I have a feeling that I'm about to share an unpopular opinion, but I don't care. I'm prepared to defend my theory that Canton, Missouri might be the most underrated town in the tri-state area. Change my mind.

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I rarely write anything about myself because frankly I don't find myself that interesting. However, in this case I'll use me and my family as an example. Before I talk about my Canton, Missouri theory, please allow me to rewind first.

I was born and raised in Hannibal. Many believe that I never really matured (and that's fair), but I did get older there. That's a fact. I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Hannibal. Most of my family and friends still live there. However, when my family decided it was time to buy a house again, we didn't find much in Hannibal that fit us. The pace of life has also changed a bit in Hannibal compared to how it used to be. That's just my subjective sense (which I admit may be flawed)..

My family has been renting in Quincy for the past nearly two years and I also have a fond place in my heart for Quincy. The town and its people have always been good to me and I'm not leaving, but it's not the place I chose to buy a house either. (Looking at you, Illinois property taxes)

Why do I have a deep conviction that Canton is underrated anyway?

During my more than 50 years on Earth (Editor's Note: WAY more), I have heard so many give Canton folks a hard time for differing reasons. River town, flyover country, etc. The place you stop to get gas, maybe a burger then you move on. Guess what? Canton is more than that. Dare I say that the town has a certain charm to it. 

During my family's house search, we visited a lot of places...a lot of great places. But, it was during our time cruising around Canton that I noticed something. As we would drive down the road, everybody waved hello. Without exception. Sound hokey to you? I understand, but it's meaningful to me. I've always believed that when you make eye contact with someone, you say hello even if you've never met them before. Same with driving. Drive by someone? Acknowledge them politely. Be neighborly. That's what I've found in Canton.

OK, fine. So you think Canton, Missouri is great. So what?

This is one case where I'm putting my life where my mouth is. Thanks to the help of an absolutely brilliant realtor named Jennifer (and no, she's not paying me to say this), we bought a house in Canton and that will be our home moving forward. It's where I want my kids to grow up. A place where neighbors still wave at each other and be...neighborly. That's what I've found in this town that I do really believe is underrated and no, I won't change my mind...neighbor.

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