Missouri is the 24th state of the United States of America; it is the 21st largest state in terms of area and 18th largest in terms of population. Located in the Midwest area of the country, Missouri is bordered by 8 other states: Iowa, Arkansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Kansas and Tennessee. The state capital of Missouri is Jefferson City although the largest city in the state is Kansas City. Other major cities in Missouri include St Louis, Springfield and Independence.

The southern parts of the state have subtropical temperatures although the interior area of the state often has extreme temperature fluctuations. This is due to the fact that Missouri has no mountainous areas and is not close to any oceans both of which help to moderate temperatures. The climate in Missouri is influenced by other the cold arctic winds and the heat from the gulf coast.

Missouri – Employment

The unemployment rate in Missouri is over 9%, which puts it on a par with many other states. Missouri has several major industries which contribute to the state’s economy. These include aviation, chemical production, the production of electrical equipment and beer production. Alongside this is the agricultural industry which is responsible for large outputs in hay, corn, cotton and meat. The state has one of the highest numbers of farms in the country.

It is difficult to find work in the agricultural industry as much of it is seasonal and is mainly for unskilled workers. Manufacturing is easier for people to find work, as it is year round, offering a range of vacancies for both skilled and unskilled workers at all levels and there are so many different types of manufacturing taking place. The tourism industry is also strong in the state and there are opportunities there too, but these are mainly seasonal positions for casual workers.

Missouri – Property

The city of St Louis attracts a large number of expats each year and there are many nice districts to choose from. The Downtown area has a large commercial sector although there are a large number of apartment buildings for those looking for accommodation. These are available to rent and buy and are very popular with professionals working in the area. The Midtown district is close to the theatre district and is very similar to the Downtown area. It does have more family homes but it is still largely apartments. Prices there are on a par with the regional average and there are many amenities such as good schools and a variety of shops.

Benton Park West is a St Louis district that dates from the 1970s. This area is mainly family homes and it is very popular as it is reasonably priced and getting into the centre of the city is quite easy. The area used to be two separate neighbourhoods which merged to form one large residential area. The area of Carondelet is quite a large neighbourhood and was originally populated by European immigrants. It is still popular with expats and accommodation ranges from cottages to apartments, although the area does have some much larger family homes. The properties here fall into all price ranges, so it should be fairly easy to find a home that suits your budget.

The area of Central West End is a much more affluent area and has a number of tourist attractions. The area has a lot of period features including some cobbled streets and different architectural styles. There is a variety of shops and restaurants as well as entertainment venues and the demand for property here is helping to keep the prices above average.

The Downtown area of the city of Columbia is a very popular location for newcomers to the district. This section of town is surrounded by institutes of higher education - there are some areas which are mainly populated by students so the accommodation there is inexpensive and mainly rented. Other sections include the commercial area and other residential areas which are mostly apartments. The area is popular with young professionals who work in the district and is busy day and night, so it is not the best option for those who are looking for a tranquil area in which to raise a family.