Currently I live in Slidell, LA and have been a reader of this forum for quite awhile. I have been following Unclemick, who gratis of KATRINA, relocated to Missouri. Since Missouri (Columbia area specifically) is on my retirement radar, I am most curious about the cost of living. From Unclemick's posts, can I conclude that Missouri is a far more expensive place to live as a retiree than was LA...or are the increased costs primarily due to continuing relocation expenses?