Shout-out to SW MO folk

Pony · #1 12/02/11, 11:12 PM

How many folks here are in SW MO, specifically in the Springfield area?

What do you like about the area?

What's not working for you?

TIA!

JohnL751 · #2 12/02/11, 11:33 PM

If I had it to do over again, there is no way that I would move into Springfield and probable not into Green County.

Callieslamb · #3 12/03/11, 01:49 AM

The cashewed chicken is specific to Springfield- and it's great. You can't get it Springfield style anywhere else that I know of.

Bass Pro is a great place to visit - even if you don't fish.

Brad Pitt graduated from Kickapoo High School and might attend a reunion.

If you want a job in SW MO- Springfield is the place to be. If you want to live in the boonies- I'd go east.

nehimama · #4 12/03/11, 07:28 AM

I'm pretty sure you're not talking about moving TO S'field. The immediately surrounding areas can be painfully expensive to purchase, as most are bedroom communities for S'field.

I'm 70 miles East of S'field, located between Willow Springs & Cabool. What I like are low taxes, peaceful rural area, lax or little restrictive zoning, and some truly awesome like-minded neighbors.

However, I'm retired, and do not need a job. My needs are few, and my wants are manageable.

Are you looking at a specific area or county? Good Luck!

Pony · #5 12/03/11, 08:03 AM

Looking around Mansfield/Hartville, just for consideration right now.

JohnL, would you share why you'd not go there again?

Pony · #6 12/03/11, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nehimama

I'm pretty sure you're not talking about moving TO S'field. The immediately surrounding areas can be painfully expensive to purchase, as most are bedroom communities for S'field.

I'm 70 miles East of S'field, located between Willow Springs & Cabool. What I like are low taxes, peaceful rural area, lax or little restrictive zoning, and some truly awesome like-minded neighbors.

However, I'm retired, and do not need a job. My needs are few, and my wants are manageable.

Are you looking at a specific area or county? Good Luck!

Springfield (and, to a lesser degreee, Lebanon) seem to have jobs in our field. There is, as you note, reasonably priced, unrestricted land not too far away. Figure it's worth exploring.

Batt · #7 12/03/11, 10:00 AM

DW and I live about 50 Miles North of Springfield,near Bolivar. There are still some properties available at a decent price. I would echo what nehimama said about taxes, rural attitude etc. As long as you are in the county, but not the city. 4 lane divided hwy into Springfield. Also retired, on the lake. Looked for 2 years to find just the right place. PM if we can help.

thestartupman · #8 12/03/11, 10:16 AM

I am looking to move to the outer areas of Springfield also. Like Salem, Lebanon, or mountain grove areas.

Qhorseman · #9 12/03/11, 10:45 AM

I am up by Lake of the Ozarks. Used to have a farm in Texas County. Farmland is coming down in price around here. Farm near me recently sold for $850 an acre. Jobs are very hard to come by and nepotism is alive and well around here. Most of the small factories have shut down and moved to Mexico. Jobs are available in the major cities. I think it is better to make your own job if you can.

Ozarks Tom · #10 12/03/11, 10:57 AM

Don't move to Stone County (Galena - County Seat), about 25 miles south of Springfield. No building codes, low property taxes, rolling hills, lots of property available, haven't seen a Sheriff's deputy in 6 months, river for rafting, Table Rock Lake, near Branson. The biggest problem - that's where I live.

collegeboundgal · #11 12/03/11, 09:24 PM

Like Batt, we live north of Springfield. drive into wrk at one of the hospitals (seems like) every. day. sigh, but we LOVE where we live. (Polk co.) don't have to get a permit/inspection for every little thing (which means if u buy a house w/ barn(s), they need to be inspected REALLY good).
The worst thing going on right now in our area is the breakins. they happen in broad daylight while most people r at wrk. most go like this; burgler gets dropped off, grabs what he can, then is picked up. so no strange car/truck is seen by passerbuys. this breakins are fuled, most likely, due to meth.
winters have been sucky; summers, even more sucky. fall is nice.
pay scale is poverty level compaired to other areas, but the cost of living is lower also. good luck finding ur dream home(stead).

big rockpile · #12 12/03/11, 11:37 PM

Polk and Dallas Counties are ok.We live in Hickory.Our Son and Daughter tried to get us to move to Green County there is NO WAY!

big rockpile

**gone-a-milkin** · #13 12/04/11, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pony

Looking around Mansfield/Hartville, just for consideration right now.

That is where I live. West of Hartville a bit, in Wright county.
There are a LOT of properties for sale here.
The main thing is if you need to work, you are gonna drive aways.

