| Nicknamed the "Show Me" state, Missouri is an | | | | into restaurants and hip stores. The city is also |
| interesting mix of big cities and rural lands. Missouri | | | | known for a very strong music scene and large |
| real estate prices do not require you to "show" a | | | | parks for recreation. For professional sports, St. |
| lot of money. | | | | Louis is all about baseball, football and hockey. |
| Missouri | | | | Branson |
| The quintessential midwestern state, Missouri | | | | Branson is a little town in the Ozarks that has |
| offers interesting contrasts. On one hand, you | | | | been called the family Las Vegas. The town is |
| have large cities such as St. Louis and Kansas | | | | littered with shows and activities tailored to |
| City. On the other, rural farmlands and towns | | | | families. While it isn't a place you would want to |
| dominate the rest of the landscape. Economically, | | | | live because of the traffic, it is a good place to |
| the state is dominated by agriculture and railroad | | | | visit if you live in the state. |
| industries although typical large businesses can be | | | | Springfield |
| found in the cities including Budweiser in St. Louis. | | | | Seemingly the healthcare center of the United |
| The origin of the "show me" nickname is | | | | States, Springfield is a nice place to raise a family. |
| unknown. The state, however, was named after | | | | Situated next to Burrell Park Lake, the town has |
| the Missouri Indians who lived along the banks of | | | | seen major redevelopment. You'll find modern |
| the Missouri River. A heartland state, Missouri is an | | | | warehouse lofts, outdoor cafes and trendy little |
| inexpensive place to raise a family in relative | | | | shops in brick building lined streets. The park and |
| comfort. | | | | trail system in Springfield is one of the best in the |
| St. Louis | | | | country. |
| St. Louis is a city with an odd mix of influences. | | | | Missouri Real Estate |
| Established by the French, the city has a faint air | | | | Missouri real estate prices are very reasonable |
| of European influence, but a much larger heartland | | | | compared to the rest of the country. A |
| feel. The city really had hard times in the 1970s, | | | | single-family home in Springfield will average |
| but serious redevelopment efforts have led to a | | | | $170,000, while the same home will cost $250,000 |
| major revival. Known for the famous Arch, the | | | | in St. Louis. Missouri real estate appreciated at a |
| downtown and river front areas have seen major | | | | very modest 7.5 percent in 2005. |
| revivals with old dilapidated warehouses renovated | | | | |