Small rural town has NO public transportation to urban medical and cultural centers over 50 miles away - must drive to work in city college of ST Louis.  There is a small private college in town that offers limited resources for seniors to engage in group events. The city maintains streets and utilities within city limits, generally housing costs are low to medium for the single family and apartment dwellings. It's hard to find good maintanence services for homeowners, many homes are rundown in states of disrepair due to this. Climate has higher temperature swings in wi yet months-- from 60s down to zero, sometimesbelow. Often temp varies 20 degrees in one day. There is a senior center offers midday meals Mon- Fri for reasonable cost, a grocery and drug store also in town -- for major medical and maintanence issues you must drive quite a ways to find service .

Very low crime rate, walkable routes at all hours to small grocery and convenience store/gas stations. Affordable housing and services for the most part are available. Senior center includes a salad bar M-F limited hours for all ages, other restaurants are diner, chinese, mexican, pizza, subway. Limited work for seniors --the college will not hire seniors in favor of those younger who can have a longer career. Other employment is basic minimum wage stuff. Friendly environment, one nature trail through the "gullies", some biking routes and a town bicycling group. Churches are active and serve as community centers. For living wage you must drive 45 minutes into larger area like Belleville or St Louis