Having a degree in conflict management has come in handy for Michelle Nishide in her career as a Realtor, but it’s her warm, infectiously enthusiastic personality that has proven to be her biggest asset. Just ask the legion of past clients who can’t say enough about how her communicativeness and attention to detail put them at ease throughout the buying and selling process.

It’s no wonder Michelle treats each client with such a personal touch; becoming a real estate agent was a deeply personal decision. When her parents decided to emigrate back to Japan, they needed her help navigating the complicated process of selling their home. Not one to go half-in on anything, Michelle got her real estate license and represented them in the transaction, which led to a new career dedicated to helping people like she helped her own family. “I come from a family of hardworking, self-employed people. Being accountable for each action, every day is what I grew up around, so real estate was a natural fit,” she says.

In just four years as a licensed agent, Michelle has made a seismic mark on the industry. A graduate of the University of California, Irvine, with a degree in international relations with an emphasis in conflict management, early in her real estate career, Michelle was tasked with helping found a real estate group. The Kondo Group, which she co-founded with Tadashi Kondo and now serves as their assistant team leader, has grown to a team of 11 and was responsible for over $45 million in sales in the last year. In addition, Michelle was recently named the youngest board member of the Asian Real Estate Association of America’s (AREAA) Los Angeles Coastal Chapter.

Her desire to serve the best interests of her clients extends far beyond her bottom line. When a client saw that their childhood home was suddenly on the market, losing out on it was not an option. Michelle recognized that they needed to reposition themselves with the listing agent’s buyer agent, which meant she had to step down and lose out on the work she had already invested in the transaction. Not only did she step down, she continued to advise the client knowing that she wasn’t going to receive any compensation for her work. But all that mattered to her was that her former client was able to buy a home that had so much history and emotion attached to it.

“This may sound hyperbolic, but I genuinely love the people I represent and feel honored that they chose me to help them with one of the most important decisions in their lives,” Michelle says. “Clients have turned into friends, and even family to me. I’ve been to their weddings, their baby’s first birthday parties, holiday parties—you name it.”

Michelle has positioned herself as a true leader in her time as an agent, hosting training and coaching seminars, developing classes to improve each team member, planning team-building activities, constructing systems to help team members be more efficient, and above all, keeping the motivation and camaraderie in The Kondo Group high. “Having joined Movoto Real Estate in August last year, Michelle has been the most productive team member with the ‘lead by example’ way she carries herself,” Maximillian Diez, Movoto’s Vice President of Real Estate Operations, says. “She exhibits a rare combination of speed and tenacity that has enabled her to produce a high volume of work while maintaining excellent standards of quality.”

“Movoto has given my team and me professional recognition,” Michelle says. “I changed brokers because Movoto has an ambitious but realistic vision of what they want to achieve. The opportunities they created have helped my team and I launch a brand new brokerage within an already saturated broker market. We quickly became noticed in the community. I love that we’re able to say we’re a technology-enabled brokerage that allows our buyers to be at the forefront of investment opportunities and provide our sellers with the largest online presence.”

But any accolades aside, Michelle continues to be inspired most by the people she serves. “The most rewarding part of being a Realtor is that you get to meet and work with various people in various industries. My clients have been teachers, doctors, NASA Engineers, entrepreneurs, and more,” she explains. “This ever-growing network of diverse people who I grow to truly care for and become a part of their success stories—it drives me to always be curious and work as hard as they do.”

The post How Conflict Management Has Grown My Real Estate Success appeared first on Movoto Real Estate Blog.

Fire Safety Tips

• Prevent clothes dryers from overheating by always removing lint from the screens before and after use.
• Every home should have at least one fire extinguisher that’s kept out of children’s reach.
• When choosing a fire extinguisher for the home, select one that is classified A-B-C. An A-B-C fire extinguisher fights three different types of fires, including those started by flammable liquids, electricity, and combustibles.
• Remember the acronym PASS when it comes to using a fire extinguisher: Pull out the pin. Aim at the fire’s base. Squeeze together the levers. Sweep from one side of the fire’s base to the other.
• Smoke alarms should be installed on every floor in the home, placed outside of sleeping areas and inside each bedroom, and tested monthly.

