Missouri Real Estate - The Show Me State
By Raynor James, Fri Dec 9th

Nicknamed the "Show Me" state, Missouri is an interesting mix ofbig cities and rural lands. Missouri real estate prices do notrequire you to "show" a lot of money.

Missouri

The quintessential midwestern state, Missouri offers interestingcontrasts. On one hand, you have large cities such as St. Louisand Kansas City. On the other, rural farmlands and townsdominate the rest of the landscape. Economically, the state isdominated by agriculture and railroad industries althoughtypical large businesses can be



found in the cities includingBudweiser in St. Louis.

The origin of the "show me" nickname is unknown. The state,however, was named after the Missouri Indians who lived alongthe banks of the Missouri River. A heartland state, Missouri isan inexpensive place to raise a family in relative comfort.

St. Louis

St. Louis is a city with an odd mix of influences. Establishedby the French, the city has a faint air of European influence,but a much larger heartland feel. The city really had hard timesin the 1970s, but serious redevelopment efforts have led to amajor revival. Known for the famous Arch, the downtown and riverfront areas have seen major revivals with old dilapidatedwarehouses renovated into restaurants and hip stores. The cityis also known for a very strong music scene and large parks forrecreation. For professional sports, St. Louis is all aboutbaseball, football and hockey.

Branson

Branson is a little town in the Ozarks that has been called thefamily Las Vegas. The town is littered with shows and activitiestailored to families. While it isn't a place you would want tolive because of the traffic, it is a good place to visit if youlive in the state.

Springfield

Seemingly the healthcare center of the United States,Springfield is a nice place to raise a family. Situated next toBurrell Park Lake, the town has seen major redevelopment. You'llfind modern warehouse lofts, outdoor cafes and trendy littleshops in brick building lined streets. The park and trail systemin Springfield is one of the best in the country.

Missouri Real Estate

Missouri real estate prices are very reasonable compared to therest of the country. A single-family home in Springfield willaverage $170,000, while the same home will cost $250,000 in St.Louis. Missouri real estate appreciated at a very modest 7.5percent in 2005.

About the author:Raynor James is with http://www.fsboamerica.org - FSBO homes forsale by owner. Visit our home buying page athttp://www.fsboamerica.org/buyer.cfm to see homes for sale byowner.

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