Any South Western Ozark Information or Homesteaders here?

[bobincolombia]

This seems to be a VERY active forum with lots of information, more so than a couple others I've seen. LOTS of info here.

I need a little information, I've been living on a farm in South America for several years, I'm thinking of moving a little closer to Home Depot.

Climate is a top priority; don’t like extreme heat, cold or humidity. (I know this is going to be tough) My wife and I visited the South Western Missouri Ozarks and like the nice greenery and hills north and south of Springfield near the water, specifically between Stockton and Cassville, in April the climate was nice.

I know the Ozarks have four seasons and I’ve been there several times, just not stayed a whole season, however I am told while the summers in SW MO are hot and the winters cold but not as hot or cold or as long as other Midwestern states such as IL, IN, OH, WI, MN etc.

I follow the weather on the Internet but know it's not accurate as far as the temperature and humidity is concerned, Is there anyone living in the area that can give me some information about the area?

I'm also open to other states that may have a nice year around climate without going into extremes for a nice country living. (such as KY) Born in Chicago and lived in Arizona so I've already ruled those states out.

[WindSongAcres]

Hi - we're about 90 miles southeast of Springfield, MO - small town of West Plains - population about 15000 - college town. We came for the winters and the low taxes. We're very happy with the winter climate - just enough for the 4 seasons. Here we don't get alot of snow - they say ice could be a bigger problem than the snow. We've been here 6 years and haven't had a problem getting around in the winter. I've heard that there's a snow/cold line that runs along the Interstate 44 line - north of that line is colder with more snow.
We call home to family weekly (northeastern PA) and in winter we're usually calling to say "how's being snowed in"? It's been a great move for us - hope you find your perfect place.

[bobincolombia]

Hi & thanks for the info. I may have been in the West Plains area in April, (I think, I don't have my map handy) we traveled south of Rolla to a town called Willow Springs then we traveled west to Springfield and Cassville, then north to Stockton, the entire section is great. Will return in late Jan. to get a feel of the winter, and hopefully have some leads on some property to look at. Thanks again.

[FolioMark]

Well I live in central Illinois but am about to retire to my 12 acres, 17 miles south of Lebanon in Laclede County. Winters in the Ozarks are definitely easier than those in Illinois, except that the last two years have had some exceptionally cold weather. Icey and snowy but the mess doesnt last long.
Ive been there in shirt sleeves and shorts for Thanksgiving and by late march, early april its wonderful. Summers can be hot and humid. Its not the Deep South but it will do. On a par with Illinois, though it can be a bit cooler in the mountains. You learn to work in the mornings and late afternoon evenings and rest in the cool in the heat of the day. You could choose worse places than the Ozarks. Good luck.

[pcdreams]

Originally Posted by bobincolombia

This seems to be a VERY active forum with lots of information, more so than a couple others I've seen. LOTS of info here.

I need a little information, I've been living on a farm in South America for several years, I'm thinking of moving a little closer to Home Depot.

Climate is a top priority; don’t like extreme heat, cold or humidity. (I know this is going to be tough) My wife and I visited the South Western Missouri Ozarks and like the nice greenery and hills north and south of Springfield near the water, specifically between Stockton and Cassville, in April the climate was nice.

I know the Ozarks have four seasons and I’ve been there several times, just not stayed a whole season, however I am told while the summers in SW MO are hot and the winters cold but not as hot or cold or as long as other Midwestern states such as IL, IN, OH, WI, MN etc.

I follow the weather on the Internet but know it's not accurate as far as the temperature and humidity is concerned, Is there anyone living in the area that can give me some information about the area?

I'm also open to other states that may have a nice year around climate without going into extremes for a nice country living. (such as KY) Born in Chicago and lived in Arizona so I've already ruled those states out.

You want heat then SWMO is the place to go. hot enough 9 mths of the year to roast. Nice the other 3. LOL

[bobincolombia]

Thanks Mark,

Your comments just confirm what most people actually living there that have moved in from else where in the mid west, so far I like what I've heard about the Ozarks, and the nice rolling hills are great.

[yarrow]

I lived in central Oklahoma for many years. We then moved to the ridgetops of western PA (I was excited to move where it didn't get so hot & sticky in the summer) Well.... got that, sure wasn't hot or sticky (wore flannel shirt and saw my breath many summer nights!) then came WINTER!!! poor thin okie blood. I'd only rarely seen snow deeper then 4 inches. We were in a snow belt in PA. (I don't think I was ever truely warm the entire 3 years we lived there LOL) Decided there had to be a *PERFECT* place somewhere (not too hot in summer, not too cold in winter. a honest to goodness spring, a beautiful fall..)... FOUND IT... for me, the perfect place is the Ozarks. We relocated to a homestead (I have a nubian goat farm) We are just outside of Alton (about 30 miles east of west plains, a dozen miles north of the AR. border) LOVE it. Sure, it gets hot, it gets sticky...but rarely does it break 100 degrees at our place. It's humid, but no more then it was in OK. (our hilltop cools down nicely at night) Winter isn't bad at all. Again, sure it gets cold, but a few days here, few days there. Not weeks or months at a time. A little bit of snow, sometimes ice. Spring comes early. Fall lasts a long time. I'm just sorry we didn't move here a decade ago.
susie, mo ozarks

[WindSongAcres]

I'm with you Yarrow - we love our little oasis. Have some close friends in Alton - on 19. Work with some nurses from Alton, too.