Preparing for and Preventing a Home Fire

• Reduce the risk of fires due to space heaters by placing them in a location that is away from combustible items, turning them off before sleeping, and never leaving them unattended.
• When burning candles, place the holders on heat-resistant surfaces that cannot easily be reached or knocked over by children or pets.
• Store lighters and matches in a location inaccessible to children.
• Prevent smoking-related fires by putting out cigarettes in ashtrays and dousing them with water before throwing them in the trash.
• Educate kids about fire safety and teach them never to pick up or play with matches, lighters, or other items that can be used to start a fire.

Smoke Alarms

• Maintain smoke alarms by cleaning cobwebs and dust from sensors and vents. Annually, use a vacuum to clean the alarm.
• Test smoke alarms on a monthly basis to ensure that they are operating properly.
• Replace batteries once a year or whenever the battery warning chirps.
• Replace all smoke alarms that are 10 years old, including those with non-replaceable batteries. When looking at homes for sale, ask how old the smoke alarms are.
• Install smoke alarms 10 feet away from the kitchen and as high as possible on the wall or on the ceiling.

Home Fire Escape Plans

• Create a fire escape plan with two exits from every room, and conduct practice drills with the entire family at least once every six months.
• When creating the fire escape plan, draw a layout that shows each room and potential escape route in the home.
• Teach family members to never go back into a home that’s on fire after successfully escaping.
• When selecting a meeting spot, consider the location and its proximity to the home. The ideal spot should also be one that’s a permanent fixture
• Explain the escape plan to children and ensure that they recognize the sound of the fire alarm and know to check the door for heat and how to stay low to the ground.

Cooking Safely

• Prevent kitchen fires by always staying in the kitchen while cooking food on the stove.
• Move flammable items such as paper towels or pot holders at least three feet from the stove and other heat sources in the kitchen.
• Create a three-foot area around the stove where children and pets are not allowed.
• Keep the cooking area clean and grease-free to avoid potential fires from grease or food splatters.
• In the event of a grease fire, smother it with a lid and turn the burner off. Never attempt to douse this type of fire with water.

Carbon Monoxide Safety

• Recognize the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, which include dizziness, headaches, nausea, and confusion.
• Keep portable generators at least 20 feet from the home, and never use them indoors.
• Carbon monoxide detectors should be placed on every level of the home.
• Every seven years, replace all carbon monoxide detectors in the home.
• All occupants in a home must exit the premises immediately if the carbon monoxide detector sounds.

Miscellaneous Fire Safety Tips

• Do not use extension cords on a long-term basis, and avoid using them with air conditioners or heaters.
• Never use more plugs than a socket is designed for.
• Avoid using combustible chemicals such as charcoal lighter fluid to light a fire in a fireplace.
• Never place a candle near a flammable object such as books, carpets, or drapes.
• Avoid smoking cigarettes while in bed. Cigarettes can set sheets and other nearby objects on fire.

More on Fire Safety

• For Parents: Fire Safety: Visit the KidsHealth website for a list of fire-prevention tips to be shared with the whole family. Electrical appliances, candles, fire extinguisher usage, and smoke alarms are some of the subjects this article covers.
• Fire Safety for Kids: Click this link to go to the Missouri Department of Public Safety’s fire safety Web page. Readers can find statistics on fires and mortality rates as well as advice on how to prevent children from starting fires.
• Fire Safety: Go here to visit the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Web page about fire safety. It features a checklist and links to other fire safety programs in the state.
• Fire Safety for People With Disabilities: Visit West Virginia’s ReadyWV website to read a release from the state fire marshal on protecting real estate and one’s family from fire. It includes information about planning an escape, the proper use of smoke alarms, and other sites with additional information.
• Senior Fire Safety: Those interested in protecting older adults from the risks of fire can click this link to view a brochure by the Seattle Fire Department.

The post Home Fire Safety by Movoto appeared first on Movoto Real Estate Blog.

