I recently took to Facebook and asked the question, "What’s one thing you dislike about living in West Central Missouri?" You gave me answers, and I present them here.

These kinds of questions can be social media landmines sometimes because they can generate a lot of snarky responses. Not to mention those unhappy about living here, or who don't want to be here anymore can dump on an area unfairly if they feel like it. Of course, it can also go the other way, with a bunch of snarky, silly, comments that don't answer the question. You can also get the people who love an area upset just by asking the question.

Most answered the question this time in the spirit it was intended. Yes, generally, we like where we live and work and that there are plenty of things to like about living in West Central Missouri, but yeah, there are certain things based on our experience that can be a little bit of a drawback when you live in areas like we do.

For example, I really enjoy Italian Food. Between Sedalia and Warrensburg I can't think of one good Italian restaurant locally I can just go to. We have Fazoli's, but it's not like you can go on a date to Fazoli's. There are pizza places too, but once again, while I like Pizza Hut and Mazzio's, and I might be inclined to go to either place if I want to go out for pizza. I'm not thinking of either place for a plate of Chicken Parm or Lasagna. Or parking it in a booth at either place if I'm looking at taking someone out on a date, unless of course, it's a pizza date.

No, I'm probably going to find a place in Kansas City or Columbia and make the drive for that, because it's just how it is.

So without further delay, here's what you told me you dislike about living in West Central Missouri:

It's Not On The Beach

Lisa dislikes that West Central Missouri isn't on the beach. True, we're not on the beach, however, there's always Lake of The Ozarks and Truman Lake. It's not the same as being on the ocean or having one of the Great Lakes at the doorstep of Sedalia or Warrensburg or Clinton, but it's better than nothing.

Drugs

Doug hates our area's drug problems, while Ryan points out that drugs are everywhere now. Ryan has a point, I think it's hard to escape the drug problem wherever you live. However, West Central Missouri wasn't that far from the meth lab capital of the world, The Ozarks, in 2004-2005. Not to mention it's still an ongoing problem our area needs to continue to work on.

No Reliable Commuter Train to Kansas City 

Bryan doesn't like that there isn't a reliable commuter train serving West Central Missouri and Kansas City. We do have Amtrak's Missouri River Runner, but it certainly isn't a viable daily option for those who'd like to live in West Central Missouri and work in Kansas City and would like to not drive every day. Commuter service would certainly change West Central Missouri.

International Flights Cost More 

Dana doesn't like the fact that flying to International Destinations out of Kansas City or St. Louis costs more than say flying out of Chicago or New York City because neither of our airports is a major traffic hub with lots of international flights. That said, domestically, prices aren't as bad flying out of Kansas City or St. Louis as some other smaller cities like The Quad Cities or Lubbock deal with.

A Small Local Kind of Amusement Park For The Family

Erin talks about how back home her area had a "mini amusement park" with a few rides, a wave pool, water slides, lazy river. It sounds like she's talking about a very nicely equipped water park or some type of entertainment destination. We've recently gotten an arcade here in Sedalia, and Warrensburg does have an outdoor aquatic center, with one planned for Sedalia. There's also Leisure Park in Sedalia, which comes closest to what Erin envisions. That said, no, at this point there isn't a one-stop family entertainment destination. For that, you're heading to Kansas City, St. Louis, or Branson.

Extremes in Weather Conditions (Too Hot / Too Cold)

There were a few different complaints about our climate. Denise isn't a fan of the hot summers. Yvette doesn't like the humidity. Melissa doesn't like "fake fall", and Rachel doesn't like the cold winters. Perhaps we'd all be happier moving to Northern California, somewhere an hour or so from San Diego? I hear they have the most perfect weather. Or how about importing that weather here? That would be almost perfect. I hear you.

Allergies

Calico Road Vintage Store mentioned allergies. I'm with you. Living in West Texas I didn't have to deal with my allergies. We had dust, but dust doesn't bother me. It's the pollen and the stuff nature spews that makes my nose run like Niagra Falls. My first summer here was horrible until I started taking an allergy pill every day.

Too Far From A Lot of Stuff

Wendi thinks we're too far from stuff. Now this is one of those things that's dependent on your life experience and where you've been. She lived in Ohio as a kid and she could get almost anywhere in six to eight hours. Chicago, New York City, Niagra Falls, Canada, and so much more. West Central Missouri is about eight hours from some big cities like Chicago and Dallas, but that's pushing it a little bit. Outside of St. Louis, Kansas City, and Branson, you're probably looking at a good day's drive to get to a big city with stuff to do.

One thing I think most of us will agree on though, is the community we have in West Central Missouri. We're friendly and neighborly and that's something you can't say about a lot of places. That's one of the major things that's made me fall in love with West Central Missouri despite some of the things we don't have. By the way, Heroes in Warrensburg has an excellent Chicken Parmigiana dinner if you're looking for a good Italian meal.