My DH manages the meat dept in the grocery store in Mansfield, and I milk cows for a neighboring farmer.
Our needs are simple and we are content to live w/ less 'stuff'.

Make some lowball offers on anything you like. Lots of these places have been vacant at least a year. Many have been empty for at least 3 years.

Population is declining some the last couple years. Young folks dont have jobs so they are leaving.
There are some lovely homesteads out there for a great price.

I would love to have you for a neighbor.

Callieslamb · #14 12/04/11, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gone-a-milkin

That is where I live. West of Hartville a bit, in Wright county.
There are a LOT of properties for sale here.
The main thing is if you need to work, you are gonna drive aways.........

Oh my GAM!!! I was raised in Ava. My mom and 2 sisters are there and 2 more sisters in Springfield. I didn't know you were so close to my home town.

There are lots of rocks in SW MO - it can make gardening a challenge. But there are plenty of cheaper places in that area. My mom just sold 150 acres for $950 an acre. No house or improvements. Lots of properties are heavily treed and can be logged - if logging is making any money at the moment you sell. There is good hunting. My mom let some guys have exclusive hunting rights for years. They always got their limit and her only payment was a large ham every year.

The rivers are very good for canoes and boats. The bottoms are usually rock and the water clear.

If the area offered a good job for DH, we would live there. Not in Springfield, but close enough to shop or for entertainment. Branson is a hop and skip with lots of things going on there - a good part of them family friendly.

**gone-a-milkin** · #15 12/04/11, 01:37 AM

Branson is made of traffic and glitz. Sure it is kid-friendly, but I hyperventilate just driving in there.

Ava is a sleepy little town, and they dont call it Booger county for nothing.
The redneck mentality is still alive and well in the Ozarks. (sorry, but it is true)

The land is beautiful, the diversity of species will blow you away,
and the awareness level of a lot of the local folks in this region is about 25 years behind the west coast (IDK abiout the east coast).
None of that is exactly 'bad', but it sure can be different for newcomers.

You can do pretty much whatever you want, and so can your neighbors.
Dont forget that.

There is nowhere else quite like the Ozarks.
Personally I am loving it here, but I am a homebody who can make my own entertainment.

Some of the stories I have heard would curl anyones hair. Just saying.
People are 'friendly', but it is a good idea to mind your own business at the first.
Let the locals get used to you and go from there.

By remaining accountable and solid in our position here, we have not had any troubles at all.

big rockpile · #16 12/04/11, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gone-a-milkin

Branson is made of traffic and glitz. Sure it is kid-friendly, but I hyperventilate just driving in there.

Ava is a sleepy little town, and they dont call it Booger county for nothing.
The redneck mentality is still alive and well in the Ozarks. (sorry, but it is true)

The land is beautiful, the diversity of species will blow you away,
and the awareness level of a lot of the local folks in this region is about 25 years behind the west coast (IDK abiout the east coast).
None of that is exactly 'bad', but it sure can be different for newcomers.

You can do pretty much whatever you want, and so can your neighbors.
Dont forget that.

There is nowhere else quite like the Ozarks.
Personally I am loving it here, but I am a homebody who can make my own entertainment.

Some of the stories I have heard would curl anyones hair. Just saying.
People are 'friendly', but it is a good idea to mind your own business at the first.
Let the locals get used to you and go from there.

By remaining accountable and solid in our position here, we have not had any troubles at all.

Yelp people think I'm full of it but you mind your own Business or you come home to a bunch Dead Cows and Dogs and pile of ashes where your house was.

Bad thing is and I have seen this,next Sunday when your asking for help at Church the people guilty of doing this is setting on each side of you.But keep in mind The Lord will take care of them.

big rockpile

glenn amolenaar · #17 12/04/11, 08:12 AM

Yes to what gone-a-milking and big rockpile said, been here over 30 years what they said we find true.
Glenn

Graham · #18 12/04/11, 10:22 AM

McDonald County here, so you can't get more SW MO than here. The only thing wrong with it is the name. It should be changed to Paradise County. People mind their business, but if you are found wanting, they will be right there for you. Beautiful country, decent property prices, and if you don't mind driving south of the state line for jobs it's pretty much perfect.

Mark Twain · #19 12/04/11, 01:12 PM

DW and I fell in love with our little slice of heaven and here is why...

Pony · #20 12/04/11, 07:19 PM

We do love the Ozarks. Visited with Ozark Jewels this weekend, and drove up to our daughter's place mid-state by going on 95 for a bit, then through Mark Twain on 32, then up A to C and it was just gorgeous.

We need to go where we can get paying work, but still want to have a few acres (cannot live without goats ever again!) and prefer to at least live away from the 4 lane highway, even if we do end up working there for a bit.