Welcome to Austin, Texas, home to the best food, music, and greenery in all of Texas. Now you might expect me to mention the Capitol building or the annual Austin City Limits music festival, but did you know that Austin is home to over one million Mexican free-tail bats? Or that the University of Texas at Austin has a pond smack dab in the center of campus with dozens of friendly turtles? However, if you aren’t a bat or turtle enthusiast, don’t worry. There are still plenty of things for you to enjoy. So, sit back and relax as I give you an exclusive, insider’s tour of the best city on earth.

First up on our tour, the thing that everyone loves most: food. Austin was named one of the top twenty foodie cities in America and is home to some of the best restaurants and food trucks in the state. Austin’s food is as diverse as its people; whether you’re searching for a healthy salad or some Korean kimbap, Austin has it all. And if you’re like me, with a huge sweet tooth and even bigger disregard for the freshman fifteen, then places like Voodoo Donuts, a restaurant famous for its quirky donuts, or Lick Honest Ice Cream, a local favorite, are perfect for you.

Now that you’ve eaten your way through the city, you can work off all of the extra calories by exploring some of Austin’s many green spaces. Despite being one of the largest cities in Texas, Austin has over 300 parks, making it the perfect place to take your dog or rowdy kid. The most popular park by far is Zilker, but if you’re looking for somewhere less crowded, Mueller Lake Park and the Waller Creek Conservatory are also great places to see. Austin truly is the best place if you’re looking to get in touch with your nature-loving self without leaving the comfort of the big city.

“Lake at Mueller park” by Michael Coté is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Next up are the aforementioned bats. During the summer and autumn, Austin’s Congress Avenue Bridge becomes home to the largest urban bat colony in the world. At dusk, you can stand on the bridge or take a scenic boat cruise and watch as the bats emerge from the bridge and disappear into the city to fight crime…I mean insects.

“Congress Avenue Bridge” by Stuart Seeger is licensed under CC BY 2.0

And finally, perhaps my favorite thing about Austin is its walls. Despite how odd that may sound, Austin’s walls are the perfect tribute to the city’s liveliness. The many young artists that have made Austin their home have left murals that capture the spirit of the city. On more than one occasion, I have stopped at a random wall for an impromptu photo shoot with friends. So, if you really want to experience Austin, take a walk through downtown. Snap some pictures next to an artsy wall. Stop at a food truck. But most of all, let yourself wander. This city never fails to amaze.

The post Love Where You Live – Joyce Tiong, Austin, TX. appeared first on Movoto Real Estate Blog.

Source: Flickr user Angel Schatz

Missouri may be known as “The Show-Me State,” but our mission with this latest in a series of studies by Movoto Real Estate is to show the state—and the rest of the country—which of its cities are the absolute best places to live. It’s something we’ve done for states including New Jersey, North Carolina, and Michigan so far, and now it’s the gateway to the Midwest’s turn.

Known for its waterways, caves, the Ozarks, and the iconic Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri is also where you’ll find the city of Glendale, which, through our research, we’ve determined to be the best place in the state to live. Folks from Missouri tend to be a skeptical bunch—hence the nickname—but we’ve got the data to back up our claim.

Once we ran all the numbers, we came up with a top 10 list of the best places in Missouri, which includes:

1. Glendale
2. Town and Country
3. Ladue
4. Wildwood
5. Chesterfield
6. Creve Coeur
7. Dardenne Prairie
8. Clayton
9. Ballwin
10. Manchester

There’s a method to how we devise these rankings, and if you keep reading we’ll explain it, as well as go into detail about what makes these places worthy of such high praise.

How We Created This Study

For a state that values the welfare of its people above all else (its motto, Salus populi suprema lex esto, translates from the original Latin to, “The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law”), we knew household income would be a good metric. As for other ways to rank the cities, we decided on seven total criteria:

• Cost of living
• Crime rate
• High school diploma attainment
• Median household income
• Median home value
• Median rent price
• Unemployment rate

Using these criteria, we looked at U.S. Census data for 137 places in the state of Missouri with populations above 5,000. Each place was ranked from one to 137 in the individual criteria, with one being the best possible score. These individual rankings were then averaged into an overall Big Deal Score, with the lowest score being the winner.

