Moving to Missouri?
Missouri is a unique Midwestern state that showcases the political and economic makeup of America and has been considered a border state between the Eastern and Western United States. It is popularly referred to as the “Show-Me State” for its laissez faire laws regarding alcohol and tobacco regulation. They also have an official state motto about the welfare of the people being the supreme law.
Historically, St. Louis was famous for its fur trade with the Native American tribes. The trade and its location, at the confluence of Illinois River, have made it a financial center. In earlier times the state was considered a slave state because of the settlement of large concentrations of slaves, especially around Little Dixie.
The state also served as the departure point for the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore the territories lying to the west, near the Pacific Ocean, earning it the nickname Gateway to the West.
If you’re moving to Missouri, there are a lot of things you’re going to need to know. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place.
Things to Know When Moving to Missouri
Missouri Climate
Hot and humid summers and cold winters are the characteristic feature of Missouri's climate. Without high mountains or oceans nearby, Missouri experiences a wide range of temperature changes. Warsaw often experiences both the extremes of the highest and lowest temperatures. Thunderstorms and powerful tornadoes lash Missouri, with the most recent one being the devastating Joplin tornado in 2011. Two river systems flow through Missouri – the Mississippi, along the eastern boundary of the state, and the Missouri River, that flows from west to east and connects the two major metropolitan areas, Kansas City and St. Louis.
Registering your Car
You have 30 days to register your car in Missouri from the date of the beginning of your residency in the state of Missouri. Registration is done at various licensed offices of the Missouri Department of Revenue. All motor vehicles are exempt from the safety inspection for the first five years following the model year of manufacture, regardless of change of ownership.
Obtaining a Missouri Driver’s License
Out- of-state driver's licenses valid or expired no more than 184 days, along with the required documents, need to be submitted to obtain a Missouri driver's license. In case you lose your license, you are asked to submit a current clearance letter from the state, and also have to take the written, vision and driving tests again to obtain a driver's license.
Crime Rankings
As of 2011, Missouri was ranked 36th out of 50 states in violent crime, with a total of less than 40 violent crimes for every 100,000 people in the state.
Industries
Aerospace, transportation equipment, food processing, chemical equipment and beer are some of the key industries in Missouri. The state is a leading producer of rice, soy beans, cotton, dairy products and poultry. Monsanto, one of the notable gene companies in the United States, is located in St. Louis thereby establishing the state's inroads to the science and biotechnology field. Tourism is another revenue-generating industry, bringing in millions of dollars of annual revenue yearly, from tourists that visit St. Louis, Kansas City and other popular areas of the state.
Employment Statistics
The unemployment rate as of March 2012 in Missouri was 7.4%, while at the national level it was 8.2%.
Average Income
The median household income in the state of Missouri is $44,306, while the average per capita income for the state is $38,248.
Moving and Storage
If you are looking for a moving company or storage facility to help you with anything, you should check to make sure the company is registered with the United States Department of Transportation or with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Real Estate
The average listing price for homes in Missouri is $201,202, while the median sales price is just over $84,624.The Missouri Association of Realtors is the official real estate resource for the state of Missouri.
Major landmarks and attractions
Grant's Farm; Missouri Botanical Garden; Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art; Silver Dollar City; Gateway Arch; Snowboat Branson Belle; Harry S. Truman Library and Museum
State Capital: Jefferson City
Largest Cities: Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, Independence, Columbia, Jefferson City
Schools
The public school system in Missouri is governed by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that includes kindergarten through the 12th grade. Education is compulsory from ages 7 to 17, although it is not divided into three tiers. Students from grades 3 through 8 are supposed to take a standardized test called the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) in such subjects as algebra, geometry, biology, and government. Students with cognitive disabilities are given an alternate MAP. Bright Flight, a merit-based scholarship is funded by the state for the top three percent of high school graduates who want to pursue university education in the state. Missouri Department of Higher Education administers 13 universities and 20 colleges, among them the University of Missouri, Saint Louis University, the University of Central Missouri and many others.
National Parks
Harry S. Truman National Historic Site
Ozark National Scenic Riverway
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield
State park System
The Division of State Parks under the Missouri Department of Natural Resources administers the 83 state parks, historic sites and the Roger Pryor Pioneer Back-country. Missouri is the place to be if you want to experience the outdoors. It offers a range of activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, swimming, bicycling. Some state parks include Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Athens State Park and Arrow Rock State Park, among many others.
Major Airports
Kansas City International Airport
Lambert-St. Louis International Airport
Springfield-Branson National Airport
Columbia Regional Airport
Branson Airport