Montgomery City has a small-town feel with access to amenities
Located in east-central Missouri, just north of the Ozarks region, Montgomery City offers a calm lifestyle with access to nature and essential conveniences. “It’s a growing city that still has a rural atmosphere,” says Sherry Raleigh-Adams, a broker associate with Millennium Five Real Estate who has lived in the region for about 20 years. It functions as the Montgomery County seat and, with a population of around 3,000, neighbors often get to know each other, creating a small-town feel. Amenities include a grocery store, medical clinics and dental care, which allows residents to stay close to home for most needs. Proximity to larger cities puts additional services within reach as well.
Spacious lots and relatively low housing costs in Montgomery City
While some residences date back to the late 1800s, most homes were built after 1960, and there are even a few new builds. Ranch-style houses and bungalows are prevalent, and other options include Cape Cods and Colonial Revivals. Tall hardwood trees and sidewalks line the edges of many streets. Yards tend to be grassy and fairly large, providing space for gardens, play areas or outbuildings.
The city’s relatively low housing costs attract some newcomers. The median sale price is around $190,000, compared with $250,000 in Warrenton and $280,000 in Columbia. Fixer-uppers typically sell between $50,000 and $110,000, but most sales run from around $110,000 to $300,000. Newer homes on large lots may range from $330,000 to $410,000.
Montgomery County schools offer student support and extracurriculars
One of the draws for families is the public school system, which only has about 1,000 students but offers support services and extracurricular activities. Each of the community’s schools has dedicated special education teachers, and the elementary school also employs a speech and language pathologist. Montgomery City Elementary School gets a C rating from Niche. Montgomery County Middle School also earns a C, and Montgomery County High School receives a B-minus. The middle and high schools share a campus, and students can participate in band, cheerleading and a variety of sports. Some parents send their kids to Immaculate Conception School, a private school that offers prekindergarten through eighth grade.
Outdoor recreation ranges from city-run parks to Ozarks exploration
The community has several recreation areas, including Wabash Park, which features lighted sports courts, a playground and a picnic pavilion. Both Colbert and Norwood parks offer similar amenities. At New Momentum Fitness Center, locals can choose a class that suits their fitness goals, and the nine-hole Wildcat Golf Course is open to the public.
Montgomery City’s proximity to the Ozarks region also opens up opportunities for outdoor exploration. One nearby destination is the nearly 400-acre Graham Cave State Park, less than 10 miles away, where visitors can hike, camp and launch their boats into the Loutre River.
Residents shop locally or drive to Warrenton for big-box stores
Montgomery City’s small downtown district, near the intersection of state routes 19 and 161, includes a hardware store, a few clothing shops and a florist. Bratchers Market is the community’s grocery. “They cater to local tastes,” Adams says. “People generally drive into Warrenton for whatever Montgomery City doesn’t have.” Warrenton is home to several popular chains, including Walmart Supercenter and Rural King.
Dining options consist of fast-food restaurants and several locally owned spots. “Bundy’s Burgers & Ice Cream is a wonderful little restaurant — I don’t think I’ve ever had anything that wasn’t excellent,” Raleigh-Adams says. “It’s mostly just bar-type food, but they don’t scrimp on anything.” Another local favorite is Dos Primos Restaurant, which serves Mexican food in a vibrantly decorated dining area.
Annual events like HomeTown Christmas and the Montgomery County Fair
The chamber of commerce helps to organize many of the annual events, such as HomeTown Christmas — a three-day festival with activities throughout the city. Kids can stop by Santa’s workshop tent to meet the elves and give Santa their wish lists, and local businesses set up lighted displays in the drive-through light show at the fairgrounds. “The businesses give out gifts to people as they go by,” Raleigh-Adams says.
Summer celebrations include a Fourth of July fireworks display and the multiday Montgomery County Fair, which kicks off with a parade through downtown. “They get a pretty good turnout for the fair — residents from three counties come,” Raleigh-Adams says.
Most people rely on cars for travel, and I-70 is nearby
OATS Transit provides limited by-request bus service, but the city is largely car dependent. State routes 161 and 19 connect with Interstate 70 about 7 miles south. Warrenton is around 25 miles east, and both Jefferson City and Columbia are less than 60 miles away.
Associated Medical Arts and the Arthur Center Community Health-Montgomery City offer primary care, and a private dental practice is also available. The Hermann Area District Hospital is roughly 25 miles south, and the Columbia Regional Airport is about 55 miles away. Freight trains frequently pass through the community, which can cause traffic delays and noise pollution.