The top 10 cities stood out from the rest for a variety of reasons, but they all had some things in common: high median income, low crime, great high school diploma rates, low unemployment, and high home values/rent prices, an indicator of desirability.

You can find a ranking of the top 50 cities in Missouri at the end of this post. Here’s what made the top 10 special:

1. Glendale

Source: City of Glendale

This small city of fewer than 6,000 residents perfectly embodies Missouri’s motto of placing its residents’ welfare above all else. Glendale managed the best average score out of the 137 cities we surveyed, tying for first place in high school diploma attainment with our No. 3 city and placing first in employment.

Ninety-eight percent of Glendale’s residents have at least a high school diploma, and its unemployment rate is a mere 2.2 percent. Crime in the city is low, with 12 total crimes for every one thousand residents annually. Glendale ranked second for median rent price (higher being better, thus more desirable) at $1,773 per month and came in 11th for home value at $319,300.

Ranking first also comes with a price, however, as Glendale is tied for the sixth highest cost of living in Missouri at 32 points above the national average.

2. Town and Country

Source: City of Town and Country

Like Glendale—and all of the cities in our top 10, actually—Town and Country is a suburb of St. Louis. In this case, it’s an affluent one. Home to the Bellerive Country Club, which has hosted both the PGA Tour and US Open, the city has the second-highest median income of any we surveyed at $137,400. Homes there reflect this fact with the median value of $708,900—also second-highest in the state.

Town and Country fall behind Glendale in terms of education, but an impressive 93 percent of its residents still have a diploma (the national average is 59 percent). The crime rate is 14 per 1,000 residents annually. Its rent prices are also lower at $1,042 per month, and its unemployment rate is more than a full point higher at 3.3 percent.

The city’s cost of living is the second-highest in Missouri at 36 points above the U.S. average, but we’re presuming that includes membership to Bellerive?

3. Ladue

You might have noticed that when we called Tony and Country affluent, we didn’t say it was the most affluent city in Missouri. No, that title goes to our No. 3 city, Ladue. This city of close to 9,000 placed first in three categories, including income, home value, and rent price, and tied with Glendale for first in high school graduation.

Ladue’s standout trait is clearly its median household income, which is the highest in the state at $157,120. All that money is important when you consider that the median home value is also the highest on our ranking at $773,000. In fact, the overall cost of living in Ladue is the highest as well as 45 points above the national average.

For all its wins, though, Ladue didn’t do as well when it came to crime and unemployment as our top two. In terms of the first criterion, it sees 18 crimes annually for every 1,000 residents; for the second, it has an unemployment rate of 4.1 percent, placing it 18th in terms of that criterion.

4. Wildwood

Six-figure household incomes are also the norm in Wildwood, whose residents we assume must spend a lot of time outdoors given the city’s multiple state parks, reserves, and trails. When they’re not enjoying nature, they’re living it up in the seventh highest valued homes on our ranking at $354,500. Renting there has a median monthly rate of $95.

When it comes to our other criteria, Wildwood’s results were varied. It was third for high school graduation rates at 97 percent but was then 21st in employment, with an unemployment rate of 4.2 percent. For crime, it was 11th overall at 15 per year per 1,000 people who call Wildwood home.

5. Chesterfield

Source: City of Chesterfield

The largest city to make our top 10 at 47,684 residents as of 2010, Chesterfield is growing at a rapid pace, with new construction (both commercial and residential) booming. Perhaps that will only increase once people hear it’s in our top five?

It got there in part by placing sixth overall in terms of high school graduation (96 percent of its residents have a diploma) and median household income ($97,247 per year). Unemployment was close behind at a low 3.2 percent—maybe some of those still without work should look at a career in construction.

Chesterfield’s cost of living is on the lower end of things for our top 10 at just four points above the national average. Crime in the city occurs at a rate of 16 per 1,000 residents per year.