[furholler]

I'm in Ozark County. We live about 12 miles North of the ARK state line, and yes it gets HOT here. It usually dries up around July and rains again in late August. I will say that I did not grow up here and the old timers tell me that they have had their share of big snows (12" or better) in years past. The last 9 years that we lived here have been very mild as far as winters go. '98 was a bad ice year, the kids got out of school for Christmas and didn't go back until the end of January. I just want you to be aware that there is always a chance of nasty weather. So far it has been fair. Warmer than up North at any time of the year, usually a 10-15 degree difference. One thing is sure. If we get a couple of snowflakes on the ground, people start to freak out. I work at the local grocery and catch the brunt of it as they always think they're going to be snowed in for the rest of their lives. Good luck in your search, and the people here are very friendly and truly take an interest in you.

[Alice In TX/MO]

I'm outside of Alton, too. It has been hot here lately, but not humid like South Texas, which is what I'm used to. At least when I sweat here in southern Missouri, it evaporates instead of running down my face!

Weather-wise and for scenic beauty, I'll take the Ozarks!

[bobincolombia]

furholler, I agree about the friendly folks, I sure did notice the friendliness of the people when I was in MO.

If it's milder than Il as FolioMark says, I think I can live with that, I really want to be about 20 -30 mins. from a nice lake, so that will help make up for any slight weather dislikes, no way am I going to find spring like weather in the U.S. all year long, but I'm really leaning towards the Ozarks as a great alternative.

Thanks everyone for the VERY helpful and useful information.

[donsgal]

Originally Posted by bobincolombia

Hi & thanks for the info. I may have been in the West Plains area in April, (I think, I don't have my map handy) we traveled south of Rolla to a town called Willow Springs then we traveled west to Springfield and Cassville, then north to Stockton, the entire section is great. Will return in late Jan. to get a feel of the winter, and hopefully have some leads on some property to look at. Thanks again.

Stockton had a really bad tornado go through town about three or four years ago, it just about wiped the town off the map. It looks much different than pre-tornado days.

Cassville is good. Barry county does not have any building codes. Which is good because you don't have county "officials" breathing down your neck every time you want to build something, but it also means that the Clem-oid that lives next door doesn't have any either! It's a trade-off.

Land prices are still fairly reasonable in both places depending on what you consider reasonable. You can buy land for less than $3,000 an acre. Less if you don't mind steep hills and not much useable land (except for goats and cattle, maybe).

donsgal

[donsgal]

I live around Reeds Spring, MO. And truthfully, if I had it to do over again, I'd move to Arkansas. It is really breathtakingly beautiful there. It does not get quite as cold as Missouri (it's amazing the difference that 50 or 60 miles makes), and the summers are about the same (as near as I can tell).

Are you wanting really rural or semi rural or lake property? Henderson and Cotter, Mountain Home, they are all just fantastic.

donsgal

[Alice In TX/MO]

I meant to say that the rumor is that West Plains is about to get Lowe's and Home Depot. The Walgreens is under construction. What I hear is that the city administration is encouraging new business because of the brain drain of young people leaving in order to get employment elsewhere.

Make a detailed checklist of your dream location. We have the weather and Home Depot part. Then, post it and we'll help you zero in!

[blue gecko]

I'm in the Arkansas Ozarks and just love it. A lot of the towns have their own "flavor". If you can tell us a little about yourself including hobbies (do you play music?) and a little of what you want from your new home. Maybe we can help you hone in on an area. Also what is your definition of ideal weather (temp range wise)?

[pcdreams]

Originally Posted by Rose

I meant to say that the rumor is that West Plains is about to get Lowe's and Home Depot.

there goes the neighborhood.. or at least the local economy. But I'm guessing WP already has a Wal-mart stupid center

[FourDeuce]

Originally Posted by pcdreams

You want heat then SWMO is the place to go. hot enough 9 mths of the year to roast. Nice the other 3. LOL

I live 12 miles south of the Missouri state line, and I don't find it that hot. We watch the Springfield tv stations since they're the ones we catch best . I guess the weather is relative here in the Ozarks, too. I've been here for 15 years, and the last 3 have been without air conditioning. :baby04: This is home for me.

[Liese]

Originally Posted by Rose

I meant to say that the rumor is that West Plains is about to get Lowe's and Home Depot. The Walgreens is under construction. What I hear is that the city administration is encouraging new business because of the brain drain of young people leaving in order to get employment elsewhere.

!

Sorry to set this thread off on a tangent but I just can't resist asking why anyone would think those types of businesses will stop a "brain drain"? Low paid, part -time, a high school diploma the highest ed. requirement...Most the managers of these types of stores here in our area are brought in.

Anyway, it's nice to read about the Ozarks. Temperature wise it hasn't been up in the triple digits this summer? We've had at least a couple of actual record breaking days here - whew, come in dripping in sweat. On water patrol 4x/ day! Tough on the sheep too.

[paulaswolfpack]

Here are some newspapers from all around,paula

http://www.ozarkhorsetrader.com/listings.asp?id=4

http://www.news-journal.net/publish/cover.shtml

http://www.ozarkregionalclassifieds....x.php?a=5&b=16

http://www.usnpl.com/monews.php

http://www.newslink.org/topstate.html#Maine
for the top paper you need to scroll down and click on letter of the state.

http://www.gebbieinc.com/Weekly/mo.htm

http://www.ky3.com/
http://www.kuku.com/home.html

http://www.weekly-trader.com/classif...&main=Template

http://home.centurytel.net/westplainsdailyquill/


I hope you take the time to read some of these news papers as this is a great place to live in,taxes are low in my county Douglas county there are no building codes, I hope you can find a place there are a few owner carries around here,paula

[bobincolombia]

Thanks Paula,

I will be taking the time to read the newspaper as you suggested. I'm looking for all the info I can find.