I go to Rolla fairly regularly. Strikes me as a sleepy little city that would probably be pretty nice to live in if you’re not looking for tons of excitement. Even S&T students seem like a pretty earnest and hardworking bunch: they’re still college kids, of course, but it’s not a party school

I live in a much smaller community and while it’s kind of desolate-looking, hollowed out by poverty and addiction and is far enough from a park or a school to harbor lots of registered sex offenders, I haven’t actually encountered major problems with crime here. I know it goes on, because local arrests make the news and I can see the sheriff coming through again, but it honestly doesn’t impact me.

I mind my own business, don’t do drugs, don’t hang out with messy people, and warn my kids to be aware of their surroundings and not to be overly deferential to strangers.

Other than having a couple of bikes wheel themselves out of an unlocked shed, I’ve not had personal crime issues even in an area with crime problems. knocks on wood

It’s not utopia but fuck a bunch of paying outrageous housing costs. And yes, the natural beauty is hard to beat. And the people who aren’t in thrall to meth/pills/whatever can be some colorful, wonderful characters