6. Creve Coeur

Source: City of Creve Coeur

Believed to be named for Creve Coeur Lake to the north, this city, like Wildwood, is known for the large number of parks and recreation options enjoyed by its 17,855 residents. Fortunately, they have the funds to enjoy themselves indoor or out with median household incomes of $94,852, placing the city 10th on our ranking for that criterion.

Homes in Creve Coeur have a median value of $378,200, which makes it fifth in that category. The city only got a higher mark—third place overall—for graduation rate at 97 percent, for which it tied with Wildwood (parks are all they have in common, it seems).

The cost of living in Creve Coeur is 6 percent higher than the U.S. average, while its unemployment rate is 3.9 percent. There are 16 crimes per 1,000 residents each year.

7. Dardenne Prairie

Self-described as “small” and “quaint,” Dardenne Prairie can also be described (by us) as safe. In fact, it’s the safest city in our study, with only eight crimes per 1,000 residents annually.

This safety doesn’t come at the expense of a cost of living bump, as Dardenne Prairie is even with the national average. If you want to live there, you can expect a median home price of $269,900 and median rent of $1,142 per month.

Ninety-five percent of Dardenne Prairie residents have a high school diploma, while the city placed 43rd in terms of employment with a 5.1 percent unemployment rate.

8. Clayton

Source: City of Clayton

Known for its cultural panache, Clayton (currently celebrating its centennial) is home to—among other things—the St. Louis Art Fair, not to mention numerous galleries. We have to wonder, then, if art theft contributed to it having the second-highest crime rate in our top 10 at 20 per 1,000 residents annually.

Apart from that statistic, the city impressed with the third-highest home value ($607,800) and fourth place finish in terms of employment (its unemployment rate is 2.9 percent). High school diploma attainment tied for sixth at 96 percent, while the gainfully employed among its residents earn a median household income of $87,756 annually. This is important as Clayton’s cost of living is near the highest in our study at 23 points above the national average.

9. Ballwin

Source: City of Ballwin

In a first for this top 10, the cost of living in Ballwin is actually below the national average—by five points. That should be worth an extra drink or two at The Wolf, a popular local watering hole. Fortunately, you won’t have to be too worried about being jumped—by a wolf or human—as you leave, since Ballwin ranked fourth for crime at a rate of 12 per 1,000 residents per year.

Households in Ballwin earn a median annual income of $76,589 and homes there have a median price of $233,500, placing the city 17th and 18th overall in those criteria. As for median rent prices, it placed 20th at $908 per month. Ninety-five percent of the city’s residents have a high school diploma, while unemployment there is at 4.8 percent.

10. Manchester

Source: City of Manchester

It might not have ranked as highly in most respects as Ballwin, but Manchester has it beat in one important area: cost of living. Manchester actually has the lowest on our top 10 at seven points less than the U.S. average. It also has a better graduation rate (96 percent) and unemployment rate (3.1 percent).

Manchester’s median household income and median home price is the lowest on our top 10, at $71,071 and $212,100, respectively. Its crime rate is 20 per 1,000 residents per year and its median rent per month is $871.

You’ll Do Well in Missouri

As you can see, Missouri has plenty of top-tier communities that embody the state’s motto. While St. Louis may have acquired a bit of a bad reputation in recent years for a few reasons, it’s worth repeating that all of these cities are actually suburbs of it. They’re its silver—or in the case of Glendale, platinum—lining, if you will.

Like This Post? You’ll Definitely Love These:

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The post These Are the 10 Best Places in Missouri appeared first on Movoto Real Estate Blog.

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<a href="https://www.movoto.com/blog/top-ten/most-exciting-places-in-missouri">The 10 Most Exciting Places In Missouri</a> By Movoto Real Estate

Have you ever wondered what Missouri’s nickname, “The Show Me State,” actually means? Show Me… what, exactly? The money? The way to the bathroom? Where the party at? Of course, it doesn’t mean any of these things—it actually comes from the idea that Missouri residents are somewhat skeptical, derived from a famous speech by Missouri Congressman Willard Vandiver in the late 1800s.

