Worst things about Cape Girardeau nobody talks about
Curious what people think. I'm single, late 40s, and With a population of 40,047, Cape Girardeau is a smaller city. Poverty rate is 9.9%, which is pretty low. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Worth the trade-offs? There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
19 upvotes
7 Replies
Xavier Jones
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The safety is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
39 upvotes
Lauren E.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 4 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Anna Myers
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
36 upvotes
Michael A.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
35 upvotes
Sophia K.
underrated comment
23 upvotes
Aubrey P.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 35, moved here 4 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Fairview and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The healthcare situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Portland, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
17 upvotes
Isabelle Peterson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
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