No matter where one chooses to reside in Missouri, the state is filled with a plethora of cultural, recreational and employment opportunities. Whether you are here to raise a family, retire, pursue an education or launch a new career, discovering Missouri’s many unique destinations and attractions will prove to be exciting.
      “The Show Me State” is considered by most inhabitants to be a Midwestern state, although it has many Southern cultural influences. Missouri has two major metropolitan areas, St. Louis and Kansas City. St. Louis is the state’s largest urbanized area and is considered to be the 18th larges metropolis in the nation. It is the principal city of the 11-county St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area, which also includes five counties in the state of Illinois. Some of the major communities that comprise this area are St. Charles, St. Peters, Florissant, Chesterfield, O’Fallon and University City.

Did You Know...

State Nickname: The Show Me State State Capital: Jefferson City State Flower: Hawthorn State Bird: Bluebird

      For decades, St. Louis has continued to lead the way in the state’s integration of more advanced technology as it implies to the city’s infrastructure. From the modernization of residential and commercial developments to the sophistication of the area’s vast transportation network, St. Louis sets the model that all other region’s in the state use to follow in their footsteps. Here, an array of housing styles and structures are available in a broad range of prices. From affordable starter homes to privately-gated estates and manors,

neighborhoods throughout the metro’s many family-oriented communities offer a rewarding lifestyle for people of all ages.
      As the state’s largest city, Kansas City has all four major economic sectors: agricultural, commercial, industrial and residential. It offers its diverse population some of the finest dining in the Midwest, most notably, the mouth-watering steak and rib houses featuring American cuisine.
Other cities in the Kansas City Metro Area include Independence, Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, Raytown, Liberty, and Gladstone. Each one of these bedroom communities is unique but they all have plenty of open space for parkland and outdoor recreation, housing selections available in a wide range of prices and a community focus on the quality of education.
      With beautiful state parks, rivers and caves, residents and tourists alike are afforded the luxury of exploring the adventurous great outdoors year-round, due to the overall mild climate. Escaping to the rolling country roads of Missouri’s wine country is a peaceful retreat that will allow you to see for yourself why Missouri is recognized internationally for its award-winning vintages.
      Missouri’s public school system includes kindergarten to 12th grade and requires all children between the ages of 7-16 inclusive to be enrolled in school. The University of Missouri is a statewide public university system with campuses in Columbia, St. Louis, Kansas City and Rolla. The state also funds a $2,000 renewable merit-based scholarship, Bright Flight, given to the top 3 percent of Missouri High School graduates who attend a university in-state. The complete list of universities, colleges, junior colleges, community colleges and trade schools in the state is extensive headed by the University of Missouri, Southeast Missouri State and Stephens College.

      The presence of professional sports in this state has resulted in a friendly rivalry between St. Louis and Kansas City, as MLB’s St. Louis Cardinals, NFL’s St. Louis Rams and the Kansas City Chiefs are favorites with the fans. Additionally, the NHL’s St. Louis Blues and the MLS’s Kansas City Wizards compete here also. Combining the existence of major professional sports with a healthy representation of collegiate institutions throughout the state and it becomes apparent why Missouri is consistently ranked amongst the greatest sports states in the country.