The Movoto Real Estate Blog is starting to think it should mean something more like “Show me the excitement,” because, as it turns out, this state is simply full of it. Of course, some places in the state are more exciting than others—and if you don’t believe us, just take a look at the list below. These are the 10 most exciting places in the Show Me State, starting with our winner, St. Louis.

1. City of St. Louis
2. City of Rolla
3. City of Columbia
4. City of Kansas City
5. City of Branson
6. City of Fulton
7. City of Jefferson City
8. City of Clayton
9. City of Warrensburg
10. City of Springfield

Find out just what makes them so exciting in the following paragraphs, along with an explanation of how we got this ranking.

How We Created This Ranking

Just like Missourians, we need proof before we’ll believe anything. That’s why, when we create a Big Deal List, we rely on the facts and figures. We start by gathering up a list of places; in this case, all of the places in Missouri with a population of 10,000 or more, which ended up being a total of 77. Then we used the U.S. Census and business listings to get the relevant data for seven different criteria:

• Nightlife per capita (bars, clubs, comedy, etc.)
• Live music venues per capita
• Active life options per capita (parks, outdoor activities, etc.)
• Arts and Entertainment per capita (movie theaters, festivals, galleries, theaters, etc.)
• Fast Food restaurants per capita (the fewer the better)
• Percentage of restaurants that are not fast food (the higher the better)
• Percentage of young residents ages 18 to 34 (the higher the better)

We ranked each of the 77 places according to these categories, with a score from 1 to 77; the lower the score, the better. We averaged these rankings into an overall Big Deal Score, again, the lowest being the most exciting. In this case, the honor went to St. Louis, home of the Missouri Botanical Gardens, the St. Louis Zoo, museums, and even a Magic House. More on all of that in just a moment.

If you can’t handle the excitement, you can head down to the bottom of the post where we have a table of the top 50 most exciting places in the state. If you still need some convincing of just how exciting our top 10 are, though, we can Show You the following paragraphs about our winners, starting with the STL.

1. St. Louis

It’s funny; St. Louis may be best known for the Gateway Arch, but it definitely isn’t the most exciting thing about the city. In fact, as our analysis points out, the most exciting thing going on in St. Louis is the nightlife.

For the number of music venues and nightlife per capita, St. Louis ranked second overall. It also ranked second in the category of arts and entertainment, which includes everything from the Missouri Civil War Museum to the Fox Theater, and all the events and festivals in between. To top it off, the STL also ranked as the third-best in terms of activity options such as outdoor sports, and, of course, places like Forest Park.

2. Rolla

Not only is Rolla part of the Ozark Highlands American Viticultural Area, its vineyards established by the first Italian immigrants to the area, but it also came in as one of the 15 best in our analysis for its number of non-fast food restaurants per capita. Rolla residents know that the only thing better than local wine is local wine with some homemade pizza from Alex Pizza Palace.

This city also ranked well for its number of music venues per capita, but where it really shined was in its young population. Because this city is home to Missouri University of Science and Technology, 43 percent of its residents are between the ages of 18 and 34; the fifth youngest place on our overall list.

3. Columbia

Columbia has a reputation as the center for education, culture, and athletic competition in Missouri. It’s the largest city in Mid-Missouri, home to the University of Missouri, Stephens College, and Columbia College, and is a progressive center for politics, journalism, and art. So really, it’s no wonder it ranked so well in our list.

Specifically, Columbia earned points for its number of nightlife and music venues per capita, plus a whopping 44 percent of its residents are between the ages of 18 and 34. Columbia is a good place to bar hop, or, if that’s not your cup of excitement, hop to a local ice creamery like Sparky’s, where, trust us, the lavender honey is all the excitement you’ll need.

4. Kansas City

With almost 460,000 residents, Kansas City is easily the largest place not just in our top 10, but in the state, so—perhaps not surprisingly—it has a lot going on. Specifically, Kansas City ranked well for its number of nightlife and music venues per capita; places like the Green Lady Lounge, Manifesto, and RecordBar.

