Tucked away in the southeastern corner of Missouri, where the famous Bootheel creates that distinctive state shape on the map, lies a town that feels like it exists in its own delightful time zone.

In the southeastern corner of Missouri, where rolling farmland meets small-town charm, Sikeston stands as a hidden gem for those seeking affordability without sacrificing quality of life.

I was a student at Western Colorado University in Gunnison, Colorado, when my professor told our class he had a message for ...