Looking to move.

[Cali BassMan]

Got some good info going on here.....

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by Lake Junkie

Hello again my shivverin' friend...Plains 10 has a good point.

Even in my "area" if you drive winding 2 lane roads about 45-55 minutes, you can find a remote little corner of the Ozarks that might suit your fancy, but still be within a helicopter ride of the hospital or an easy weekly trip for groceries.

Might be a good ideee to identify a good major town and then draw a big circle around it...find something in an "outlying" area.

Lake Junkie,
A helicopter ride to (any) hospital would be a little too rural even for me LOL
If you look at the maps Wayne county is in the more isolated section of the Ozarks, unless you consider Poplar Bluff a big town. However, I have never been to that town.

Additional Info for the Minnesota poster: According to Mapquest Greenville is about a 40 minute drive to Poplar Bluff, or a 1 hour 20 minute full trip. That would be a lot of driving if a lot of the services you need are in Poplar Bluff. It may be more advisable to consider an area closer to the town itself in Butler County.

[Lake Junkie]

Originally Posted by Plains10

Lake Junkie,
A helicopter ride to (any) hospital would be a little too rural even for me LOL

I'm with you, Plains...I don't like to be more than 10 minutes from a home improvement warehouse or a nice wine selection!
But some of our brethren want boonies...my grandma used to say, "To each his own said the old lady as she kissed her cow..."



I do appreciate you trying to help people avoid a mistake...and it is hard when you're out in a depressed area to "re-sell" if you change your mind...

[GraniteStater]

Here is the Wayne County demographic data:
I would think carefully before relocating to this county because according to the census data non-farm employment change was a -20.4% between 2000-2005.
Wayne County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau

Here is the Butler County demographic data:
The non-farm employment is growing in this county that includes the town of Poplar Bluff. Population density is 58 persons per square mile. This is still quite rural.
Butler County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau

[2beamissourian]

Maybe you should list your hobbies ... what you want in an area .... what your likes or dislikes are ..and culture could play into a roll here as well.

We have our farm for sale hoping to move next year ..so I have been looking around ...

I tell ya those sites with the Chamber on them are good resources ... I read those and then I look for web blogs (yes I am a dork sorry) and I also find a Realtor in the area and look at the property that is for sale ............ get a feel for the homes and the price ranges ........ I also drive the folks on here nuts with my questions!

Ill be happy when I hear ..."Welcome Home" ...... cuz after making a few visits my heart is hung in Missouri!

[ShadowCaver]

Few other sites that might be of interest regarding Wayne County:
Wayne County, Missouri
http://www.waynecojournalbanner.com/
2002 Economic Census: Summary Statistics by 2002 NAICS - Wayne County, MO

[zeldaII]

I know southeast mo pretty well and a lot of what's been said here is correct, but if you are looking to retire, as you said, then this might be the place for you. You really need to go there and spend some time because there will be a huge culture shock as already stated. It is definitely more redneck in this area. I'm not speaking of this town specifically but of the area.

My family comes from the Doniphan area in Ripley CO. (very economically depressed) I just visited there looking for property and have decided on Van Buren. Poplar Bluff is the hub for this area. I believe the population for PB is around 16,500, but it is much larger and has a lot more stores than a town of that documented size because it is a hub. Great hospitals, especially the VA hospital which is important to me.

The area you are talking about is very pretty, laid back, low traffic and has access to lot's of water. Good luck. Deanna

[GraniteStater]

Yes, I would agree with the other posters. It would be a very good idea to visit southeast Missouri to see if it would be a good fit for you. Just be prepared for a huge culture shock if you are coming from Minnesota. I am always impressed about how well the rural areas of Minnesota are doing compared with the rural areas of many other states. As other people have stated Poplar Bluff is definitely the regional center for the entire area.