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Post by chris on Sept 4, 2007 20:15:48 GMT -5
Does anyone have any thoughts, good or bad, about any of the region 7 offices or the cities in which they are located?
Creve Coeur, MO Kansas City Omaha, NE Springfield, MO St Louis Des Moines, IA Wichita, KS
Unfortunately I had no time to research any cities or offices when the application opened back in May. I'm trying to do my research now. While I didn't list "all" as my options, I probably listed more cities than I should have.
Thanks,
Chris
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Post by nonamouse on Sept 5, 2007 11:23:39 GMT -5
Creve Coeur is part of metro St. Louis (west of downtown). It is a nice upper middleclass suburb IMO. I had a friend whose parents lived there. It depends on who you are when considering whether or not you would like to be in that ODAR office. I've known some minority employees who did not enjoy their time in that office at all. If you went there as an ALJ, I'm not sure what the reaction would be if you are not white. Just something to think about.
I lived in Kansas City for a while in the early '90's. I actually like it better as a city because it feels more western and friendly. There are some scary high crime areas and some lovely areas with nice homes, shopping and parks. What I found unusual was that these areas are many times only a block or two apart. Lots of folks live right over the state line in Johnson County, KS. KCMO used to charge city income tax whether you lived or worked in their city just to get some of the revenue because of the large numbers of people who commute from the KS side. KCKS is not as nice an area. A bit more run down IMO.
KCMO can get quite hot in the summer and have the occasional ice storm in the winter. If seeing a huge spring storm bearing down on you across the flat plains would freak you or your family out, then I would not recommend KCMO. Personally, I love the wide open spaces feel of the area. IMO, St. Louis feels more like an eastern city in manners and friendliness and even in the style of buildings. FYI, the "south county" area of St. Louis heading out of town is where the KKK tried to adopt the highway about 10 years ago. It speaks to the mindset of a number of the people in that part of the metro.
Springfield, MO is a little city in the SW part of the state in the Ozark mountains. It is close to the Lake of the Ozarks and Branson if that type of thing appeals to you. The area is very dense with trees and in the mountains. It has a lot of trucking and sits on I-44. It is about one hour from Joplin and the state line with OK, AR & KS in the "4 corners" area. It used to be the last chance for Braum's ice cream in MO. (A family owned OK chain that has fabulous ice cream at reasonable prices.)
Wichita, KS sits on the plains in south KS very close to OK. You can reach OKC in about 3 hours of easy driving. It is close enough to go to KCMO for the weekend also. There is a military base there. It is very flat. The city is a decent size with a variety of shopping. They have an arts area with lofts and studios. Same deal about severe storm season as KCMO.
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Post by chris on Sept 5, 2007 18:52:18 GMT -5
Thanks Nonamouse. Lost of good information.
I've eaten at Braum's in Texas but wasn't aware they went that far north.
If anyone has info about the ODAR offices in this region that they don't want to post to the Board, remember that there is a message function where you can send registered members a private message.
Thanks,
Chris
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