It also had one of the best scores in the arts category, for places like the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, several galleries, and events like First Fridays. So, if you’re looking to visit Kansas City for some excitement, be sure you head to the one this side of the state line.

5. Branson

Branson may be a city of just over 10,000, the smallest in our top 10, but as our analysis shows, size certainly doesn’t matter. Not only is Branson a nature lover’s paradise, located in the beautiful Ozark Mountains, but it’s also a veritable smorgasbord of nightlife.

All along 76 Country Boulevard and Shepherd of the Hills Expressway are clubs, restaurants, theaters, and various little gems for entertainment. Branson isn’t just a great stop for nightlife, music, and arts—it’s the stop. In our analysis, it ranked No. 1 in all three of these categories, and for its active lifestyle options, making this little city one hopping spot.

6. Fulton

Fulton ranked slightly better than Jefferson City for a couple of reasons, but mostly due to the fact that it is home to both Westminster College and William Woods University. Because of this, Fulton has one of the highest concentrations of young people on our list (37 percent between the ages of 18 and 34).

What do young people like? Whoa now, before you go overgeneralizing and say “bars,” “booze,” or “partying,” take a look at how Fulton ranked in the nightlife category: 32nd place. It would seem as though the folks in Fulton are slightly more sophisticated than your average college kid, instead preferring the arts (where it ranked 10th) or fine cuisine (it ranked 15th in non-fast food).

7. Jefferson City

Even though it’s the capital, Jefferson City is still relatively small, with just over 43,000 residents, and smaller still is its population of residents between the ages of 18 and 34: just 25 percent. But as our analysis showed, that certainly doesn’t mean that Jefferson City is lacking in excitement.

Just look at its nightlife rank: 10th out of all 77 places we looked at. And with a variety of sporting goods stores, gyms, and places like Runge Nature Center, Jefferson City ranked ninth best in terms of active life options. As if that wasn’t enough excitement for you, the capital city also ranked well for its amount of arts and entertainment per capita, like movie theaters, art galleries, and the Missouri State Museum, just to name a few.

8. Clayton

As our analysis showed, Clayton is anything but boring. First of all, with Fontbonne University, Concordia Seminary, and part of Washington University St. Louis, 33 percent of this city’s residents are between the ages of 18 and 34.

It also ranked well for its restaurant options; specifically for its lack of fast food rank (15th) and for its number of actual restaurants (as in, non-fast food) per capita. Just a few examples of said restaurants include Niche, Almond’s, Barcelona Tapas, Crushed Red, the Libertine… okay, we could go on like this for a while. The point is, Clayton has a variety of delicious original fare.

9. Warrensburg

Home to the University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg is a true college town. As in, with just over 18,000 residents, nearly half of them (49 percent) are between the ages of 18 and 34.

Because of this, Warrensburg is dotted with places like Old Barney’s, making Warrensburg one of the top 15 places for both its nightlife and music venues per capita.

While this college town didn’t exactly wow us with its number of restaurants per capita, it did at least rank within the top 25 in this category.

10. Springfield

Springfield came in at No. 10 for a number of reasons, starting with its high percentage of people between the ages of 18 and 34 (34 percent). That’s because Springfield is the home to several universities, including Missouri State—which probably also explains the high number of nightlife, music venues, and arts and entertainment per capita.

Famous among these are the Grotto, Mud Lounge, Ernie Biggs, and of course, the Ozarks Beerfest. And even though Springfield didn’t rank as one of the best for its number of non-chain restaurants per capita, we feel the offerings it does have really help make up for this.

Show Me The Excitement!

As our analysis showed us, Missouri’s excitement certainly wasn’t hard to find, especially in these 10 cities. From the festivals and events in St. Louis to famously delicious crepes in Springfield, these places proved that you don’t have to be big to be exciting. After all, just look at Independence—this large city didn’t even make the top 50. Perhaps it’s time to take a vacation in Branson?

Like This Post? You’ll Definitely Love These:

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The post These Are The 10 Most Exciting Places In Missouri appeared first on Movoto Real Estate Blog.