10 Wrong Reasons Why People Say They Won’t Move to Missouri

People are free to do or not do whatever they want within the confines of the law. However, I've just heard 10 reasons people use to explain why they won't move to Missouri and I feel the need to debate every single one of them.

A major YouTube channel World According To Briggs with well over a million subscribers shared this interesting list that just came up under my "recommended" feed and I'm sure glad it did. Their video "The Shocking Truths Why People Won't Move to Missouri" is an eye-opener. Oh, and I can prove every point wrong or at least I'll try.

In defense of World According to Briggs, they also debated some of the reasons people gave them in their surveys and said (and I quote) "Missouri is a great state with a lot to offer". That's the one thing I agree with them about. Before I pick it apart, check out their video.

Now, let's deal with each of their points:

10. Unpredictable Weather

There are two ways to look at Missouri weather. Perhaps the outside world thinks Missouri has half-mile wide tornadoes every other day, but those of us that live here know big twisters are a rather rare occasion. A few years ago, I lived in a western state that had what felt like 9 months of winter and 3 months of half-spring, half-fall. I'll take the 4 distinct seasons of Missouri any day.

9. Prone to Natural Disasters

Yes, Missouri's southern border does exist next to the most seismically-active areas in America, but the state hasn't had a truly damaging earthquake in decades. I'll give them a half point for the potential of a large New Madrid quake in the next 30 years. I'll also acknowledge that Missouri has had its share of tragic flooding, but we're talking about maybe once every two decades or so. Definitely not a reason to avoid relocating to Missouri.

8. High Crime Rate

A fair criticism, but only for 3 specific parts of Missouri and really only confined areas inside each of them. Yes, St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield, Missouri have high crime rates. The rest of Missouri? It's like the old TV show Green Acres or Mayberry with Andy Griffith.

7. Low Income

I'm not an economist, so I'm a little out of my league, but I do know one thing. The lower income in parts of Missouri also comes with a lower cost of living compared to other places. Missouri cost of living is lower than the national average and you'll definitely enjoy buying gas in Missouri compared to almost any other state.

6. High Poverty Rate

This is another complex issue. Yes, Wikipedia shows that Missouri's poverty rate is higher than the national average, BUT it's also much lower than many other states.

5. Low Education Level

This criticism always gripes me. You cannot (I repeat) cannot judge the intelligence of a state simply by how much school was completed. I have many Missouri friends who had to drop out of school to help their families survive by taking on full-time jobs. They graduated from the school of hard knocks and many work in trades where their skills exceed that of your best college graduate.

4. Health Care

I'll give them this one. Missouri Medicaid is awful. Good luck trying to get someone (anyone) to answer their phone. I dare you.

3. High Tax Burden

Give me a break. Even the YouTuber says this is ridiculous. The fact that their survey respondents complained about taxes is to be expected. Everyone hates taxes. Missouri's state taxes are lower than just about any other state. Missouri Budget Project says Missouri taxes are nearly 5% lower than 26 other states.

2. Conservative Climate

I'm not a political person, but saying people won't move to a state because it leans (admittedly heavy) one way or another is ridiculous. For one type of person, it would be THE reason to move to Missouri. I would say the same if they were complaining about Missouri being a blue state.

1. Low Quality of Life?

I added the question mark because what determines your quality of life will be affected more by your specific life situation than the state you're in. Are you a happy and/or optimistic person? Do you like your career? Do you have family and friends who you love and who love and care about you? How you answer those questions is much more important than the state you live in.

Final Thoughts

I was born and raised in Missouri and then my career took me elsewhere for a half dozen years. I did everything I could do to relocate back home where my friends and family are. That's one reason why I take it personal when I see a narrative trying to paint my home state with a broad brush of stereotypes. Most simply aren't true. Frankly, I could live in almost any state in America, yet I chose to be here. I'll leave it at that.