holds the state back and makes it appear somewhat of a bad example in a national perspective, is the rabid and destructive urban/rural divide. That one fact morphs into a multi-faceted problem that transcends politics and economics. It is the driving force in many political decisions. It includes elements of racism and smug complacency and a false notion that when one side wins the other always loses, and that that is okay.

Missouri is a gorgeous state with many assets and economic resources and outstanding cultural and historical pluses --- way too many to mention. The cities are world-class. The small towns are idyllic. The problem is that most of the wounds that hold the state back are self-inflicted. Missouri competes with itself.

Major crimes are rampant in the three largest cities, Kansas City, St. Louis and Springfield and rare in the rural areas. That causes much of the divide. As an example, there has been one gun death in my entire county in the last 10 years. There was 167 in Kansas City last year, and 196 in St. Louis.

[SnazzyB]

Originally Posted by Floorist

I have lived in Missouri most of my life. I have lived in several cities, but moved my business back home and never regretted it. Rural Missouri is just so laid back and peaceful. You can find yourself talking for 20 minutes in a store to a person you never met before. Very few major crimes. Houses are comparatively cheap. Utilities and groceries are affordable. Neighbors are friendly without being intrusive.

We have some property about 20 miles from Sullivan, MO. It IS peaceful. I've lived in Missouri most of my life, and I enjoy the diversity of nature. Not a fan of winter though. LOL

[SunGrins]

Originally Posted by Floorist

Major crimes are rampant in the three largest cities, Kansas City, St. Louis and Springfield and rare in the rural areas. That causes much of the divide. As an example, there has been one gun death in my entire county in the last 10 years. There was 167 in Kansas City last year, and 196 in St. Louis.

Keep it boiling. That's what you're good at.

[Tia616]

Originally Posted by Floorist

Major crimes are rampant in the three largest cities, Kansas City, St. Louis and Springfield and rare in the rural areas. That causes much of the divide. As an example, there has been one gun death in my entire county in the last 10 years. There was 167 in Kansas City last year, and 196 in St. Louis.

I'm currently in Springfield, MO and I love that there is nature everywhere but this place does have a lot of rude people here. But it is affordable compared to most cities.

I have some questions about the other cities KC & St. Louis:

1. Are they really as bad as everyone says? Because eventually I'd like to move to one of them after we (my mom & I) get on our feet and I get back into school.

2. I've read that both cities are not good for single people?

3. What cities in the midwest would be good for a single woman? Because I would like to stay close to my mom & my brother who is in Sioux Falls, SD.

Thank you.

[sub]

Originally Posted by Tia616

I'm currently in Springfield, MO and I love that there is nature everywhere but this place does have a lot of rude people here. But it is affordable compared to most cities.

I have some questions about the other cities KC & St. Louis:

1. Are they really as bad as everyone says? Because eventually I'd like to move to one of them after we (my mom & I) get on our feet and I get back into school.

2. I've read that both cities are not good for single people?

3. What cities in the midwest would be good for a single woman? Because I would like to stay close to my mom & my brother who is in Sioux Falls, SD.

Thank you.

The cities have some rough areas but there are some nice parts as well.

Keep in mind St. Louis city proper is pretty small in relation to its total metropolitan area. The really bad parts are primarily on the north side of the city. That's the part that gives it the reputation. The metro overall is plenty safe with a wide variety of suburbs to choose from.

Kansas City is similar, but the city itself takes up a lot more land area. Large portions of the city are newer suburban-style developments. Then of course you have a lot of good suburbs in addition to all that.
In KC, east Kansas City, at least the parts that are south of the river, are the areas with the worst crime.

Those two cities will be similar to Springfield in terms of affordability believe it or not, but you can make a lot more money to live off of in those larger cities.
Been there done that.
It's anecdotal, but our expenses in the KC suburbs were on par with the very rural town in the Ozarks that we lived in. Factor in gas to do.... anything at all, and the convenience of many more budget stores to choose from, the city may have actually been a little cheaper.
My personal experience with rural Missouri has been hit and miss but that's been my experience with small towns in any state I've lived in.

We tried living near Springfield in a small town for a while and tossed around the idea of moving there, or one of the adjacent towns like Ozark, but couldn't pull that trigger.
Springfield isn't the worst place, I do tend to defend it on here, but there's no denying it has an edge to it.
It doesn't look too bad passing through, but the more familiar we got with it the less we liked it as a place to live.


We lived in KC for many years and wouldn't hesitate to move back if life took us that direction again.
It's big enough to find people to connect with and for the most part it's pretty friendly.
I have family in St. Louis and have spent a pretty significant amount of time there. Folks seem nice there as well.
For city living, those two are better in my opinion than Springfield.

Can't comment on the singles scene but larger populations always seemed to make it easier in that regard as well.

[TRex2]

Originally Posted by Tia616

I'm currently in Springfield, MO and I love that there is nature everywhere but this place does have a lot of rude people here. But it is affordable compared to most cities.

I have some questions about the other cities KC & St. Louis:

1. Are they really as bad as everyone says? Because eventually I'd like to move to one of them after we (my mom & I) get on our feet and I get back into school.

2. I've read that both cities are not good for single people?

3. What cities in the midwest would be good for a single woman? Because I would like to stay close to my mom & my brother who is in Sioux Falls, SD.

Thank you.

A lot depends on what you are looking for. Many years ago, before the big cities got bad, I lived in one for a few years, and a small city for many more years.

It's not for me.

But it depends on what you are looking for: are you more Jason Aldean, or more Donna Summers?

If you want excitement and drama, the city is the place to be.

You asked:
"good for a single woman"

Good for her to remain single?
To get a job ?
To find a husband ? or another woman ?