Whether you’re moving across the country or across the street, moving can be a stressful time. Moving to any new city comes with its obstacles, but they can be easily overcome with a little know-how. Mainly, getting to know your new city and all it has to offer can make the difference between being excited for a move and dreading it.
If you’re relocating to Union, Missouri, you’re in for a treat. Whether you’re moving within the county or moving into the area for the first time, you’ll be greeted with tons of history, culture and community. From the acres of parkland to wine county, this guide to moving to Union, Missouri, will be your one-stop shop for the move.
Union, Missouri, is full of small-town charm, making it ideal for country picnics and Sunday strolls. But those who prefer something a little more thrilling can also find plenty to enjoy in this quaint area.
If you’re wondering what to do in Union, Missouri, wonder no more. Here are some of the most popular and most entertaining sites and activities to experience in the city.
Located in nearby St. Louis, Six Flags Amusement Park offers fun for the whole family, including rides, dining and shopping. Spend the day enjoying the waterpark and its refreshing family fun or indulge in some thrill rides, like The Boomerang rollercoaster.
The park also holds events and activities for all ages and has rides specifically designed for kids and families as well. Live events and entertainment mark special days of the year or just fun activities according to season. If rides aren’t your thing, there are plenty of traditional and specialty shops to indulge the shopaholic in you.
When those bellies start to grumble, there is an assortment of restaurants from where you can grab a snack or a whole meal. Cuisines range from classic American burgers and fries to flavorful Asian. Snacks include everything from pretzels to popcorn, and many vegetarian options are available as well.
The City of Union, Missouri, is proud to boast over 122 acres of parkland for the general public. Two standout parks are Meramec State Park, on the Meramec River, and Robertsville State Park, which is bordered by both the Meramec and Calvey Creek. The proximity to bodies of water makes these state parks ideal for camping, hiking, swimming and other outdoor recreational activities.
The City of Union is also home to its own Splash-n-Swimplex, which offers water-based activities and swimming lessons for kids of all ages.
In nearby St. Louis, the Shaw Nature Reserve and the Missouri Botanical Garden allow visitors to explore historic buildings and well-curated wildlife areas. It was established in 1859, making it the oldest botanical garden continuously in operation in the United States.
Country clubs and golf courses also are easily accessible from Union, Missouri, including the Birch Creek Golf Club and the Country Club of St. Albans, which also features a vast golf course.
Believe it or not, Missouri has a history of winemaking that dates all the way back to the 1850s. It was a thriving industry right up until Prohibition in the 1920s, but it saw a rebirth in the 1960s that continues today. Missouri is known for being the producer of the lush and robust Norton wine.
With many local, quaint bed and breakfasts around, it’s tempting — and easy — to take a weekend to explore the wineries and sample some of Missouri’s best creations.
In 1794, Wiliam Hughes founded the very first settlement in the area now known as Union, Missouri. The City of Union was established in 1825 with the specific purpose of being the county seat for the newly created Franklin County, which separated from St. Louis County seven years before.
Franklin County’s very first settlers were the French fur traders and trappers, as well as miners. After that, Anglo-Americans started migrating up from Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and the Carolinas. The original 72.5-acres of land on which the City of Union was build was donated by three farmers when residents expressed a desire for a more central county seat.
In the 1820s, the county saw an influx of German settlers, who continued to stream into the area through the turn of the century. There are still remnants of Germans’ influence on culture and architecture in Franklin County today.
With many residents commuting to nearby St. Louis and Washington, the need for a railroad was born, and the St. Louis-Kansas City and Colorado Railroad was built, passing through Union. Eventually, this railroad was bought out by Rock Island Railroad. Today, the railroad passing through Union carries only freight.
An employment boom in the early 1900s was the direct result of a group of local business leaders who created National Cob Pipe Works, Union’s first successful factory. These local business leaders saw the number of semi-skilled laborers in Union and opened the factory to create jobs for them. Their first order was for 1,000 pipes for a tobacco company in Chicago, and eight years later, the company was manufacturing around 5 million pipes a year.
If you’re moving to Union, Missouri, you probably want to know why the city is such a great place to live, as well as more about what life is like for locals. One of the best parts of living in Union, Missouri, is experiencing small-town charm while being just a stone’s throw away from the two bustling metropolises of St. Louis and Washington.
With all the charm and safety of a small town without the isolation, Union is a great place to raise a family. With its sparsely populated suburban landscape, plenty of nature and parks nearby as well as the Splash-n-Swimplex, Union allows for plenty of activities and fun to keep families healthy and active.
The city-run parks, which span 122 acres — provide opportunities for bike rides, hikes and even water sports. Local YMCAs benefit families with a one-stop shop for exercise, activities and socializing. Local festivals, like the Franklin County Fair, provide live music and games and activities for all ages.
Union’s East Central College’s Fine and Performing Arts Center has numerous shows and other events, which are open to the public. They range from festivals and film screenings to art exhibitions, concerts and other live performances, like poetry readings.
The city also has a city-wise CodeRED Weather Warning, a free opt-in service available to all residents of Union. This telephone-based alert warns residents of Union of any warnings from the National Weather Services about tornadoes, severe thunderstorms or flash flooding.
With St. Louis and Washington a short distance away, Union is one of the best areas to live for those who work in the big city. With plenty of local businesses around, the city also enjoys a lower unemployment rate.
Local businesses include various manufacturers — from children’s play equipment and aluminum to souvenirs and gifts — and construction companies, pharmaceutical companies and transportation businesses.
There are many independent shops as well. However, most of the residents of Union — about 40% — make their income in the service industry, with manufacturing taking a close second. The majority of Union’s residents — 48.3% — are white-collar workers.
Another perk of raising a family in Union, Missouri, is the access to several schools in the city and surrounding areas — from elementary to secondary schools, as well as a college.
East Central College was established in the 1960s for the youth of central Missouri, with classes taking place at Union City Hall before 114 acres of land were purchased to develop the main campus. Today, East Central College has an enrollment of approximately 3,500 students.
The City of Union is also home to a Compass Health Network medical center, which provides:
The center also accepts major health insurance, making it accessible to most. In addition to the Compass Health Network, there are a handful of other medical clinics, served by the Mercy network, to serve residents of Union and Washington.
On your relocation checklist should be a point to notify crucial people and government bodies of your upcoming move. But figuring out who exactly needs to be informed and who you can wait to inform can be tricky, so our guide to moving to Union, Missouri, includes this short list of the key people to notify:
The idea of changing insurance when moving can be daunting and can feel like an added stress, but it doesn’t have to be that complicated. Just keep the following three tips in mind for a smooth relocation:
Depending on which type of insurance you’re seeking — home or auto — you may want to have an additional list of questions to have answered, such as:
If you’re really stuck, it’s always a good idea to talk to an insurance professional and get their advice. Insurance is a crucial part of life, and it can be especially stressful when relocating to a brand new place.
If you’re in need of new home or auto insurance after a move, David Pope Insurance Services is ready to help. We’ll help you compare quotes and provide you the very best rates possible. Choose from a variety of insurance types, including condominium insurance, motorcycle insurance or life insurance, and rest easy knowing you’re covered.
Get in touch today for more information or to request a quote.