Apartments for Rent in Missouri

Missouri

Missouri is the heart of the mid-west and was the gateway to the west for generations during the pioneer days. Today it retains its rich western heritage while being a cosmopolitan area as well with rich cultural options in cities like Kansas City and St. Louis. Agriculture in Missouri is primarily cattle, wheat and soybeans with some other produce for local, in-state consumption. Industries that are prominent here include the beer and beverages industry and the mining and processing of zinc and lead.

Transportation is also important here. Missouri continues to be a major railroad hub for a half dozen major railroad companies, linking the eastern and western halves of the U.S. Aircraft equipment manufacturing and aerospace projects for the Department of Defense also provide lots of employment opportunities.

Tourists flock to Missouri to visit Branson, a country music favorite and follow the westward trail used by Conestoga travelers over a century ago. Historic sites include Hannibal, Missouri (Mark Twain’s hometown) and the Gateway Arch.

Outdoor Attractions

Camping and cook-outs are ubiquitous in Missouri, a state known for exceptional barbeque. Jazz festivals and outdoor entertainment in the many outdoor amphitheaters is also popular from spring through fall. If you’re into something a bit more active, the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers and large lakes such as Clearwater, Table Rock and the Lake of the Ozarks all offer opportunities for fishing, boating and kayaking.

The Ozark Plateau (sometimes called the Ozark Mountains) covers the lower half of the state in vast forests and low mountains that afford great camping, rock climbing and hiking. The area is also laced with hundreds of caves for exploring.

Colleges and Universities

The University of Missouri system has four campuses in the state, all of which offer partial scholarships to high school students who choose to attend in-state. St. Louis University and Washington University, St. Louis are also respected institutions with rich histories. The state is also dotted with many community colleges.

Real Estate and Housing

Missouri is an exceptional place to look for apartments. The balance of cosmopolitan offerings in the cities with great outdoor adventures means Missouri apartment dwellers can take off for fun weekends any time of year. Housing and apartment costs are some of the lowest in the country; combined with the seventh lowest cost of living in the U.S., these are great opportunities to live in an upscale apartment at a down-home price.

If you're leaning toward "big city" living, St. Louis and Kansas City both have a lot to offer to renters, but Kansas City is best for sports fans. If you want something a bit more small town in feel (but with lots of theaters, restaurants, etc.), check out Springfield and Joplin for even better Missouri apartment bargains.