if you could choose: Springfield, Rolla, West Plains (St. Louis, Branson: college, quality of life)

[lance1215]

If finding a job were not a factor which town would you rather live near/ raise a family in- Springfield, Rolla or West Plains- Why?

[stepka]

For me personally I would choose West Plains but partly that's because I have more friends there than in the other 2 towns. It's also quite beautiful around there but it is around the other 2 also. It has a really cute little downtown area. If you like river floating, this is the town to choose. It's the town that was featured in Winter's Bone and locals have told me the book and movie are pretty accurate.

If I chose S/F, it would be because I wanted to be closer to shopping opps and the area around Rogersville is some of the prettiest country I've seen anywhere. Also, better job opps but you said that's not a factor here. If you like Branson and Table Rock Lake, they're close by.

I also think Rolla is in a pretty area and I'm not as familiar with it but it's only about 1 hour 45 min from St. Louis, so that's handy. Also, I can't speak for Rolla but I imagine it's the same as the other two, in that drugs and religion are out of proportion in equal measure.

[ozarksboy]

Originally Posted by lance1215

If finding a job were not a factor which town would you rather live near/ raise a family in- Springfield, Rolla or West Plains- Why?

Springfield, of course, because it has a huge mall and a Starbucks. Both are so important to a quality of life.

Rolla and West Plains do not have either. Well, I don't think WP has a Starbucks. It might. Rolla, I hear, is getting a Starbucks booth/kiosk on campus, but that's awfully inconvenient. You won't be able to stop and get a latte without walking half a mile and then you might go back to your car and find a campus parking ticket.

Nope, Springfield is your choice. No brainer.

[GunnerTHB]

Originally Posted by ozarksboy

Springfield, of course, because it has a huge mall and a Starbucks. Both are so important to a quality of life.

Rolla and West Plains do not have either. Well, I don't think WP has a Starbucks. It might. Rolla, I hear, is getting a Starbucks booth/kiosk on campus, but that's awfully inconvenient. You won't be able to stop and get a latte without walking half a mile and then you might go back to your car and find a campus parking ticket.

Nope, Springfield is your choice. No brainer.

They already sell Starbucks on campus and have for 2 years now. lol

[SW Missouri Dave]

Originally Posted by GunnerTHB

They already sell Starbucks on campus and have for 2 years now. lol

And I thought this whole 2012 end of the world stuff was just nonsense.

The end is truly near

[ozarksboy]

Originally Posted by GunnerTHB

They already sell Starbucks on campus and have for 2 years now. lol

Well, that's exactly my point. It's inconvenient for town residents to get on campus. Glad you college boys and girls have got Starbucks here in little ole Rolla.

[GunnerTHB]

Originally Posted by ozarksboy

Well, that's exactly my point. It's inconvenient for town residents to get on campus. Glad you college boys and girls have got Starbucks here in little ole Rolla.

Right.....like I give a damn bout some overpriced coffee. I drink my coffee black anyway. I'm from a dead end gravel road 13 miles outside of Cape so you aint talkin to no city boy.

[dusky_beauty]

Originally Posted by GunnerTHB

They already sell Starbucks on campus and have for 2 years now. lol

The little "frappuchino" glass bottles don't count! lol

There's nothing "in theory" wrong with coffee bars, In fact I have an affinity for "Dutch Brothers" as a holdover from oregon, but starbucks.... it's such a corporate cliche'.

Lookin forward to seeing how this thread goes! opinions on this matter might weigh in to my own preferences.

[Curmudgeon]

I vote fer Rolla 'cause OB's there keepin' the riff raff out!

[SW Missouri Dave]

Originally Posted by lance1215

If finding a job were not a factor which town would you rather live near/ raise a family in- Springfield, Rolla or West Plains- Why?

That is a difficult question, since each reader has their own personal preferences on how they would define an ideal living situation. I have lived near Springfield my entire life, so I can only speak to the positive and negative of this immediate area.

For my own personal preference, knowing what I know today, I would have to agree with stepka and vote West Plains. But that statement comes down to one major reason. Elbow room.

People moving into the surrounding areas of Springfield in search of a 'life in the country' are slowly pushing the country out for those of us who once had it.

Someone from West Plains or Rolla may disagree with me, but while all three areas may be suffering from a similar fate, West Plains appears to have the least economic draw, and should see a lesser degree of migration. Meaning they may be able to hold onto 'country life' as it used to be, a little longer than the other two.

Good luck in your research.